--- title: Gamblers and Preppies - ECG description: "In VoIP Carrier networks, as in other complex systems, there are two types of problems. I'll call these \"Preppy\" problems, and \"Gambling\" problems. Preppy" --- [![ECG](https://www.ecg.co/hubfs/lp/cloud-migration/logo-vector.svg)](https://www.ecg.co) - Who We Are Company [**About ECG** Learn about the team behind the networks and services that solve real problems.](https://www.ecg.co/about) [**Careers** Join a fun, collaborative, engineer-owned company.](https://www.ecg.co/careers) Industries We Serve [**Enterprises** Optimize multi-site voice networks while meeting compliance requirements.](https://www.ecg.co/sectors/enterprise) [**Universities** Professional services designed for the unique needs of campus networks.](https://www.ecg.co/sectors/universities) [**Government** Engineering services built for government agency voice challenges.](https://www.ecg.co/sectors/government) [**Service Providers** Deep voice expertise to maintain compliance and keep customers connected.](https://www.ecg.co/sectors/service-providers) - Technologies **Carrier & Trunking Services** SIP trunking, resilience & carrier interconnect **Compliance & Call Authentication** STIR/SHAKEN, 603+ & secure signaling **Unified Communications & Collaboration** UC capabilities & platform expertise **Platform Reliability & Security** Infrastructure, capture & network fundamentals ### Carrier & Trunking Services Design, harden, and secure the carrier side of your voice network — from SIP trunking to encrypted media and compliant recording. 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I'll call these "Preppy" problems, and "Gambling" problems. Preppy problems occur when you're at the limits of achievable quality within the tolerable costs. -- A physical device fails. -- A generally good algorithm has a memory leak. -- A hacker finds a way to exploit a defect in your firewall. -- VoIP through a link with guaranteed prioritization for voice packets occasionally drops voice packets when the link isn't saturated. Gambling problems happen when you have large risks, but you're typically just lucky. -- VoIP across the Internet has occasional audio quality. -- You use the word "password" as your password, and don't usually get attacked. It's important to make a distinction, because solving them is the responsibility of two different groups: The Preppy problems are the domain of scientist, researchers, and product developers. Their goal is to push the boundaries of quality, reliability, and robustness. The Gambler problems are the domain of every engineer or business owner. They are the risks you're taking when you run a business and assemble someone else's components into a product. For example, occasional bad voice quality due to packet drops across the Internet are Gambler problems, because there are engineering ways to prevent that problem. Location:[Arrivals Rd,Philadelphia,United States](http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Arrivals%20Rd,Philadelphia,United%20States%4039.880004%2C-75.239530&z=10) ![](https://www.ecg.co/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/missing-image-Mar-25-2024-07-07-22-4234-AM.png?width=1&height=1&name=missing-image-Mar-25-2024-07-07-22-4234-AM.png) ## Similar posts [![The War over DNS and VoIP](https://www.ecg.co/hubfs/ecg-site/blog-listing-placeholder.jpg)](https://www.ecg.co/blog/62-the-war-over-dns-and-voip) ### [The War over DNS and VoIP](https://www.ecg.co/blog/62-the-war-over-dns-and-voip) [![SIP and Fragments: Together Forever?](https://www.ecg.co/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/regular_26664897842_9f2f1b18db_o-1.jpg)](https://www.ecg.co/blog/125-sip-and-fragments-together-forever) ### [SIP and Fragments: Together Forever?](https://www.ecg.co/blog/125-sip-and-fragments-together-forever) [![5 Ways To Prepare Your Network for Longevity](https://www.ecg.co/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/regular_ecg_blog_preparingnetworklongevity-1-1.jpg)](https://www.ecg.co/blog/181-5-ways-to-prepare-your-network-for-longevity) ### [5 Ways To Prepare Your Network for Longevity](https://www.ecg.co/blog/181-5-ways-to-prepare-your-network-for-longevity) ## Need Help With Your Network or AI Project? 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