Solving VoIP Faults & Problems

Delivery of Voice or multimedia over an IP network is termed as Voice over Internet Protocol or VoIP. As the name suggests, it is delivery of voice communications and different multimedia sessions through IP networks, or, in simple terms – over the Internet. It is also known as Internet telephony, broadband telephony, voice over broadband, or, IP communications. Whatever be the nomenclature used, they are all same – essentially verbal communication with the help of the Internet.

Before knowing how to solve faults and problems related to VoIP, it is necessary to understand how it works.

When you make a call from your IP Phone or computer, a session is initiated. There are session control protocols employed by VoIP that controls the tear down and set-up of calls. It also controls audio codecs that encode speech to allow transmission over the IP network in the form of digital audio. All voice are converted into digital data packets, and transferred via a data stream. Depending upon the network bandwidth and application requirement, there are different codecs which are chosen for conversion. The quality of the VoIP call is measured based on:

• Packet data loss
• Network jitter and delay
• Latency
• Mean opinion score

Thus when you find that your VoIP call has suddenly dropped you can take the following measures to single out the problem:

Check Your Internet Connection

While you were using a VoIP call, you may suddenly find that there is a drop in the voice quality or the total connection has conked out. In such cases, check your Internet connection first. This is usually the main and sometimes only reason why a VoIP call drops.

Check Power Supply

VoIP is a system where you need lots of equipment like the router, ATA and others to make a call. If by any chance power is not supplied to any one of this equipment list, the total system would fail. Hence you need to check if there is power failure in any of the connected equipment. After you supply power to that equipment, check your VoIP. If the problems persist still, you need to take further steps.

Check Cables

Your broadband will usually be connected by a cable. Internally, in most cases you will have a wired LAN that brings the Internet connection to your desktop. Hence, check out the various cables for any faults. Make sure that all the cables are connected properly and power is being supplied to them. Make sure that the cables are properly connected to the jacks.

Check Set Up

The next step would be to check the total set up. See if the equipment is set correctly or not. It may happen that due to certain unknown reason the setup is hampered. Switch off and on all the switches of the equipment to make sure that they are properly functioning. This is sort of rebooting a computer – you are rebooting all the equipment. The problem may be resolved once you do it.

Check Handset

After doing everything, if you still find that the problem exists, you need to check the handset. Sometime it may happen that the handset is defective and you are looking elsewhere for problems!

Get Help from ISP

Finally, if you are still not able to sort out the problem, then call you Internet Service Provider and your VoIP provider. The problem may not be in your premises but elsewhere. Hence ask your service provider if there is any issue with the connection and they can help you sort out the issue.

If your LAN and Internet connection has been set up well and function well, it is rare that your VoIP will fail.

About BCS Consultants

BCS Consultants offers complete range of products and services for networking and communications. In communication we offer on-premise systems from companies such as Toshiba, private cloud based IP, and public cloud based IP Phone systems. Call us today for your networking or communication needs.