VoIP Toll Reduction via IP Network Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The telecommunications industry faces challenges in minimizing toll charges for long-distance calls due to complex regulatory schemes and varying rates across different geographic areas and carriers, particularly for intra-State inter-LATA calls which can be more expensive than inter-State calls, despite being shorter in distance.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology to convert voice transmissions into data packets, routing them over an IP network to a location with the lowest toll rates, where they are converted back to voice signals, thereby enabling calls to be routed at the lowest possible rate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If calls are routed through traditional telephone networks to customer service centers, then call connectivity is ensured, but toll charges increase due to intra-State inter-LATA rates being higher than inter-State rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary VoIP system that acts as a mediator between the traditional PSTN network and the customer service center. The system converts voice calls into data packets, routes them through IP networks to locations with lower toll rates, and converts them back to voice signals. This intermediary approach enables cost-effective routing while maintaining compatibility with existing telephone networks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the fundamental parameter of how voice communications are transmitted by converting analog voice signals into digital data packets. This parameter change from traditional circuit-switched voice transmission to packet-switched data transmission enables the use of IP networks and allows routing decisions based on toll rate variations, thereby reducing communication costs.
2Loss of energy
If companies integrate voice and data communication networks, then economic benefits increase through reduced toll charges, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges voice communication and data communication networks by integrating the VoIP system with existing corporate IP networks. The system combines voice packet handling with data network infrastructure, allowing both voice and data to traverse the same network infrastructure. This merging eliminates the need for separate voice and data networks, reducing overall system complexity while achieving cost savings.
Solution Approach 2:
The VoIP system provides multi-functionality by handling both voice transmission and network routing functions. The same IP network infrastructure that carries data traffic also carries voice traffic, making the network universal. This multi-functionality reduces the need for dedicated voice network infrastructure and simplifies network management while enabling cost-effective call routing.
3Ease of operation
If toll-free numbers are used for customer service centers, then customer access is improved, but the company bearing the toll charges increases operational costs
Solution Approach 1:
The VoIP system acts as an intermediary that receives toll-free calls from customers and reroutes them through IP networks to cost-effective locations. The system maintains the toll-free number for customer convenience while using its intelligent routing capabilities to redirect calls through lower-cost pathways, thereby preserving ease of customer access while reducing the company's operational costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the routing parameter of toll-free calls by converting them from traditional PSTN routing to IP network routing. This parameter change allows the calls to be redirected through locations with lower toll rates while maintaining the toll-free access number for customers, thus preserving ease of operation while reducing operational costs.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system are disclosed where a call center operator having multiple locations, including a call center is able to utilize existing network infrastructure to route telephone communications to the call center to the location where the lowest toll rate is applicable. The telephone communications are converted into data packets and routed to the call center using VoIP technology. No toll would apply to the transmission of the data to the call center.