• Dean on VoIPuser

  Indeed it was - thanks Aswath - my comment above was posted before you clarified.

  I wholeheartedly agree. PSTN users can benefit from having a VoIP "half" in their call route, most notably on long distance.

• Aswath on VoIPuser

  A clarification on this point was subsequently discussed in http://www.voipuser.org/forum_topic_187.html .

  My point is that the benefits of VoIP technology can be provided to PSTN users as well. So VoIP technology is not needed in the ACCESS and that PSTN incumbents can easily supplant VoIP service providers.

• Dean on VoIPuser

  [quote]...one clearly observes that VoIP technology is not needed in the access to offer virtual number service.[/quote]

  The Aswath blog is not correct in this regard VoIP technology is critical to this model.

  Virtual numbers (both geographic and non-geographic) are issued, in the UK, by Ofcom to a set pricing structure. Providers are not allowed to deviate from those prices.

  VoIP technology enables the Worldwide routing of voice data packets at no cost to the provider (effectively using the caller and callee's own internet connection).

  The providers net expense is therefore the provision of an inbound gateway (PSTN local rate number to internet termination) and the cost of peering arrangements with gateway providers in other countries across the globe.

  The margins available on the non-geographic numbers are low. Providing service from PSTN to PSTN with no VoIP "section" in the middle of the call makes for an extremely expensive routing cost that would in all liklihood break the model.

  A virtual number service, with Worldwide PSTN/mobile telephone termination is 100% reliant on VoIP technology.

  Speaking from VoIP Users point of view, we couldn't offer the service we offer without it.

  Dean
  www.voipuser.org

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