The future of phones

[Byan]

I was just thinking-

probably in the near future, once everyone can get broadband..., they will probably get rid of the all the standard phone numbers and give everyone IP addresses or equivalent, that way you will have unlimited calling to anyway, ect. or it would depend on some sort of bandwidth limit...

All the people who don't want broadband will be given a IP address anyway to substitute for the old phone line and it will work the same way...

the only problem with this is that the government would probably want to change the IP addresses to go with the persons location and then everyone would be able tell where you are..., not to mention, call you...

But it would get rid of the hassle of getting more then one line, ect., all would depend on your speed and bandwidth...

heh, why would it stop there.., your TV would probably go through there as well..., as long with any other thing transferring a type of data

Just my 2¢,
Byan

[K G G]

There are people already today without a landline (such as our household). Between workphones and cellphones we can be reached anytime/anyplace anyhow, and with broadband for Internet, we're all set. Saves basically $500.- annually.
Plus, NO MORE fr... telemarketer calls, particularly not on SAT/SUN mornings.

Now as far as IP addresses for everyone - I don't know about that. Considering the world's population, that be kinda hard from a number-management standpoint (a lot of Subnets?).

But wireless numbers, even worldwide, that could easily be expanded. Including wireless access points in your house for TV, DVD(rental), Internet, Shopping etc.

Glad to live in this time and age...

[Ridgerunr]

The 'cell' phrase was coined by who knows? But,the truth is,as I see it, they are nothing more(or less)than full duplex walkie-talkies. The numbers assigned give privacy(to a point)but it still seems we've taken an old method of CB Radio and brought it to the future. Now,,grind me up an' throw me to the four winds?

[NoBoB]

There are a lot of issues to be addressed before IP telephony can become the mainstream. For one, what happens in a power failure? The phone network keeps running, so you can call 911 if the storm that knocked out the juice also knocked a tree onto your house and someone's hurt...

People tend to take the 5 9's reliability of the traditional phone network for granted.

[Byan]

Now as far as IP addresses for everyone - I don't know about that. Considering the world's population, that be kinda hard from a number-management standpoint (a lot of Subnets?).

well..., there are more phone numbers then IP addresses.., so I suppose it wouldn't be that hard...

There are a lot of issues to be addressed before IP telephony can become the mainstream. For one, what happens in a power failure? The phone network keeps running, so you can call 911 if the storm that knocked out the juice also knocked a tree onto your house and someone's hurt...

I didn't think of that..., just curious.., if your power goes out then does your Internet access go out?.., I know that someone would need a battery modem and a laptop or a generator but...

Byan

[NoBoB]

Originally posted by Byan
I didn't think of that..., just curious.., if your power goes out then does your Internet access go out?.., I know that someone would need a battery modem and a laptop or a generator but...

Byan

I'd imagine that depends on the internet provider. My DSL is supplied by the phone company, so there's a good chance it has the same always-on power as the phone switch itself does. A smaller-scale provider may not be so well-equipped. I've never tested it, since at my end neither the DSL modem nor the network's switch/router have any type of power failure protection. When our lights go out, so does the 'net, effectively.

The traditional phone, however, keeps working. The back-up power for it is provided by the Central Office, so I don't need to have batteries, a generator, or anything. Most users won't install any of that stuff if they go IP.

I have a few IP phones on my work network. There are some definite advantages to them, especially when it comes to moves, adds, and changes. But knowing where they are can be a bit of a headache depending on how crazy we get with port security and that kind of thing.

I'm sure that eventually all that stuff will be worked out, but for now, it's still kinda bleeding edge.

[Murf]

This is off-topic, doesn't belong in Hardware, we really don't have a forum to post this in, but very interesting reading so moved it here.

Admin may closed, will see.

[Nix]

Before they do, and me posting will seal it, when our power goes out we can still use the phone line with an old style non cordless phone - we ust have to find it out wher we stored it, which if it's dark can be quite hard.

[Byan]

Originally posted by Murf
This is off-topic, doesn't belong in Hardware, we really don't have a forum to post this in, but very interesting reading so moved it here.

Admin may closed, will see.

yeah, I really didn't know where to put it..., I figured it would be the saftest to put it in the main forum..., which seemed to be the hardware forum...

You guys really should add a 'Random thoughts' forum or something like...

Byan

[Nix]

Originally posted by Byan
You guys really should add a 'Random thoughts' forum or something like...

Don't even go there......

[P3-450]

Originally posted by Nix
Don't even go there......

HAHA

[VerLux]

Originally posted by K G G
Now as far as IP addresses for everyone - I don't know about that. Considering the world's population, that be kinda hard from a number-management standpoint (a lot of Subnets?).

http://playground.sun.com/pub/ipng/html/ipng-main.html

[steppenwolf]

mark twain hated phones and i sort of hate the net.. everyone wants you to email back right way

sick of it