Definition of Telephone Conferencing

There are two main types of automated business telephone conferencing--hosted and user paid. Phone conferencing calls for the use of telephonic equipment and technology to bring in multiple users--anywhere from two to 50 people--on one conference. Larger systems can hold more than 4,000 users on one call, some up to 10,000 and even more. A moderator "controls" the conference by having the user tools to bring others in and out of the conversation at will. Most of these calls allow users to "raise their hand" by pushing a designated button to get the moderator's attention.

The Big Picture

Teleconferencing isn't all audio or voice (by telephone). The upgraded systems include integrated web and video technologies that combine different communication mediums for a streamlined effect, in managing conferences. Some even include instant messaging technology where people can talk in private or one-on-one during the conference without interfering with others on the call.

How to Conference a Call

Meeting participants dial into the same conference telephone number and then key in other information, such as meeting room number or a pin code that distinguishes that conference from other conferences taking place at the same time. Like the Internet, there are "open" public conferences and private "insider" conferences that work pretty much like a corporate Intranet where only designated persons who work within the company have access to the call. Once the call is made, it goes to an integrated platform where the moderator is notified that someone else has joined the call. They are usually given an opportunity to introduce themselves before the moderator mutes all callers so that they speaker can talk without interruption. Minimal instructions are given to users, letting them know how to "raise their hand," or how to mute a call. The call is usually followed up by a question and answer session, through what is called a communication line, or dashboard, which allows callers to come in under a controlled structure and ask questions or make comments. In smaller structures, the initiating caller has to put one caller on hold, dial the other participant or participants (up to three per call), then press a certain button so that all the participants can be on the call at once. These smaller structures have limited, if any, processes for controlling the call.

Conference Call Billing Structures

When it is a user paid conference, telephone conferencing is billed "per call" to each participant's phone number. When it is a hosted conference, the company host usually pays a flat fee or an initiation call fee plus per minute usage. In a corporate conference, of course, the corporation pays the complete cost of the conference according to the agreement with its phone company supplier. In some cases, a pre-paid calling card is used.

What Is SSL Encrypting?

SSL is the abbreviation for Secure Sockets Layer, a protocol developed by Netscape for transmitting private documents via the Internet. SSL uses a system that encrypts data to keep conferencing systems or other Internet and telephony applications from being intercepted by outside sources. It is usually used to hide sensitive and private information, such as credit card numbers, but can also be used for encrypting phone calls, particularly those that take place online. Other technologies are used for mobile and land lines, as well.

Uses and Applications

Built-in systems are audio or videoconferencing systems that are permanently built into a room featuring electronics housed in custom-built cabinets. Typical uses of these systems are for a board of directors or in distance education rooms. An hour rebroadcast is used when conference moderators would like for a pre-recorded call to be available for another 24 hours. After a conference call, what is called a "live call summary" can summarize the participants on a given conference call. These are but scant few of the uses and applications of conferencing telephony and more uses are being discovered every day.