IP Telephony

communications (IPT, Internet Telephony) Use of IP data

connections to exchange voice and fax data that have

traditionally been carried over the public switched telephonenetwork.

During the late 1990s, an increasing number of telephone calls

have been routed over the Internet. Calls made in this way

avoid PSTN charges. Unlike traditional telephony, IP

telephony is relatively unregulated.

Companies providing these services are known as InternetTelephony Service Providers (ITSPs). They include telephone

companies, cable TV companies and Internet Service Providers

(ISPs).

There are still many problems with voice quality, latency,

compression algorithms, and quality of service.

Voice over IP is an organised effort to standardise IP

telephony.

See also Computer Telephone Integration.

Internet Telephony Overview.

(1999-03-17)