What is VoIP Codec?

Businesses across the world have realized the

importance of VoIP as an emerging

telecommunication technology. It has helped

enterprise communication to become more

efficient and smarter. VoIP or, Voice over Internet

protocol, is a technology that transmits analogous

voice signals in the form of digital packets over

the Internet. Have you ever wondered what

technology is used to transform analogous voice signals into digital packets? Well, it is

the VoIP Codec that does the trick!

VoIP Codec is an algorithm, available in the form of embedded software in hardware

devices or installed on the server. The Codec converts voice signals into digital data

packets for transmission over a secured network or the Internet. The words compressor-

decompressor or coder-decoder is the origin of the modern term Codec. Codecs have

been devised to achieve 3 primary goals:

1) Encoding-Decoding:

In VoIP telephony systems, a codec is used to encode the analog signals in the form of

digital packets. When the packets reach their destination, they are decoded by the same

codec. This is all done to transmit the voice signals on a digital medium, while both the

speaker as well as the recipients remains oblivious of the complex encoding or decoding

being implemented.

2) Compression and Decompression:

We cannot afford to use huge bandwidth while transmitting voice signals in the form of

data packets. Thus, codecs are used to compress and make these lighter for

transmission. There are specific compression algorithms that store the same data but in

a compressed form for transmission. The same compressed signals are then

decompressed at the recipient’s end for returning them back to normal digital voice

signals.

3) Encryption and Decryption:

From the security point of view, Codecs perform the critical task of encryption and

decryption of data packets. The process of encryption changes the data packets into a

jumbled or complex form which cannot be decoded by others. Thus only the same

coded can be used to decode the data packets while securing them from hacking. The

data packets are decoded back to their original form on reaching their desired

destination.

There are a variety of codes used by VoIP and different codes are available for fax, video,

voice and text. Businesses need to be aware of the different types of codecs available in

the market and decide on the ones that they think would make their VoIP calls secured

and error free. Some of the popular codecs used are listed below:

G.711 is a 64 kbps codec that is considered to be the best for voice signal

transmission. It is not at all demanding on the processor and the minimum

requirement for its functioning is 128 kbps on both sides.

G.722 is a 48/56/64 kbps codec and can easily adapt to different compression.

G.723.1 is a 5.3/6.3 kbps coded that offers high compression but with superior

audio quality. This codec can be used with dial up but it requires too much

processor power.

G.726 is a 16/24/32/40 kbps codec that can be considered as an upgraded

version of G.723 and G.721

G.729 is an 8 kbps codec that utilizes the bandwidth perfectly and is error

tolerant.

GSM is a 13 kbps codec that offers high compression and freely available. GSM

phones use this encoding technique.

iLBC is a 15 kbps codec that does not register high packet loss and is available

for free.

Speex is a 2.15 / 44 kbps codec that does not use too much bandwidth as it

uses variable bit rate.

About BCS Consultants

BCS Consultants offers complete range of products and services for networking and

communications. In communication we offer on-premise systems from companies such

as Toshiba, private cloud based IP, and public cloud based IP Phone systems.

Call us today on (949) 333-1020 for your networking or communication needs