Week 9: Reflection
I have heard of VoIP for such a long time, but have never really looked into it. I think I actually had a subscription with ComCast for their IP Phone before. It was pretty cheap compared to what my mom would spend on Qwest, since she’d make some long distance calls. The problem we encounter was that the connector outside the building between cables were bad, so it made the calls dropped frequently, and not clear at all as advertised. Then again…. why did my parents or I ever trust the advertisement? :-p So we ended up switching back to Qwest and paying outrageous rate again… wonderful.
What bugs me about this article is that we don’t really know when it was written. I’m not sure if some of the “disadvantages” actually have been improved or not. Also, if there are more ways to use VoIP or not.
VoIP is definitely good in bringing us the variety to keep connected with our friends/family through the old service of telephone, but with different technology that gives the very similar outcome, or product. Then again, how often do we really use the phone now? So I guess to us, it wouldn’t matter so much. It might be useful to companies, I assume. The small companies would save a lot of money in their regular telephone service. The giant corporate will save some pennies for themselves. I guess it works all around.
The disadvantage does not seem too big for me. I guess the 911 is a big thing, but then again, who reads this post has no cell phone? I guess there might be one or two, but I think it’s safe to assume that you don’t make many phone calls either. Therefore, for those of you without cell phones are still safe and cheap to use the regular telephone. For those who has the cell phone… why would it really matter that you need to call 911 from your VoIP when your power failed? Maybe the security system for Brink (home security system) or something.
What do I think VoIP will impact the telephone and cable networks? I would assume that it will be big for businesses but small in normal population. The phone service will be the same, may not get richer, but I am sure they will be OK. Also, the cable infrastructure may grow a bit more if some people here and there want it. They need a cable to get there, eh? So overall, I guses it is a good system, but it just comes out a bit too late to be as useful as it could have been a decade ago.
Questions:
1. Will the VoIP make cable network expand their infrastructure?
2. Will VoIP save big companies some bucks? or will they find a way to screw the businesses anyway?
3. If the VoIP break through and became the telephone service of choice, will the developers work on them more regularly?
Well voip is nice for those big companies because all inter company communication is all free since you’re already paying for the internet service. When i do a video chat with my friends from long distances i’m not paying a ridiculous rate for data phones or anything crazy like that and its kinda nice.
in response to this question, “For those who has the cell phone… why would it really matter that you need to call 911 from your VoIP when your power failed?”
I was in a big earthquake before, and our cell phone service was out! We couldn’t even call 911 if we wanted to, we had to run all over the house looking for a regular plug-in phone to plug into the wall outlet (we had all cordless phones), so I definitely think this is a big issue. Plus, what if your cell phone happened to be out of batteries..?
If VoIP can be more cost effective and dependable, i think we will all make the switch over sooner or later? But I doubt it will take over the WHOLE traditional land line phone market, and yes, qwest is SO expensive!
It was interesting to read that you have actually tried the service and weren’t to happy with it. The problem you experienced is the one that makes me feel that VoIP is not the right choice, at least not yet. Dropped calls and bad connections are something that we do not deal with on the POTS system and I think that a lot of people would not be willing to give that up. Although I do agree that with improvements we may see a change.
I definitely think improvements in the quality of VoIP calls will be something that’ll very quickly pickup as soonn as people realize the potential. I think people are a bit hesitant to look into something new since theyre all used to standard cellular phones. But like many things, i think this will find its way to households sooner or later.