Personal computers were not designed initially to relay verbal telephone communication, which is now possible via the Internet.
Video conferencing and telephony over the Net is still in its early stages and the varying quality of Net conversations has yet to been addressed by PC companies.
Line standards will vary because telephone quality speech requires speeds of 8,000 bytes per second of bandwidth, four times faster than what a 14.4 kilobits per second modem can receive.
In Hong Kong, such phone calls require a PC, software that enables audio applications over the Internet, and sound card. A microphone and speakers are used in place of a telephone.
According to Jeff Hurmuses, Polycom managing director for Asia Pacific, there is a great demand for Internet telephony, but until now quality audio products have not been available to cater to the new market demand.
Polycom, a maker of audio conferencing and tele-conferencing products, has introduced a phone system that facilitates clear, hands-free Internet calls.