| The sound quality of conference calls can vary | | | | Conference call bridges are used to facilitate |
| from one carrier to the next. Among the many | | | | multi-caller conference calls. Using a bridge, hefty |
| factors affecting audio quality is the technology | | | | toll charges can be avoided and a group |
| used to deliver the calls. Public Switched Telephone | | | | teleconference set up and managed. Though far |
| Networks (PSTNs) are clearer than ever while | | | | out of reach pricewise for individuals and |
| newer Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) | | | | businesses, conference calling service providers |
| technologies are allowing for cheaper, though less | | | | provide access to their bridges as part of their |
| clear, transmissions over the Internet. Today, | | | | service plans. Essentially, you are renting the |
| most phone users are accustomed to crystal | | | | conference call bridge when you sign up for a |
| clear sound quality thanks to digital PSTNs. | | | | conference calling plan. However, not all bridges |
| However, when it comes to low-cost conference | | | | are created equally, and sound quality can be |
| calling plans, some are surprised at the lack of | | | | affected. |
| clarity. If you want the best audio quality possible, | | | | Telephony Software |
| it's crucial that you select a conference calling plan | | | | Another factor that influences the quality of |
| dedicated to providing it through a combination of | | | | conference calls is the telephony software. |
| state-of-the-art, high quality conference call | | | | Software allows for computer-based |
| bridges, telephony software solutions, and top tier | | | | management. For example, a teleconference plan |
| telecommunications carriers. | | | | may or may not include Web-based account |
| PSTN vs. VoIP | | | | management tools and features such as autodial |
| Despite the alphabet soup of acronyms, PSTN | | | | and call recording. While the software may not |
| and VoIP are relatively simply to understand. | | | | directly influence audio quality, software is available |
| Public Switched Telephone Networks are also | | | | that allows the host to identify poor quality |
| sometimes called "Plain Old Telephone Service" for | | | | connections and as well as mute individual callers |
| good reason: that's what they are. Your traditional | | | | whose phones may be generating static and |
| land line uses PSTN, which is a global network of | | | | degrading the overall experience. |
| circuit-switched telephone networks. These | | | | Telecommunications Carriers |
| networks are nearly completely digital and now | | | | In addition to the transmission method, |
| include mobile telephones as well as landlines. | | | | conference calling bridges, and telephony |
| Voice over Internet Protocol is a transmission | | | | software, the underlying telecommunications |
| technology used for delivering voice | | | | carriers used for conference calls can affect |
| communications over the Internet. As with | | | | overall audio quality. Services offered, rates, and |
| sending data files over the Internet, VoIP breaks | | | | call quality can distinguish one carrier from the |
| the voice files into small "packets" which are | | | | next. |
| transmitted and reassembled over the Internet. | | | | With so many factors involved with conference |
| These packets take various routes to reach the | | | | calling, it's no wonder that audio quality can suffer. |
| final destination with some arriving sooner than | | | | For the ultimate in crystal clear conference calls, |
| others. While this occurs at lightning fast speeds, | | | | look for a provider that: |
| some audio delays, dropouts, and "jitters" can | | | | Uses PSTN rather than the less reliable VoIP |
| occur with VoIP conference calls. | | | | Offers state-of-the-art conference calling |
| While VoIP conference calling is emerging as a | | | | bridges |
| viable, low-cost communications method, call | | | | Offers feature-rich telephony software |
| quality has yet to equal that of the higher quality, | | | | Uses top-tier telecommunications carriers |
| tried-and-true PSTN technologies where static, | | | | Now is an exciting time when it comes to |
| interference, echoes, and call delays are virtually | | | | conference calling with emerging and existing |
| unheard of. | | | | technologies converging to deliver high quality |
| Conference Calling Bridges | | | | conference calls at an affordable price. |