Objective

Voice over Internet Protocol, VoIP for short means phone calls over IP-based data networks like the Internet. It is picking u speed as a prefered alternative to the existing telephone technology. Tthe end result for the end user is savings on their phone bill and for the services and infrastructure provider this is resulting in completely new business areas.

Currently, both technologies coexist, but the change from ISDN to IP is in full swing and there's no stopping it. Standards and products have become mature and are looking at a number of companies already operating successfully. As with any new technology, however, there remains safety concerns and risks associated with a number of open questions.

 To set the course for the future and steer in the right direction, market participants should collectivey address the issues pertaining to VoIP's emerging popularity a new technologies. These would be the following issues and challenges of common interest:

• Development between the market
• Fine-tuning of business models
• Fine-tuning of the technologies used
• Clearing out of safety concerns
• General legal issues
  

The objective of the eco for the WG VoIP is to create a platform for market participants, on the above issues. This group is of particular interest to services, infrastructure and software vendors, but other interested parties are also welcome!