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Voice Over IP Goes Global, The DNS Way
awehttam writes "A couple of geeks have setup a non-profit public DNS root designed to map phone numbers to Internet protocols.
These days we're hearing lots about Skype, and Voice over IP. Asterisk - the open source PBX - is nearing its version 1.00 release, Free World Dialup has applied to run the .tel top level domain, Good old Bell's are migrating to native IP, private sector layer 2 clearing houses are exchanging bits between companies the like of Packet8, China Telecom, MIT and Harvard and even the various regulatory agencies are pondering just what to do about things.
In the mean time, consumer SIP phones are dropping in price, and free and open source software is helping to drive a new generation of provide the services networks." Read on for more.
"You just knew the other shoe had to drop. E164.org let's people register their existing phone numbers, and aim various services including VoIP towards a URL on the Internet. Now you can have your calls sent to your Free World Dialup account, or routed to your home Asterisk PBX instead, possibly where you have a $20 card attached to your phone line letting you make and receive calls through both your regular phone line and the Internet. E164.org isn't just about VoIP though, it can also map phone numbers to Email addresses, Instant Messager URL's, or any other protocol that fits in the "foo://bar" scheme of the 'net. :)"
I was thinking about this the earlier today, and since it is relevant to this story I thought I would post it.
Currently Skype is a computer to computer only program, but I have an idea to make it somewhat better.
At signup each user should put in his local calling area/country codes whatever they all are.
Then each user has the option of donating his phone line by hooking up his modem to the phone cord.
Whenever someone wants to call a phone number they could try Skype, or a similar program, and the Skype network would then go search for any available modems in that area code. If there is one then your call would be sent over the net to that computer, and out on his modem.
Now obviously this is a pretty generous donation on the part of the users. There fore there would have to be controls given to the user such as only allow people to call through your line if they are sharing their line. And there needs to be a polite "get off my phone I need it" button for when a Skype user is using your phone and you need it. Something like a message interrupting the call saying "the host modem owner want to use his phone line, please end your call in 30 seconds or it will be disconnected for you."
And if there are no modems available in the area code you wish, you will get a message telling you so.
I think this is would be a nice way of getting around long distance even to people who don't own a computer and/or use Skype.
Are there any technical problems with routing audio info taken from the internet into the modem in the computer without the host having to listen to it over his speakers?
What do you guys think?
I've been using Packet8.net for my telephone service for about a half a year now, and I've been thoroughly impressed. For 20 dollars a month, I get completely unlimited long distance, call waiting, voice mail.
There are a few glitches every now and then. Somedays it won't let my calls go through, but usually my voice mail bails me out. It's just as reliable as a cell phone, and much much cheaper.
CAPS LOCK IS CRUISE CONTROL FOR COOL!!
I know you were joking, but I recently decied to try out Vonage. With a cable connection you cant even tell its using the internet, and the ability to get a real phone number anywhere (well, almost) in the US beats a landline hands down.
After 2 weeks with it, I've decided I'm going to drop my landline.
Without having read the article (this is slashdot after all), what's wrong with ENUM? That already provides phone# to location/service mapping via DNS...