| In the early years of 21st century, the IP technology | | | | providers namely Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier3. The Tier1 or |
| has become "next-generation" networks for all forms | | | | wholesale carrier service providers have their own |
| of "unified" communication. By end of the century, it is | | | | networks. They can easily manage and operate their |
| predicted that a fixed-line carrier or PSTN service will | | | | service globally. While, the Tier-2 carriers comprise of |
| be ruled by the advanced voice over IP network. By | | | | companies that lease their services from Tier-1 |
| modernizing networks with the VoIP technology, there | | | | providers. Lastly, the Tier- 3 providers either lease their |
| are many strong drivers impelling service providers to | | | | services from Tier- 1 or Tier-2 carriers and then deliver |
| deploy "next-generation" services and well known as | | | | to the end users. |
| VoIP carriers. With the lingering doubts and inhibitors on | | | | Therefore, it would not be wrong to say that to a |
| product maturity and interoperability, the unproven | | | | great extent, the profit and quality of service are |
| business and corporate houses are steadily diminishing, | | | | depended upon your VoIP carrier. The users must |
| which is leading to increased investment. | | | | keep various points in mind, before selecting the VoIP |
| The VoIP carrier services deliver a complete | | | | carrier service provider such as: |
| application solution such as integrated VoIP, unified | | | | 1. Quality of services: The quality of service should be |
| communication proxy, advanced call routing support, | | | | the priority. One must check out the ACD, ASR and |
| network management support and enhanced | | | | PDD. As a matter of fact, the ACD should ideally |
| interactive voice response. Furthermore, the packet | | | | range between 2-3 minutes while, ASR should be |
| switching technique of IP network minimises the | | | | between 40-50%. To give quality of services, the PDD |
| network congestion. This technology allows to reduce | | | | should not be more than 3 seconds. |
| bandwidth consumption by up to more than half, as it | | | | 2. Rates: The market is flooded with VoIP carrier |
| combines several voice and images packets into a | | | | providers who offer same IP service but at different |
| single packet. | | | | rates. Therefore, the users must carry out the depth |
| These services allow users to switch intelligently | | | | market analysis in order to get the service from the |
| between circuits and IP. As a matter of fact, the IP | | | | best voice over IP carrier. |
| services provide scalable, centralised network routing | | | | 3. Availability of technical support: In this competitive |
| control and administration for larger networks. These | | | | world to the best, several premium VoIP providers |
| carrier services also offer enhanced network routing | | | | offer round the clock online support service to their |
| flexibility including the QoS, source based and | | | | clients. This ensures uninterrupted telephony |
| extensive network. Moreover, the VoIP technology | | | | communication. |
| also helps to lower down the maintenance costs | | | | To conclude, these VoIP carrier services ensure |
| through centralized provisioning, alarm monitoring and | | | | business houses can save on their phone bills by up to |
| CDR collecting. | | | | 40-60 percent. |
| There are three types of VoIP carrier service | | | | |