May 15, 2013
Keith Wagstaff recently penned an article about the demise of the computer mouse. The computer’s partner in crime has fallen out of fashion with the rise of touch technology. However, the computer mouse isn’t the only technological relic falling by the wayside. Old analog phone technology is also on its last legs of life.

Of course, some technology, like cheap Internet calling and touch technology, continue to skyrocket in popularity. To chime in on the discussion of the rise and fall of analog versus Internet technology, My VoIP Provider reveals the top 3 technologies on the rise and 2 technologies on their way out.

1. VoIP Phone Service
   VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is the technology that allows users to make phone calls over the Internet instead of over analog telephone lines. VoIP is a low-priced method of calling, and often saves users up to 80% on their monthly phone bill. Most VoIP providers offer unlimited nationwide calling, and many providers offer unlimited international calling. Along with cheap Internet calling, VoIP plans often include a ton of free phone features, like 3-way calling, caller ID, and voicemail. One in four Americans have already used VoIP technology, and the numbers are still growing.
2. Fiber Optic Internet
   One of the biggest tech new stories this year is Google’s expansion of its fiber optic networks. In fact, Google just announced that Gladstone, MO is the next town to join the Google “fiberhood”. Fiber optics provide Internet speeds up to 100 times faster than the current average Internet speeds. Google is spearheading the fiber optic expansion, starting in Kansas and spreading out to Missouri, Utah, and Texas. Not only is Internet speed faster and stronger with fiber optics, but voice quality with Residential VoIP is also crystal clear with this modern Internet technology.
3. Tablets and Smartphones
   All one has to do is look around at any coffee shop or bus station to see that tablets and smartphones are all the rage. Early this year, smartphone sales finally outpaced sales of standard cell phones. Tablets, too, are outpacing older technology and are expected to bring in $64 billion this year. Internet-enabled devices can go anywhere with users. And VoIP users can utilize Mobile VoIP so they have cheap Internet phone service when they travel out of state, out of the country, or just out of the house.

1. The PSTN The PSTN (public switched telephone network) is the infrastructure that connects the nationwide phone service that runs off of analog phone wires. The PSTN has drastically lost favor with users, as most callers now use cellular service, or cheap Internet calling with VoIP. Experts predict that only 6% of Americans will use the PSTN by 2018, which is the projected death date of the PSTN.
2. Analog Phones When was the last time anyone got tangled in a phone cord? The old analog phone has all but disappeared from US homes in the past decade, as more people prefer cellular technology or IP technology using PC-to-PC calling or IP phones. Users want cheap calling technology without the bundle of wires and bills.

The old computer mouse, the PSTN, and the old analog phone are on their way out, but stronger faster Internet and VoIP technology is up and coming and not going anywhere for a very long time to come.