Technical Issues for IP-Based Telephony in Nigeria

Abstract

Data transmission in IP-networks, with all its challenges and associated prospects, is today a major milestone in the convergence of information and communication technology (ICT). IP-telephony simply refers to the data transfer that encapsulates data (in forms of audio, data, voice and video) media or traffic so that they are transported over data network via IP network technologies. IP telecommunications defines a wider range of applications, technologies and convergence networking that refers to a multi-service network that allows the integration of data, voice and video solutions onto a converged network infrastructure via the use of hardware, software and open-source apps/protocols (such as H.323, Megaco/H.248 signaling and transport protocols) used to setup, control and manage both data, voice and video sessions. The study selected area is the Federal University of Petroleum Resources Effurun in Delta State, in which the VoIP was implemented and issues in its implementation were discussed. These include: delay, packet loss and jitters. Jitters and Packet loss can be curbed via increase in bandwidth allocation; latency can be minimized but not totally eradicated by constantly upgrading the network equipment in terms of speed. The many benefits of IP communications cannot be over-emphasized as it includes advanced dial tone, rich media streaming, unified messaging, IP contact center etc while providing the advantages such as resilience, economy, flexibility, mobility and productivity for users. Even with its many pending challenges, IP communications continues to proffer advancements in mobile computing, apps to support mobile users and telecommuting apps that provide users the much needed merits with soft-phones, soft agents and VPN services. It is recommended that an organization intending to harness its full potentials should join forums and user-groups that will constantly update them such as Multi-Switch Forum (MSF) – in a bid to help them improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their IP implementation.