Voice over IP Bandwidth Calculator

Posted: 02/18/2002

Abstract:

The "Voice over IP Calculator" has been designed to allow network planners to quickly estimate the bandwidth savings associated with voice over IP. Although reduced bandwidth is not the only benefit of voice over IP it is of significance to most people considering the technology. The calculator takes calling volumes, grade of service and CODEC configuration as input and produces the bandwidth requirements for a set of virtual voice trunks. It also computes the equivalent bandwidth that would be required if the same service were provided using conventional 64 kbps circuit switching. It runs as a Visual Basic application in an Excel spreadsheet and is quick and easy to use. If an enterprise plans to use bandwidth savings, as one justification for migrating to voice over IP this convenient tool will provide a quick estimate of how substantial the savings will be.

Gary Zielke is a registered Professional Electrical Engineer who has been involved in the telecommunications industry for over 30 years. He has held managerial positions within an operating telephone company as well as independent consulting companies. Network design is his area of specialization. He has developed several computerized tools for the design, simulation, and optimization of voice and data networks. He has authored papers and conducted seminars on the subject, throughout Canada, the U.S.A., and Europe. His expertise also includes TCP/IP and ATM, which has been a distinct asset in providing Voice over IP training. Having personally developed some of the design techniques in use today, he brings to his clients a rare insight into design problems that is not commonly available.