What is Difference Between Teleconferencing and Internet Telephony?

Written November 2007

When we communicate through computer systems and over the telephone network, we are using telecommunications. Telecommunications by way of teleconferencing and Internet telephony have become our newest and most convenient means of communicating across large geographic regions.

Teleconferencing

Teleconference involves a dedicated telephone line that can handle up to 30 callers at the same time. Typically, meetings are held in conference rooms and the topic, moderator, and speaker are designated in advance. The call could last for one hour or so, and the callers are allowed to participant in the meeting as if they were present. At times, the speaker is one of the callers. This is a great way to converge virtual attendees into business meetings irregardless of the attendee's geographic locations. In many cases, teleconferencing has proven to be cheaper than physically attending, so it is here to stay.

Internet Telephony

Internet telephony enables people to use the Internet as a transmission medium for telephone calls. For end users who have fixed-price Internet access, they can make free telephone calls anywhere in the world. To date, Internet telephony does not offer the same quality of telephone service as direct telephone connections. Internet telephony can only be accomplished through specific software applications.

Internet telephony uses electronic transmission of voice, fax, or video technology. Historically, electronic transmissions such as telephones or handheld devices containing both speakers and receivers were considered independent of computer technology. Now, the distinction between telephony and telecommunication are now difficult to make. For instance, the transmittal of digital information over telephone systems and the use of radio to transmit telephone signals are not clearly different mediums anymore. Since telephony access to the Internet is available, international or other long-distance calls are cheaper than traditional telephone calls.

If you are interested in acquiring Internet telephony, visit the websites from these companies: IDT Corporation (Net2Phone), Netspeak, NetXchange, Rockwell International, VocalTec, and Voxspeak.

Summary

Teleconferencing allows virtual attendees to attend businesses, and Internet telephony is the use of the Internet rather than the traditional telephone company infrastructure and rate structure.

Electronic communication uses electrical signals to transmit information over long ranges from one point to the next. The rate of information transfer, cost, and system reliability will always be factors when considering variables in end user's bandwidth, noise, and electrical currency. This is why modulation and multiplexing techniques are rapidly improving with the growing demand of telecommunication and transferring information through the Internet.

Since the telegraph and radio, we are always looking for ways to improve our business communication and accessibility over large geographic areas. Let’s face it, teleconference telephones and Internet telephony are good for increasing business profits!

About the Author:
 

Debbie Jensen, an expert writer for business and technology for Genesis Global Networks, has a Bachelor's Degree in Visual Communication (Multimedia). With her twenty year history of creative expressions and formalized study of Information Technology of digital print/web design and development, she is now publishing articles about networking for Genesis Global Networks.

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