IT with Ashley Griffin

Ashley Griffin, our Member Expert, and a network specialist operating under the company Griffcomm Inc. in Canada, discusses Voice over IP (VoIP) with SBCN Co-Founder Linda Ockwell-Jenner. VoIP, essentially a technology replacing traditional phone systems, allows for internet-based calls. Initially developed in the late 1990s, it faced challenges due to slow network speeds – around 10 megabits per second – making it difficult to handle multiple voice conversations. As networks improved in the mid-2000s, VoIP became viable, allowing businesses to connect hundreds of users. Ashley explains that while many larger organizations utilize VoIP today, smaller businesses often rely on traditional phone lines and PBX systems. He highlights the potential risks of using cloud-based VoIP solutions, emphasizing the importance of owning the phone number to avoid losing it if service is discontinued. Ashley also showcases a mobile Wi-Fi phone that connects to Wi-Fi networks, providing a remote access point to a business’s VoIP system.