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Early providers of voice-over-IP services used business models and offered technical solutions that mir-
rored the architecture of the legacy telephone network. Second-generation providers, such as Skype, built
closed networks for private user bases, offering the benefit of free calls and convenience while potentially
charging for access to other communication networks, such as the PSTN. This limited the freedom of users
to mix-and-match third-party hardware and software. Third-generation providers, such as Google Talk,
[1]
adopted the concept of federated VoIP. These solutions typically allow dynamic interconnection between
users in any two domains of the Internet, when a user wishes to place a call.
In addition to VoIP phones, VoIP is also available on many personal computers and other Internet access
[2]
devices. Calls and SMS text messages may be sent via Wi-Fi or the carrier's mobile data network. VoIP
provides a framework for consolidation of all modern communications technologies using a single unified
communications system.
Opening with a brief review of telephone communications and how it has evolved, Alan explained how it
had evolved from the early stages of 2 bean cans and a length of string to the sophisticated systems current-
ly operated by the world’s telecommunication networks.
