Voip is Hot. It is radically transforming the world of Telecommunications. Carriers and Enterprises are abandoning (sometimes irrationally) their traditonal circuit switched infrastructure in favor of VoIP. New players have emerged to provide inexpensive phone services over the Internet to consumers. Net-based carriers of carriers, the so called wholesale service providers are renting their private Net-based networks to carry voice traffic from other phone companies. Every one wants to be in the game. Even the Entertainment Media, just look at the ABC News Site below.

Voice over IP has been around for many years. The question is Why Now? We have scoured the Web for qualified and informed resources to piece together a complete picture presented in this guide. We present our views and share with you what other experts have said on the subject in their own words.

Use the topics on the right to browse and navigate through the information. For each topic, you will see a brief summary and a list of selected resources. Click on any link for a direct access to the relevant information from the listed resource.

Let us start with a broad overview of the field. What is it? What is driving it? Who is using it? What are its benefits and challenges? What new compelling applications and services are enabled by it? Who are the new players to provide the new services? How does it impact the existing market leaders? Which VoIP protocol is the likely winner and why should you care.

Let us then dive into some technical details of the popular protocols and standards necessary so that the products from different vendors can work with each other.

For an Enterprise, Voice over IP products include IP PBX, IP Phones, IP Gateways, IP GateKeepers, Unified Messaging, Conferencing, Internet Call Centers and many more applications and solutions. Some of these product are introduced here: first in general terms and then by the specific models available from the market leaders. Where possible, a round up of the products is also included.

Stay tuned for many more additions and real-time updates to the VoIP Guide.