Iobi
Encyclopedia
iobi, is a way of providing and managing
telephone
services over the Internet
or PSTN
-based telephone. Among capabilities, a registered customer could use a connected personal computer
to dial a phone number and then speak to the person, they can check their voicemail
messages over computer, or additionally customers could select to have specific callers permanently blocked
from dialing the subscriber's telephone number, such as from telemarketers.
Like VOIP (voice over IP) or Internet phone, iobi is a "network-based convergent
solution that integrates communication services from landline
and mobile phones to PCs, laptops and PDA
s." Verizon was one of the ISPs to offer the integrated services under the iobi name. The service has become grandfathered and has been replaced by a service named Call Assistant, which provides much of the same services as above, except customers are no longer able to block or ban certain telephone numbers from dialing the subscriber.
Call management
In telecommunications, call management is the process of designing and implementing rules and parameters governing the routing of inbound telephone calls through a network. These rules can specify how calls are distributed according to the time and/or date of the call as well as the location of the...
telephone
Telephone
The telephone , colloquially referred to as a phone, is a telecommunications device that transmits and receives sounds, usually the human voice. Telephones are a point-to-point communication system whose most basic function is to allow two people separated by large distances to talk to each other...
services over the Internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
or PSTN
Public switched telephone network
The public switched telephone network is the network of the world's public circuit-switched telephone networks. It consists of telephone lines, fiber optic cables, microwave transmission links, cellular networks, communications satellites, and undersea telephone cables, all inter-connected by...
-based telephone. Among capabilities, a registered customer could use a connected personal computer
Personal computer
A personal computer is any general-purpose computer whose size, capabilities, and original sales price make it useful for individuals, and which is intended to be operated directly by an end-user with no intervening computer operator...
to dial a phone number and then speak to the person, they can check their voicemail
Voicemail
Voicemail is a computer based system that allows users and subscribers to exchange personal voice messages; to select and deliver voice information; and to process transactions relating to individuals, organizations, products and services, using an ordinary telephone...
messages over computer, or additionally customers could select to have specific callers permanently blocked
Call Blocking
Call blocking is the ability to prevent incoming telephone calls from a given phone number. Various methods of call blocking include:*Sending caller to voicemail*Sending caller to busy signal*Sending caller to "Number No Longer in Service"...
from dialing the subscriber's telephone number, such as from telemarketers.
Like VOIP (voice over IP) or Internet phone, iobi is a "network-based convergent
Convergence (telecommunications)
Telecommunications convergence, network convergence or simply convergence are broad terms used to describe emerging telecommunications technologies, and network architecture used to migrate multiple communications services into a single network...
solution that integrates communication services from landline
Landline
A landline was originally an overland telegraph wire, as opposed to an undersea cable. Currently, landline refers to a telephone line which travels through a solid medium, either metal wire or optical fibre, as distinguished from a mobile cellular line, where transmission is via radio waves...
and mobile phones to PCs, laptops and PDA
Personal digital assistant
A personal digital assistant , also known as a palmtop computer, or personal data assistant, is a mobile device that functions as a personal information manager. Current PDAs often have the ability to connect to the Internet...
s." Verizon was one of the ISPs to offer the integrated services under the iobi name. The service has become grandfathered and has been replaced by a service named Call Assistant, which provides much of the same services as above, except customers are no longer able to block or ban certain telephone numbers from dialing the subscriber.