H.323 Global Network FAQ

What is the H.323 Global Network?

The H.323 Global Network (HGN) is a network interconnected video conferencing systems, desktop video phones, and video softphones around the world using the international standard H.323.

I am an end user, so how can I use the H.323 Global Network?

It's simple. Just create an account on h323.net, download a supported client like Spranto, and you can immediately start making voice and video calls for free!

What is H.323?

H.323 is a video conferencing protocol standardized by the ITU-T that operates over IP networks and has enjoyed worldwide success both for videoconferencing and IP Telephony. The most recent version of H.323, H.323 Version 7, was standardized approved in November 2009. Virtually every manufacturer of video conferencing equipment supports H.323 today. If your videoconferencing system works over IP, it is quite likely an H.323-based system.

Why the Need for an H.323 Global Network?

Most videoconferencing systems, desktop video phones, and video softphones that support H.323 are not interconnected today. They exist on little "islands", unfortunately. Most users are only able to talk to a small number of users with which their hardware or software products have been configured to communicate. The H.323 Global Network site helps address this issue by publishing information so that equipment owners can configure their equipment properly to interconnect with the rest of the world, providing individuals with an account on the HGN site they can use to communicate with other users, and providing technical support services via a mailing list and discussion forum.

Can I Connect My H.323 Device?

Absolutely, though you may need to upgrade the software in your product or utilize the widely popular GnuGK in order to address some of the deficiencies with older hardware and software products. The HGN uses some of the more advanced features of the H.323 standard and not all products have caught up with the enhancements in standard. Review the Configuration Guide in order to see what you may need.

How Do I Call Other Users?

What we are trying to do with the H.323 Global Network is to move away from old phone numbers used with legacy communications equipment and use addresses that look like email addresses. So, you contact a user using an address like user@example.com. Of course, not all user equipment today supports this form of addresses known as H.323 URLs. For that reason, we also provide a means of contacting users using numbers that look like traditional phone numbers. Every individual registered on h323.net will be assigned a phone number and enterprises may be assigned phone numbers as a part of the H.323 Global Network numbering plan, or they may register their existing phone numbers with NRENum.net. The H.323 Global Network will use ENUM to resolve addresses that look like phone numbers!

We really, really want to get away from those old legacy phone numbers, though. So, our plea to the Community is to try pushing to make the network addressable primarily by H.323 URLs, even if that means assigning URLs to equipment like 12345@mycompany.com. This will be a challenge, but let's set a goal of getting there within a few years.

Does My Company Have to Register with the H.323 Global Network?

No, you do not. To be a part of the H.323 Global Network, you merely need to configure your equipment to be compatible with the HGN. Your organization owns and manages every aspect of your connectivity into the HGN. The HGN is a fully-federated network, meaning that each domain owner operates its network elements, including DNS, Gatekeepers, and videoconferencing equipment much like it does for other Internet services like email or web. As such, the H.323 Global Network Project does not control the H.323 Global Network, but is merely serving in a capacity to help everyone get interconnected.

Does it Cost Anything?

No, there is no cost whatsoever. You can create an account on h323.net and use as much or as little as you like to communicate with others around the world using videoconferencing. An enterprise or any domain owner may also operate its own part of the HGN by configuring DNS properly and, optionally, getting phone numbers that are compatible with the HGN.

What If We Need to Change H.323?

If we identify a need to change the H.323 standard, we'll work with the ITU to get the standard revised accordingly. Some of the people involved in this effort are actively involved in the standardization of H.323, so the possibility definitely exists to enhance the standard in order to address the needs of the HGN.

What If I Find Something Broken?

Let us know! We're committed to addressing any obstacles to make the HGN a success.