IP Telephony
Internet Telephony
IPT

    (IPT, Internet Telephony) Use of IP data
   connections to exchange voice and fax data that have
   traditionally been carried over the public switched telephone
   network.

   During the late 1990s, an increasing number of telephone calls
   have been routed over the Internet.  Calls made in this way
   avoid PSTN charges.  Unlike traditional telephony, IP
   telephony is relatively unregulated.

   Companies providing these services are known as Internet
   Telephony Service Providers (ITSPs).  They include telephone
   companies, cable TV companies and Internet Service Providers
   (ISPs).

   There are still many problems with voice quality, latency,
   compression algorithms, and quality of service.

   Voice over IP is an organised effort to standardise IP
   telephony.

   See also Computer Telephone Integration.

   <Internet Telephony Overview>.

   (1999-03-17)