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1 – 10 of 560William Lau, Pramod Pandya and Joseph S. Sherif
Corporations with multiple national and international sites rely on telecommunication services such as public switched telephone network (PSTN) to deal with their customers and…
Abstract
Purpose
Corporations with multiple national and international sites rely on telecommunication services such as public switched telephone network (PSTN) to deal with their customers and with vendors. Over the last few years, the cost of using PSTN for telecommunication has increased, thus adding considerable cost to business. The infrastructure of the internet is well placed now, and the continued growth of information technologies have made it cost effective to route voice calls over the internet, known as voice over internet protocol (VoIP). The purpose of this paper is to advance research, strategies and a predictive decision model that analyzes the cost of routing voice‐based traffic either via VoIP network or PSTN. This predictive decision model is based on the beta‐binomial distribution, and it computes the cost differential in tariff with respect to choice of routing the voice traffic between the VoIP network and the PSTN.
Design/methodology/approach
A call supported by the PSTN involves the establishment of an end‐to‐end circuit that is maintained for the duration of the call. A call supported by VoIP technology, by contrast, involves the transmission of many individual packets over an IP network. The cost of a VoIP call thus depends in part on the number and size of the packets that must be transmitted, i.e. the bandwidth required.
Findings
Great savings are realized when optimal number of calls would be routed through CCS vendors, as determined by the VoIP allocation model. The available bandwidth on the internet is capable of supporting VoIP at much cheaper rate than the expensive PSTN. Business could still buy into PSTN service if they require secured telecommunication services.
Originality/value
The paper tackles one of the most critical problems of minimizing the burden and costs of telecommunications by PSTN and VoIP.
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Juan Rendon Schneir and Thomas Plückebaum
This paper aims to describe the effect of VoIP network architectures on the cost modelling of termination rates of VoIP services.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to describe the effect of VoIP network architectures on the cost modelling of termination rates of VoIP services.
Design/methodology/approach
The study investigates and organises the arguments available in the technical and regulatory field related to VoIP networks and services in order to ascertain the possible impact of VoIP techniques, the provisioning of voice features in VoIP networks, and network interconnection issues on the cost of regulated VoIP services.
Findings
The information and analysis reveals how the provision of VoIP services is related to a number of issues that will have an effect on the cost of VoIP termination rates. In particular, the study analyses the impact on a cost model of the components of a VoIP network architecture, the usage factor of network elements, and the traffic volume generated by VoIP applications.
Research limitations/implications
The issues described in the article can be used in elaborating a cost model for termination rates in VoIP networks. For the present study, no cost model was built, and therefore no quantitative estimations were made of the specific impact of every cost parameter on the termination rates.
Practical implications
The findings of this study can be used by policy makers, voice operators, and researchers.
Originality/value
Most studies of VoIP that are available in the literature address, on the one hand, the costs of corporate VoIP networks and, on the other, the regulation of VoIP services. This article, however, presents a comprehensive study of the most relevant features of VoIP network architectures that should be considered when determining regulated termination rates.
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Theodore Tryfonas, Iain Sutherland and Ioannis Pompogiatzis
The purpose of this paper is to discuss and amalgamate information security principles, and legal and ethical concerns that surround security testing and components of generic…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to discuss and amalgamate information security principles, and legal and ethical concerns that surround security testing and components of generic security testing methodologies that can be applied to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), in order to form an audit methodology that specifically addresses the needs of this technology.
Design/methodology/approach
Information security principles, legal and ethical concerns are amalgamated that surround security testing and components of generic security testing methodologies that can be applied to VoIP. A simple model is created of a business infrastructure (core network) for the delivery of enterprise VoIP services and the selected tests are applied through a methodically structured action plan.
Findings
The main output of this paper is a, documented in detail, testing plan (audit programme) for the security review of a core VoIP enterprise network infrastructure. Also, a list of recommendations for good testing practice based on the testing experience and derived through the phase of the methodology evaluation stage.
Research limitations/implications
The methodology in the paper does not extend at the moment to the testing of the business operation issues of VoIP telephony, such as revenue assurance or toll fraud detection.
Practical implications
This approach facilitates the conduct or security reviews and auditing in a VoIP infrastructure.
Originality/value
VoIP requires appropriate security testing before its deployment in a commercial environment. A key factor is the security of the underlying data network. If the business value of adopting VoIP is considered then the potential impact of a related security incident becomes clear. This highlights the need for a coherent security framework that includes means for security reviews, risk assessments, and influencing design and deployment. In this respect, this approach can meet this requirement.
