Focus 4 U are intent on ensuring that we are at the forefront of new technologies within the communications industry. Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoiP) will be the first significant technological advancement in the industry in the 21st Century. It will revolutionise the way in which we use the telephone. Principally it aims to allow people to make voice calls for free.

As with most new technologies, the jury is still out as to how quickly it will integrate into what is already a very diverse marketplace. Many things need to change before VoiP can replace the traditional telephone, not least of which is the physical network of copper cable and local BT exchanges scattered all over the UK.

VoiP for the residential market is already big business with Skype making the biggest waves. They claim to be adding 150,000 customers per day worldwide and have already had 54 million people download the software. Ebay have just bought Skype for $2.6 billion in up-front cash and Ebay stock. This is big business!

To become commercially attractive, VoiP has to circumnavigate a number of technical hurdles including the lack of Quality of Service (QOS) on ADSL lines and the high cost of replacing existing hardware.

BT's 21st Century Network will provide the backbone necessary to facilitate the mass introduction of VoiP services throughout the UK . The first phase of testing was completed in late 2006 and indications are that 21CN will commence in 2009 and take until early 2012 to complete.

We will keep you updated as things progress…..

If you would like to discuss how VoiP may be of benefit to your business call us now on 01273 827410 or email us at sales@focus4u.co.uk