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Voice over internet protocol, IP telephony or voice over broadband, is the technology that makes it possible to transform audio data, as in a telephone call, into digital data that are then transmitted over the internet or other IP-based computer networks, or we can simply designate them as voice calls over the internet. It has been on the move since the 1990s but was overlooked due to lack of development and adherence by the public. It has the advantages of free, but limited, phone calls that are functional only from VOIP to VOIP.

The programs that use this system and distribute for free are: WhatsApp, Skype, UOL VOIP, Viber, Google Hangouts, Facebook, and more.

3CX versus Asterisk

Dubbed the best IP telephony, 3CX is a VOIP software developer with international operations. Present in important countries, whether developed or not, which expanded their communications thanks to telephone services, this company operates in the telecommunications industry of software development. In 2006 it launched the first version of the 3CX Phone System, a system based on SIP that allows several extensions to make calls through VOIP services, this system was first designed as a VOIP solution for Windows, but systems such as macOS and smartphones (iOS, Android ) have also been implemented. The 3CX Phone System is distributed by Linux and is designed to perform a complete unified communications structure.

3CX is compatible with Windows, Linux, Google Amazon, in addition to being executable and virtualized on Hyper-V, VM, and mini PC. As for VOIP security, its security systems have been designed analytically and well structured to protect the PBX from dangerous attacks. It also provides a complete PBX IP system (which includes features with presence, voice chat, video conference, CRM, call conference, web conference, chat, fax to email, live chat, and other more features).

It has an ISO image with a free license for editing, 3CX PBX, a standard Debian installer, which provides a minimal system with a Web server, ngenX, Postgre SQL database, Secure shell, and a firewall.

In addition to the distribution, the 3CX phone system can also be installed separately in the cloud and on most hardware, has a great connection quality, and a cost reduction of up to 80% compared to competitors.

In the process of the new coronavirus pandemic, the devastating global crisis, 3CX offered the public three free years of the system to run in the cloud or locally, in addition to having already made available its free applications, which provided call services and even video conferences. This system will also configure all supported peripherals and even comes with clients such as Windows, Android, iOS, and more.

Among its list of clients are companies such as BOSS, Pepsi, NHS, Wilson, and more internationally known companies from different high production industries.

Asterisk was created in 1999, it is a free software advanced in terms of API that supplements the features of a conventional PBX using VOIP. Although it has sponsorship, it receives contributions worldwide, having more than 50,000 active forums and more than 200 VOIP providers around the world, it is an open-source service and has been showing an active and promising development. What Asterisk basically and fascinatingly does is to transform a theoretically simple computer into a multiple communications server, it performs all the functions of a conventional telephone exchange through the main technologies on the market, such as VOIP, TDM, and more.

It is software adopted by small and medium companies and to make telephone calls over the TCPMP network it uses open protocols such as SIP, IAX2, Skype, H.323, MGCP, Google Talk, Skinny, and more. In addition to being compatible with systems such as IVR, DAC, it also supports PBX’s Analogues and digital IP telephony, voice chat, Media Gateaway, and PBX IP.

It is a free framework, sponsored by Sangoma, and its operating systems are Linux, MacOSX, Solaris, Windows (Asterisk Win 32), NetBSP, OpenBSD, and FreeBSD. Asterisk is used in more than 150 countries and has millions of servers around the world.

Analysis

The main versions of 3CX were based on Asterisk, like the vast majority of SIP systems, and unlike 3CX which is a PBX IP VOIP, Asterisk is a framework where you can create PBX, IVR systems, and other controls that are practically impossible to reach with a PBX. It is also possible to add new features through the Asterisk dial plan. While 3CX accumulates modernity and contemporaneity, adapting its services to the advancement of technology, thus providing, perhaps, a higher level of quality than Asterisk, even if it has more time, experience, and dominance in the market and industry.