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To consider the various challenges raised by Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). These include commercial, technological, marketing and regulatory issues.
Abstract
Purpose
To consider the various challenges raised by Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). These include commercial, technological, marketing and regulatory issues.
Design/methodology/approach
First explores the technological issues, such as quality assurance and load control, then marketing issues by contrasting the various service providers and their approaches, and finally regulatory concerns by comparing European and US approaches to issues such as emergency services, numbering, law enforcement and security.
Findings
VoIP raises complex questions beyond whether or not consumers get cheaper telephone calls. IP technology is ushering in a world of peer‐to‐peer communications that provides opportunities (and dangers) for multiple business models and players.
Originality/value
Provides an overview of the issues raised by a potentially disruptive technology and contributes a perspective on the opportunities and threats for incumbents and new entrants to the market.
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Ying-Wei Shih, Ya-Ling Wu, Yi-Shun Wang and Chiung-Liang Chen
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the post-adoption stage of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephony diffusion, examining usage behavior based on Shih and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the post-adoption stage of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephony diffusion, examining usage behavior based on Shih and Venkatesh’s use-diffusion (UD) model.
Design/methodology/approach
The research model incorporates technology sophistication, complementary technologies, personal innovativeness, self-efficacy, trust propensity, media exposure, subjective norms, and word-of-mouth (WOM) referrals as UD determinants; rate of use and variety of use as usage variables; intense use, specialized use, nonspecialized use, and limited use as UD patterns; and satisfaction and intention to use future-related technologies as UD outcomes. Data used to test the research model were collected using a web-based online questionnaire form; 360 valid responses were obtained. Partial least squares, multinomial logistic regression, and analysis of variance were used to analyze data.
Findings
The results reveal that variety of use, self-efficacy, propensity to trust, media exposure, subjective norms, and WOM referrals increase rate of use, while complementary technologies, personal innovativeness, self-efficacy, media exposure, and subjective norms widen variety of use; variety of use is essential in predicting UD outcomes; when choosing limited use as the reference category, more than half of the UD determinants are capable of predicting UD patterns; and generally, intense users are more satisfied with VoIP telephony, while limited users have less intention to use future-related technologies.
Originality/value
The present study focuses on the post-adoption stage, thereby extending the frontiers of research on the diffusion of VoIP telephony. Academics can obtain some evidence of the explanatory power of the UD model in the context of VoIP telephony use, and practitioners can obtain fresh insights into the dynamics of VoIP telephony usage behavior.
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The purpose of this paper is to present the necessary analyses to be made by incumbents and other players in the telecommunication sector regarding the change from PSTN voice…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present the necessary analyses to be made by incumbents and other players in the telecommunication sector regarding the change from PSTN voice services to voice over IP (VoIP). This change will in many circumstances be combined with the supply of TV via the broadband access connection (TVoIP). Thereby, triple play can be offered.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper provides a description of trends for demand and supply for VoIP and TVoIP and analyses of consequences for market structure, prices and regulation.
Findings
Price issues as well as strengths and weaknesses for the different players are presented. The introduction of VoIP and of TVoIP will also change the regulatory regime. Two‐way access interconnection problems will increase and the choice between the peering or termination payment needs to be made.
Originality/value
The paper provides a framework allowing different kinds of player to assess strategies of whether, how and when they might enter the VoiP market.
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Dimitris Assimakopoulos and Herman Wu
This research paper aims to apply the technology‐organization‐environment (TOE) framework to describe and discuss the critical factors concerning the diffusion of voice over…
Abstract
Purpose
This research paper aims to apply the technology‐organization‐environment (TOE) framework to describe and discuss the critical factors concerning the diffusion of voice over internet protocol (VoIP) innovations among Chinese large enterprises, in particular, Air China and Harvest Fund.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper deploys a dual case study methodology and extensive triangulation, including review of archival data, in‐depth interviews with key stakeholders, and a questionnaire survey.
Findings
Key factors were identified that have significant influence on the VoIP adoption by Chinese large enterprises. These factors were grouped under the TOE framework to facilitate analysis. Based on the rich data set, the paper identified the following key factors for successful adoption, implementation, and use. Managers of large companies seem to consider reliability of a new technology as the most important factor to be considered for feasibility study and budget approval. At the same time, top management support is extremely important in China. For the top executives, especially those with government background, any major decisions must not only be financially sound but also politically correct. In addition, compatibility with pre‐existing systems, following technology trends and ease of use were also viewed as critical factors influencing the initial adoption of VoIP technology and also affecting its success of implementation and subsequent use.
