We'll be discussing high-level topics, but we've included links to more detailed information on some key concepts at the end of this article.
The world of telecommunications
There is an ancient network. Older than the Internet. A network that enables voice and SMS communications as we know them. It is the telephone network. While essential for global connectivity, this network operates in a relatively closed, slow, and expensive ecosystem.
The telephone network is connected by carriers - responsible for philippines mobile number example the flow of voice, text messages and data around the world. Carriers sell connections to their networks.
For you and me, that connection is simple: a cell phone or a home Internet connection. Consumers are isolated from the complex world of languages, hardware, and protocols used to run a global telephone network.
However, for businesses, it’s not that simple. To build custom features on top of that connection, like a business phone system (PBX) or call center, many additional components are required. Specialized servers and software are needed to do this work, as well as specialized facilities to house and operate the equipment. Specialized labor is also required to install and maintain the equipment.
Imagine investing years of work and millions of dollars just to set up your system. What would happen if you wanted to change it? Prepare to invest even more time and money to upgrade to a new system.
Not all systems speak the same language
Telephone networks also operate using a myriad of complex, often proprietary, protocols. The Internet communicates primarily using a basic, fundamental protocol, HyperText Transport Protocol (HTTP).
Telephone networks use a variety of protocols, each tailored to the task at hand: Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) for managing voice, video, and real-time messaging sessions Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol (XMPP), a specialized real-time messaging protocol (e.g., IRC) Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP) for streaming voice and video over IP connections Global System for Mobile (GSM) communications for connecting mobile devices.