The Trouble with VoIP

Although VoIP is being marketed as the next big universal solution, it is not without its share of problems. The promoters of VoIP originally said that the new VoIP service was going to save money in the long run but companies claim that added layers of management and security are needed for VoIP. As with any new form of technology, while it may seem new and original in its design at first, it always comes with a fair portion of VoIP trouble.

Hacking Trouble on VoIP

VoIP is said to be very susceptible to hacking; it is much easier to hack into than a traditional phone line. Like any data, it is susceptible to denial of services as well as viruses that can ruin and corrupt hardware and software. There is also the issue that VoIP users are very susceptible to spam, receiving voicemails for advertisements for such products as Viagra, cheap mortgages and adult related content. This leads on to the issue that expensive filtering devises will have to be purchased to get rid of these unnecessary extras so that consumers are not bothered by them. Not all VoIP devices come with such devices.

Critics are saying that spam on the internet with VoIP can become common, it being as simple as pressing a button to send a large VoIP customer recipient list an audio file containing a telemarketer message. This has been names as SPIT  Spam over Internet Technology, and is very common on the internet today, and has been the trouble of email users since the internet began.

Security

Since VoIP is internet based, it is no more secure than email and so as more people use it, security issues will become more common because those who seemingly enjoy annoying people will get enjoyment from doing so in a new medium over the internet. This spells complete VoIP trouble.

Echo and other VoIP Trouble

Echo is a major VoIP trouble issue. There is said to be a large amount of echo when a call is made from VoIP to PSTN (public switched telephone network). Calls are also said to drop at any time without warning and peoples voices are said to be fuzzy. There is also a major issue relating to 911 and emergency services. If a server is disconnected without warning with no other form of communication available, and a person needs to contact emergency services, this could cause despair and trouble. The VoIP servers have been known to be unpredictable which could lead to human or financial loss in the worst case scenario.