Research limitations/implications
This paper is exploratory in nature including a dual‐case study design. Further descriptive or/and explanatory studies may help confirm the identified factors and provide additional evidence and explanations why these factors are critical for the diffusion of VoIP among Chinese large companies. Second, a future research avenue is the deregulation of the sector by the Chinese government. Further study can focus on what kinds of benefits can be derived from deregulation as in other countries or regions and how to deregulate current restrictions and foster the development of this market in China. Third, the companies studied in this paper are large companies with a history of government control. With the gradual rise of private companies in China, a future researcher could study the key influential factors for VoIP adoption for these companies.
Originality/value
Out of these critical factors, the paper identifies two rarely mentioned factors that are critical among Chinese large enterprises: first, technology trend; and second, the innovation's return on investment (price/total cost of ownership). The paper also spells out management implications for practitioners in large Chinese firms.
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Michael L. Zubey, William Wagner and James R. Otto
The ability to transmit and process voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) networks has important implications for technology managers. Many companies today are rushing to bring…
Abstract
The ability to transmit and process voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) networks has important implications for technology managers. Many companies today are rushing to bring different VoIP products to market with a wide variety of features. Managers will need to understand the tradeoffs associated with VoIP as compared to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). This paper measures the preference structures between IP telephony and PSTN services using conjoint analysis. The purpose is to suggest those VoIP technology attributes that best meet users’ needs.
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John B. Meisel and Michael Needles
In the context of a current regulatory proceeding in the USA, the purpose of the paper is to argue for utilization of a new analytical framework to govern the regulation of the…
Abstract
Purpose
In the context of a current regulatory proceeding in the USA, the purpose of the paper is to argue for utilization of a new analytical framework to govern the regulation of the rapidly growing voice over internet protocol (VoIP) technology. Specifically, the paper recommends replacement of the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) existing vertical regulatory structure with a new conceptual paradigm, a layered or horizontal model that more closely mirrors the structure of internet communications.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper briefly traces the evolution of the FCC's current regulatory structure and its previous treatment of internet telephony. Current petitions by individual telecommunications companies before the FCC and the agency's notice of proposed rulemaking on VoIP are analyzed and business and economic implications of VoIP are discussed.
Findings
The paper finds that utilization of a layered model enables policy makers to target regulation to specific sources of market power in the access layer and to attainment of social objectives such as wiretapping, while allowing free market competition to govern competitive layers of internet communications.
Practical implications
Regulatory policy in a world of VoIP technology must change. The FCC's old way of regulating in a world where individual communication services are linked to specific technologies must be replaced in the new internet world of converging services.
Originality/value
The paper builds on previous research outlining the layered model and applies this new conceptual framework to the current issues raised in the FCC rulemaking. The paper intends to provide guidance to telecommunications regulators.
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Kerem Gurses, Basak Yakis-Douglas and Pinar Ozcan
In this paper, we investigate how digital technology disruptors and the incumbents who stand to be disrupted by them frame their arguments to transform or sustain existing…
Abstract
In this paper, we investigate how digital technology disruptors and the incumbents who stand to be disrupted by them frame their arguments to transform or sustain existing institutional frameworks to enable or deter the market entry of these technologies. Using a longitudinal, comparative case analysis of three digital technologies – namely, voice over Internet protocol (VoIP), cloud antenna, and over-the-top (OTT) technologies – we explore how stakeholders use public interest frames for this purpose. We find that entrepreneurs use three specific frames to drive institutional change for the successful adoption of digital technologies in the presence of established incumbents and powerful regulators: frames that emphasize the broad public appeal of the new digital technology; frames that emphasize efficiency, democracy, and technological advancement; and frames that emphasize present as well as future benefits to the public. We find that constructing interpretations of what serves the public interest is the primary tactic used by disruptors to gain market entry, and an equally popular weapon for incumbents to block the entry of new digital technologies. These interpretations lead to a framing contest aimed at influencing regulators and obtaining a more favorable institutional environment. Our empirical findings illustrate that new digital technologies themselves are not the sole contributors to institutional change. Rather, institutional outcomes associated with the introduction of new digital technologies are shaped by how disruptors and incumbents use public interest frames and how regulators react to these frames.
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