Satellite
VoIP
The
market of VoIP has been expanding rapidly over the past few years. VoIP
allows the transmission of voice signals over the internet, giving the
customers great savings in local and long distance fee. VoIP works well
with broadband connection such as cable and DSL. However, Satellite VoIP
still faces many technical difficulties and its potential is not fully
explored. So why is satellite VoIP so difficult to accomplish?
For
those who live in remote areas and cannot get access to cable or DSL
internet service, satellite internet is their only choice to get high speed
connection. Although many satellite internet users would like to have VoIP
installed, both the VoIP and satellite companies are still working to solve
the technical problems associated with satellite connection.
The main
problem with satellite VoIP is the latency issue. Latency refers to the
amount of time the data travel up to the satellite and back to earth (about
70,000 km). The round trip will cause a signal delay up to 500 to 900
milliseconds. For high quality VoIP service, the latency should not exceed
250 milliseconds. A longer latency may cause disruption of VoIP signals.
Two
other factors that will affect VoIP quality are jitter and packet loss.
Jitter is a variation of packet delay arriving at the
receiver. Excessive jitter can make speech choppy and difficult to
understand. VoIP packet loss occurs when a large amount of traffic on the
network causes dropped packets. This results in dropped conversations,
signal delay, or extraneous noise on the call.
Satellite
internet providers also need to prioritize the voice packets in order to
make VoIP work. All packet switched networks are subject to congestion. If
the voice packets are not prioritized and placed in specific order, the
voice signals will be scrambled, resulting in poor call quality.
In fact,
many customers who have tried VoIP service with Satellite reported these
problems:
1)
they hear the voice from the other
end but they cannot talk back
2)
dropped calls
3)
calls not connecting at all
4)
static sound
5)
poor call quality as if they are
hearing someone underwater
6)
choppy voice signals
Both
HughesNet and Vonage, the largest Satellite and VoIP provider respectively,
have warned customers of the latency issue of satellite VoIP and they do not
recommend using VoIP service with satellite at this moment. However, given
the benefits of VoIP service for customers living in the rural areas,
satellite VoIP is definitely an area worth further research and
exploration.
Definition of VoIP
VoIP for Small Business
Best VoIP Providers
Advantages and Disadvantages of VoIP
VoiP International Calls
Ten Tips for Choosing a VoIP Provider
Satellite VoIP
Virtual Telephone Number
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