QoS Issues in a VoIP System

A VoIP PBX System is often associated withApart from delays, another problem associated with
bandwidth savings and reduced cost. However, sinceVoIP networks is jitter. Jitter is caused by the
this is a relatively new technology, there are manyinter-packet delay in the network. This causes
quality related issues to be dealt with. Many of thesedistortion in the talks. Jitters can be minimized by
issues arise owing to the use of packet switchedholding the packets until the slowest packets arrive at
networks.the destination. This can however increase the delay in
A significant problem that is associated with a VoIPplaying the voice. Various approaches are being tried
system is the delay in packet transmission. This delayat to compromise between delays and jitters.
results in echo and talk overlaps. An echo is usuallyAnother severe problem affecting a packet network is
caused if the round trip delay of the signal from thepacket losses. IP networks usually have high
destination back to the source is more than 50incidences of packet loss as compared to ATM
milliseconds. In packet switched network, given thenetworks. During peak traffics, the problem of packet
number of routers and networks a voice packet haslosses can be enormous. Data packets can be
to traverse, the delay can be considerable for longretransmitted, but in case of voice packets a different
distance calls. Modern VoIP systems thereforeapproach is required. Some of the solutions proposed
implement echo control and cancellations methods tofor solving this problem include replaying the last
deal with the problem. Another problem caused withpackets until new packets arrive, sending redundant
packet delays is talk overlaps. This problem occurs ifinformation to compensate for the loss, and a hybrid
the packet delay in any direction exceeds 250approach combining the previous two methods.
milliseconds.