How does VoIP affect network bandwidth?
The experts diverge about the effects of VoIP on bandwidth, though most express significant concerns. Bear observes frustration when he says, “Bandwidth, bandwidth everywhere, and I still can’t make a call. Capacity isn’t enough for voice; configuration and connectivity must be considered.” Michael Mullaley, director of enterprise marketing at Ciena Corporation, adds that when VoIP traffic exceeds 100 gigs per day, an IP-routed WAN begins to drop packets, which easily can exceed the capacity of even mid-sized businesses. Telemarketing spam, phishing attacks, and other nasties can consume more network bandwidth than traditional messaging threats and can slow down network performance, says Graydon. Advantages of VoIP come from a network infrastructure that carries both voice and traditional data traffic, but that can lead to potential contention for bandwidth and performance degradation, such as jitter and delay due to congestion, say experts such as Myles Falvella, director of product m
