Despite the price advantage of VoIP, and the interconnectivity, there are a significant number of disadvantages and drawbacks that may discourage consumers and businesses from implementing a VoIP service.
Services such as Vonage and AT&T require the consumer to supply their own broadband Internet access, via DSL or cable. In addition to this inconvenience, VoIP users must manually install a telephone adaptor into their home network configuration. Users that are less tech-savvy may have problems installing VoIP.
Another issue regarding VoIP is that call information is provided via an IP address, meaning that it is difficult to pinpoint the geographic location of an IP address. This is necessary in the case of emergency calls, although some VoIP providers now do have call routing based from a specified address. And additionally, the FCC has implemented a system known as E911, a more advanced version of the US emergency 911 system, which provides additional location data over VoIP to emergency responders, including street address and the floor inside a building. VoIP Carriers have a deadline of October 2005 to implement all phases of e911, including extended data from wired phones, and the location within 1000 feet, for cellphone users.
Despite this, Hochmuth, P. (2004, 21) regards the e911 system as untrustworthy at this time, given that there may be confusion due to mixed-vendor environments and the fact that the technology is not yet standardized across platforms.
Zuiden, G. (2004, 46) points out that having a traditional analog secondary line for services, is at this point, still advisable. Other limitations are the inability to use these lines for fax capabilities and a difficulty downloading electronic program guides to personal video recorder products (such as TiVO). Since VoIP runs through a computer, it does not function independently, meaning that VoIP will not function during a power outage, whereas regular analog telephones may.Many have made the argument that until VoIP is capable of offering ‘'all’’ services that PSTN can offer, that they will not be making the switch.
Also, the voice quality of VoIP connections is something that has been given a lot of consideration. Given that the data travels through the internet, there is an increased potential over landline phones, for dropouts, similar to those experienced on cellphones.
In addition, there are legal and security issues (as outlined in VoIP – Privacy Issues) that have not yet been resolved that may discourage potential VoIP customers from embracing the technology. Because of these uncertainties, there also exists the potential for current call costs to increase dramatically over the next few years.
Savitz, E. (2004, 22) asserts that there are still many viable alternatives to VoIP, all of which are less expensive, some even free, such as free software-based calling through Skype or Free World Dialup. Both are designed to call people with compatible software, but neither will allow users to contact analog phones. Free World Dialup, however, does offer a service which ties the account to a normal phone number. Additionally, calls based on instant-messaging software are free, though they are of low quality. The author points out that with a webcam, consumers could even have a slow framed videoconference.
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Siang Lu 20:12, 27 Oct 2004 (EST)
