VOIP and the “Last Mile” 1

Voice over IP (VoIP) 2

In voice over IP (VoIP), calls are digitized, packetized, and transported over an IP network: either an internal IP network or the Internet. In voice over IP (VoIP), calls are digitized, packetized, and transported over an IP network: either an internal IP network or the Internet. 6-3

Voice over IP (VoIP) A media gateway connects a VoIP network to the PSTN. This gives VoIP users access To PSTN users. The media gateway must translate between both signaling technology and transport technology. A media gateway connects a VoIP network to the PSTN. This gives VoIP users access To PSTN users. The media gateway must translate between both signaling technology and transport technology. 6-4

6-5 VoIP VoIP means that a firm does not have to maintain two networks—an IP network for data and a circuit- switched voice network. –This should reduce costs considerably by only requiring the maintenance of a single network. In addition, VoIP’s packet switching should be more efficient than the PSTN’s circuit switching. But companies have concerns about sound quality and the high availability expected of telephone service. 6-5

VoIP Signaling and Transport Again, signaling is the transmission of supervisory messages. Transport is the actual transmission of voice. 6-6

VoIP Signaling and Transport VoIP transport consists of a stream of VoIP packets. Each VoIP packet contains a short amount codec-encoded voice. There is no time to wait for error correction, so UDP is used. The Real Time Protocol (RTP) header “fixes” weaknesses of UDP. First, the RTP has a sequence number to place packets in order. Second, RTP has a time stamp so that the voice steam can be played back at the correct time. 6-7

VoIP Codecs CodecTransmission Rate G kbps G kbps G.72248, 56, 64 kbps G , 32 kbps G , 6.4 kbps G.723.1A5.3, 6.3 kbps G.72616, 24, 32, 40 kbps G kbps G.729AB8 kbps The two phones must use the same codec to encode and decode voice. They must agree on one of several standard codec protocols through negotiation. Generally, more compression gives lower sound quality but lowers transmission cost 6-8

Wired “Last Mile” Services Telephone Modems ADSL Modem Service Cable Modem Service Fiber to the Home 9

“Traditional” Technologies for the Last Mile The Last Mile –The access line to your home –Traditionally, a 1-pair VG UTP line from the telephone company –In the 1960s, a few businesses started getting 2-pair data-grade UTP and optical fiber –Given the cost of upgrading the 1-pair VG UTP plant, 1- pair VG UTP seemed eternal 6-10

“Traditional” Technologies for the Last Mile Telephone Service and Cable TV –1950s brought cable television service Used coaxial cable with a central wire and a coaxial conductive ring or mesh Telephone companies controlled broadcast telephone service Cable companies controlled television delivery service 6-11

“Traditional” Technologies for the Last Mile Telephone modems obsolete(I hope nobody uses it anymore) –Limited to 33.6 kbps sending / 56 kbps receiving –Cannot use your telephone for calls while using the telephone modem 6-12

Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) Like telephone modems, ADSL also uses the existing 1-pair voice-grade UTP line going to the home; but it offers higher speeds than telephone modems +ADSL2 6-13

Telephone Modems and ADSL Both use the 1-pair VG UTP line running to the subscriber’s home –Already installed, so no extra cost of running a new line Telephone modems send analog signals –This is what the traditional telephone system expects ADSL –Send digital signals for data (digital subscriber line) –Requires special equipment at the end office switch (DSLAM) 6-14

Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) Unlike telephone modem services, ADSL provides simultaneous voice and data. The phone line is not tied up 6-15

Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) Speed is asymmetric. Faster downstream (to home) speed than upstream (from the home) speed. This is ideal for World Wide Web downloads. Speeds are increasing rapidly in both directions. 6-16

Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) Home user needs a splitter for each telephone outlet Connects a phone to the splitter voice port Connects an ADSL modem To the splitter data port 6-17

Cable Modem Service Optical fiber brings signals to and from the neighborhood. Thick coaxial cables carry signals in the neighborhood. 6-18

ADSL Versus Cable Modem Service Generally, cable modem service is somewhat faster and not more expensive than ADSL service –However, price and performance ranges overlap –And performance is increasing rapidly In cable modem service, all subscribers in a neighborhood must share the speed –However, cable modem speed to the neighborhood is very high, so cable modem subscribers usually still get higher-than-ADSL speeds –And other subscribers cannot read a subscriber’s transmissions, which are encrypted 6-19

Fiber to the Home Some carriers are beginning to replace their 1-pair voice grade UTP residential wiring with optical fiber This is called fiber to the home or fiber to the premises Download speeds vary. See Verizon FIOS.Verizon FIOS Not more expensive than DSL service. See FIOS and COMCAST comparison.comparison 6-20

Wireless Access Service Wireless Technologies for the Last Mile 21

Wireless for the Last Mile 3G Cellular Data Transmission –3G cellular was created to send data faster current services offer DSL speeds at higher prices 2 Mbps to 3 Mbps speeds are even more expensive Consumer usage is dominating with downloading music, videos, and games 6-22

Wireless for the Last Mile Cellular companies are still using many 3G technologies Cellular companies are introducing faster 4G service –100 Mbps or more –Using Long-Term Evolution (LTE) –Which is IP-based 6-23

Wireless for the Last Mile WiMAX Metropolitan Area Networks –Designed to compete with DSL, cable modem service, and 3G and 4G cellular service –Designed to serve a metropolitan area –Users can get service anywhere, not just at hotspots 6-24

Wireless for the Last Mile WiMAX Metropolitan Area Networks –Promised to be faster than 3G service at lower cost Mobile subscribers with omnidirectional antennas could receive speeds at the lower end Fixed subscribers in homes with directional antennas could receive at the higher end The largest WiMAX network was created by Clearwire in the US. Sprint acquired Clearwire and converted their users for LTE and will shutdown WiMAX in

4G LTE Services Standards are the same as for cellular 4G LTE Evolving market offerings –Verizon 4G LTE Internet (Installed) a variety of Internet and routers providing wireless connection to home and office. see link at bottom of the page.link –AT&T Wireless Home Phone & Internet prices vary based on data usage. see link at bottom of the page.link –Mobile hotspots an alternative to have Internet connection for devices without a 4G LTE antenna (e.g. Laptops, tablets, etc). Cost of the device, plus provider monthly fee. 6-26

Wireless for the Last Mile Satellite Access Service –Very expensive because of long transmission distance to satellites Hundreds to thousands of miles from the user site One-way transmission, which is used in television delivery, is not too expensive Two-way data transmission is complex and therefore expensive 6-27

6-28 The Market Situation 28

The Market Situation The Triple Play –The goal of access carriers Telephony companies Cable television companies Wireless access companies –Provide telephony, data, and video in a package –Video is the hardest People want multiple incoming TV signals They also want HDTV 6-29

The Market Situation The International Situation –United States ranks 9th internationally in broadband speed and availability –Korea and Japan provide 500 Mbps speeds or faster at prices comparable to U.S. prices (for lower speeds) –Leadership in speed brings leadership in applications –See link at the bottom of the page for a recent report.link 6-30