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
recipients 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