Big River Telephone installs VOIP technology

Big River Telephone, a Cape Girardeau-based competitive telephone company serving Southeast Missouri, Southern Illinois and Western Kentucky, recently completed the installation of its Voice Over IP local switched network.

Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) is a rapidly emerging technology for voice and data communication that uses the ubiquity of Internet-based networks to deploy VOIP-enabled devices in enterprise and home environments.

VOIP-enabled devices that are installed in businesses or in individual homes decrease the cost of voice and data communications, enhance existing features, and add compelling new telephony features and services.

Big River Telephone has invested heavily in installing a network that is a significant upgrade compared to the network used by monopoly telephone companies, according to Kevin Keaveny, vice president of network engineering. The new technological enhancements from Big River Telephone have provided its customers with newer application more cost effectively than what had previously been available.

Technically, VOIP combines high-speed data with voice signals over the same connection. This new approach allows Big River to deliver regular telephone service with enhanced features, as well as high-speed Internet and other data services to large and small businesses, as well as to residential customers.

"The promises of new technology that customers have heard about for years from the local telephone monopolies is reality with Big River Telephone Company," said Keaveny.

"Of course the quality of the VOIP network is better than the traditional telephone network. All of the signal is digital which allows for the removal of noise and static. We have been using VOIP in our long distance network for over a year and have had great success," said Keaveny. "Some of our more advanced customers are already using our network to add functionality and reduce their long distance costs."