IP Telephony, also called internet telephony, is the technology that makes it possible to have a telephone conversation where the signal is carried over the Internet or a dedicated network. The conversation is transmitted in Internet Protocol (IP) packets, instead of over dedicated voice transmission lines.

IP telephony enables voice communication over internet protocol (IP) networks. It unites an organization's many locations - including mobile workers - into a single converged network. It promises cost savings by combining voice and data on one network that can be centrally maintained, as well as by eliminating toll expenses for calls between locations.

IP telephony works by converting voice communications into data packets. Telephones are connected to data ports on the IP network. But the function of a telephone can easily be provided using a device that is already connected to the network - the PC.

Terms such as client-server telephony, telephony-enabled LAN, pure IP telephony, converged telephony, and LAN telephony all describe the same fundamental, distributed IP telephony architecture.

Instead of a separate, multi-line phone beside the PC at each desk, IP telephony allows software on the PC to serve as a "soft" phone. Software, unlike telephone hardware, is easily upgraded and enhanced, without work disruption, without equipment cost… without even visiting every desk.

The concept of transmitting voice over a data network is exciting to companies that are maintaining intranet connections for all of their branch offices, while paying for voice circuits to PBXs in those same locations. The cost savings alone are appealing - although security, reliability, and quality questions can make network managers apprehensive about IP telephony. The suppliers that ETS uses offer comprehensive solutions for delivering secure, scalable IP telephony across the enterprise.

Avaya and Zultys are the market leaders in utilising this technology. ETS can provide installation or consultation support for either system