Networking This Week: Beware The VoIP Boom?

It should come as no surprise that VoIP is booming --- and that vendors worldwide are rushing to cash in. Just how big is the boom? Consider this: This week Canadian broadband equipment maker Sandvine reported that more than 1,100 VoIP providers worldwide had opened shop by the first week of April.

So what's wrong with a boom? Sandvine warned that this unprecedented growth may be beginning to strain many ISPs, which may mean a degradation in network performance, and unhappy customers. To combat the problem, the company and urged ISPs to structure their networks to make sure high quality service is delivered to end subscribers.

It's not just quality of service that you need to worry about with VoIP. Many enterprises think deploying VoIP is as simple as plugging in a few IP telephones. The reality is much messier, so companies should watch out for common VoIP myths when deploying.

This week, though, saw a solution to one nagging VoIP problem --- the fact that VoIP services aren't hooked into the 911 emergency system, and so if you're a VoIP user, you could be in big trouble if you need to reach the police or fire department fast. Verizon dialed up a 911 solution this week, though. It worked with VoIP companies and vendors, and cooked up a way to route VoIP calls so that they appear in emergency response centers just as wireline and wireless 911 calls do.

As always, there was other news this week. IPTV is increasingly in the news, with a report coming out from Forrester warning that Telcos face a tough road deploying IPTV, are far behind cable companies in deployment, and will cost billions to catch up. Also in the news: Alcatel inked a deal to provide an IPTV Network For Swisscom.There's more, as well, and much more coming up. To keep up with the latest, check out Networking Pipeline's News section.

Links in This Story

VoIP Providers Boom Worldwide

Rapid VoIP Growth Threatens Quality Of Service

Six Myths About VoIP Verizon Dials Up 911 VoIP Solution

Telcos Face Tough Road Deploying IPTV: Report

Alcatel Inks Deal To Provide IPTV Network For Swisscom

Networking Pipeline's News section