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Voice over IP: What's Next?Voice over IP: What's Next?
An Application Developer's Perspective
Mass Software Council
Technology Trends Forum
Oct 5, 2004
Stephen [email protected]
VoIP in the NewsVoIP in the News
Michael Powell [Chairman FCC] experienced Skype and said, "The world now will change inevitably."
… … and many moreand many more
17% of large enterprises in Canada were using IP telephony during the first
three months of 2003. 23% had plans to adopt it within 12 months.
-- IDC Canada
Why the Momentum to VoIP?Why the Momentum to VoIP?
Key Technology EnablersMoore's lawBroadband penetration to the residence / businessGlut of worldwide fiber & data connectivityMatur(ing) approach to QoS
Lower CostsMore efficient use of network resourcesUse of general purpose computer technology makes it inexpensive to build and to scale
FlexibilityThe end user devices and internal networking nodes are “just” computersChange the software to add new capabilities
VoIP SpectrumVoIP Spectrum
Traditional Telecomm Segments in transition to VoIPInternational Low cost callingInternal networks of large carriersNumerous equipment makers, software providersResidential VoIP phone service
This area is exploding: Vonage, Packet8, Broadvoice …Office PBX systems
Using VoIP inside a company location, and between corporate branchesCall Center
Instant MessagingNot only the traditional big 3, but newcomers like Skype …
Consumer and Business Application AreasVoice applicationsInternet applicationsExecutable End user applications (.exe’s …)
An Application Developer’s Perspective
Carrier
App
Some Comments about Voice ...Some Comments about Voice ...
People love to talkThe POTS telephone handset constrains the experience of talking remotely:
Cumbersome to establish communicationNo guarantee or even probability of reaching who you wantInteraction limited solely to voice
With VoIP, it’s not only Voice …The Question Becomes:
What can you do with Voice … connected with Data …connected with Video …
connected with Computing Platforms?
Huge potential for end user applications!
Voice Application ExampleVoice Application Example
Typical inbound IVR application
www.talkingstreet.com
Voice Application ExampleVoice Application Example
Challenge: Geographic expansion
www.talkingstreet.com
Voice Application ExampleVoice Application Example
Traditional Voice Model1-800 ?
At 5 – 10 cents a minute, economics don’t work for something that is a $5.95 sales item
Local Platform and TelcoHigh Capex per cityOverprovisioning of TelcoLong lead times, inflexible
International?Need specialized PSTN hardware
VoIP InboundOne centralized IVR platform, based upon commodity hardwareLow cost call deliveryAccess to any US Market, and adjacent global marketsCommon platforms with web site, mobile SMS / MMS platformData arrives on same platform as voice (e.g. GPS)Fewer technologies / skill sets
Web Application (hypothetical) Web Application (hypothetical) ExampleExample
Context sensitive click-to-callCombination of data plus voice provides capability for a rich interactionIdeal for a smart e-Commerce application
Requires a VoIP User Agent residing on the customers platform
This is not ubiquitous todayNo Web plugins todayComing …
For now, well suited to community sites where the provider has enough of a relationship to ask the users to download an executable
Executable Applications …Executable Applications …
The dream of “convergence” is happening, it's just taking longer. The Voice (and Video) piece is dropping into place for ...
Video PhonesConferencingCollaboration ToolsDistance Learning / TrainingTele-medicine, tele-repair, tele-…On-line gamingDating Applications
VoIP carriers such as Vonage and Skype are rolling out developer kits and programs to encourage innovation, similar to the wireless industry promoting application development on their platforms
Look to the EastKorea 80% BroadbandJapan 20% Voice over Broadband
Result is many video applications
Video ring tonesIM VideoPush-to-”Video”Adult
How to integrate Voice into an How to integrate Voice into an ApplicationApplication
Need to deliver a call to or from your customer
Need to select a carrierConnectivity to the PSTN? Or over the public internet?Inbound? Outbound? Both?Need to determine protocols and interfacesControlled environment or open to the worldQoS and latency
Need to process a call at your application
Key questions:Volume of calls?At your site, or on a customers PC?Inbound? Outbound?
Software stacks / SDKCommercialOpen Source
Or, Hardware solutionSecurity and network infrastructure
Problems and PitfallsProblems and Pitfalls
Numerous protocols – SIP, RTP (2833, H.323, MGCP, SCCP, MSCP, …)
Lots of options [too many!] for commercial and open source stacksSignificant work just to understand offerings, not apples-to-applesMany are immature
Carrier OfferingsNot apples-to-apples
Some technical problems …Firewalls and NAT
SecurityRegulatory, Taxation
You need strong tech people, you need to allocate ongoing time to tracking the industry!
The Industry is Rapidly Evolving!
End User Application Example: End User Application Example: Building a better phoneBuilding a better phone
Improving Call EstablishmentBuilt-in Address BookPersonalizationFind Me / Follow Me servicesPresenceEasy establishment of conferences
Improving Message ManagementInternet GUI for managing VoiceMailUnified MessagingSaving Conversations not just messages
This might be a hardware device, or it might be a “soft phone”, or it might be a hybrid software application with a USB phone.
Cell Phones are ahead in many ways:
Address Book IntegrationDevice personalization
Ringtone, Wallpaper, Ringback
Sophisticated AlertsCall Logs
Customers will expect these features as standard in the next 5 years!
Consumer andOffice PBX Applications!
