# Channels

> Learn about voice channels in Vivox Core.

In Vivox, communication happens within channels.

Channels are a resource that is used to provide audio or text to one or more participants. An individual channel is identified in the Vivox system by using a URI.

Channels support the following functionality:

* Voice (optionally rendered with 3D effects)
* Text
* Muting a user for all users in the channel
* Muting a user for oneself
* Forced removal of a user from a channel ("kick")

Channels have the following characteristics:

* A channel is identified by a URI.
* A channel URI is assigned by the game.
* Channels are platform-agnostic, so game clients running on different platforms can interoperate with each other.
* Channels are created at the moment of the first join request.
* Inactive channels consume no Vivox resources.
* The Vivox platform automatically load balances channels. Developers do not need to locate channels on a particular server.