[Asterisk-Users] Is Asterisk the right tool?

[Paul Klipp]

I want to create a VoIP solution to allow many members of a closed community
to talk to each other (one on one) via soft phones. In many ways, what I
want is not unlike Skype, except that it would allow for relative anonymity
and be open only to a select group. The system should support as many as 500
simultaneous users located on different continents. 

Is Asterisk an appropriate tool to use in such a scenario, assuming that
hardware and bandwidth issues could be surmounted?

I appreciate any advice.

Perhaps, maybe, soon-to-be Asterisk user.

Paul