KEY POINTS:
A Dunedin tech company has put another nail in the coffin of old-fashioned telephone networks.
VentureVoIP Ltd, a New Zealand-owned technology company, has launched what they are claiming is "the world's first VoIP end-to-end telecommunications solution".
VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol.
"Low cost, high quality VoIP calls are now available here in New Zealand", the company said in a statement.
With a broadband internet connection, a VoIP user can get all the benefits of their current telephone system - and more.
"Features such as conference calls and video conferencing are available at no cost, and many companies will be able to reduce their ongoing telecommunication costs by reducing their call costs and in some cases the number of fixed lines required", said VentureVoIP chairman, Ian Lamb.
VentureVoIP's solution is delivered through ConduIT3, a VoIP based PBX (Private Branch eXchange) designed for business in tandem with its own exchange network.
VentureVoIP's own exchange handles all telecommunications traffic, both in New Zealand and internationally. The company has partnered with VoIP carriers in New Zealand and around the world.
VoIP is well grounded in countries like the US, Japan and the UK, although the technology is has not been introduced without a number of teething problems, ie:
* conversation is prone to simply drop out from time to time, when IP 'packets' (the bits of data) get lost or delayed between users;
* the lack of encryption means there are security issues;
* the system relies on a constant and reliable broadband service, which ISPs cannot guarantee 100 per cent;
* VoIP calls are not ideal for emergency services, as the location of the caller can never be ascertained (unlike a fixed-line call); and, finally,
* there is no internationally accepted similar standard for VoIP networks at this stage.
Still, the people behind Dunedin's VentureVoIP are optimistic that today's launch of their service heralds an exciting new era.
"This is another example of Kiwi ingenuity putting us at the forefront of telecommunications technology", said Mr Lamb.
