Table of Contents:

Definition and Overview

1. Introduction

2. Clearinghouses: More Than Termination Points

3. Operations Models

4. Technical Requirements

5. The Business Case

6. Summary: Clearinghouse Operations Create Value

Self-Test

Glossary

PDF of this tutorial

Definition
Clearinghouses provide Internet service providers (ISPs), Internet telephony service providers (ITSPs), and telecommunications companies with a complete solution, enabling them to offer Internet telephony, fax, and a range of value-added services. Clearinghouses act as intermediaries for the financial settlement of Internet telephony and fax traffic and guarantee payment to all members.

Overview
This tutorial describes how Internet protocol (IP)–telephony clearinghouses operate, from a technical, operational, and business perspective.