Voice Over IP (VoIP)

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Voice Over IP (VoIP) On A Shoe String

Tim Shelton Landau Uniforms tim.shelton_at_landau.com
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Evolution of cheap communication

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(VoIP)Voice Over IP

• What is it?
• Way of utilizing the internet for telephone
  conversations
• Why is it beneficial?
• Lower cost and convenience - Significantly less
  expensive than typical telephone long distance
  packages.
• One high speed internet connection can serve for
  multiple phone lines

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VoIP Using

• Skype
• Software that allows you make free calls over the
  internet to anyone else who also has the service.
  It's free and easy to download and use, and it
  works with most computers. Skype offers free
  global telephony and unlimited voice calls.
• Most popular VoIP application (171 million users)
• It was reported that nine million concurrent
  Skype users were online on January 29, 2007.

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Skype Features

• Standard features
• Talking free to other Skype users
• Conference call with up to nine total Skype users
• Video calls on Skype
• File transfers
• Chat (instant messaging)
• Secure Communication using encryption
• Optional features
• SkypeOut - Make phone calls to landlines
• SkypeIn Receive phone calls from landlines
• Skype Voicemail
• And more

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Sample Skype Out Rates
Country Rate Per Minute
China .02
Egypt .21
Honduras .41
Mexico .02
Nicaragua .25
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Using Skype

• Skype as a telephone
• Skype can be used as a conventional telephone
  (great for international calling)
• Particularly useful on laptops for the traveller
• Sense of presence know if recipient is online
  (can switch off)
• Instant messaging
• Additional features
• Integration with Web browser (sharing browsing)
• Video Skype
• Skype Me icons on Web pages

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The Down Side

• Skype is proprietary (can't talk to other VoIP
  applications)
• Do I want people to see when I'm online?
• Firewalls might have to be configured to allow
  Skype traffic
• How reliable is it? No service level guarantees.
• Sometimes gets resistance from IT department

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How Do I Start Taking Advantage Of Skype?

• 2 Easy Steps
• 1. Download Skype software from www.skype.com
• 2. Purchase a Skype phone or headset

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Skype Demo
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Questions?