* Is using MPLS enough to ensure VoIP call quality?
Last time, we outlined basic VoIP quality metrics. We think the issue of Internet-based VoIP call quality is becoming increasingly important because of the growing number of Internet-based VoIP users and because of the increasing percentages of poor VoIP call quality.
In fact, according to Brix Networks – which describes itself as an IP service assurance company – nearly 20% of the Internet-based VoIP calls tested by users of its testyourvoip.com service have demonstrated unacceptable call quality. In its results, Brix reported a consistent decrease in Internet based VoIP call quality starting with about 84% acceptable call quality in December 2004 and ending with about 77% of acceptable call quality by May 2006.
One of the obvious problems with using a BYOB (bring your own broadband) VoIP service is that by using a public, best effort Internet service for the VoIP backbone, there is no guarantee for the VoIP service quality metrics we outlined in out last newsletter. So until the broadband Internet access providers come up with a differentiated service class for BYOB VoIP, we see no cost-effective alternative for BYOB VoIP consumers to guarantee their call quality.
However, we do believe that VoIP-based service providers that also own their access loop will address their own VoIP service quality and must do so if they want to keep offering VoIP as an alternative to traditional phone service.
The multi-user enterprise customer has more options available including the option to use an MPLS service connection to improve VoIP call quality. But just buying MPLS isn’t enough unless the MPLS service is designed to categorically support VoIP quality metrics.
One of the best studies we’ve seen on what users should know about the VoIP quality design alternatives using MPLS is a paper written by Michael Finneran.
The paper provides a general overview about what an MPLS-based service is, how the service operates, and most importantly, the design process for implementing a voice service on MPLS. We recommend the study for any enterprise considering a VoIP deployment. Finneran discusses in detail how each metric we outlined last time can and may be affected by the MPLS circuit specifications and design.
