VoIP is the recent revolution in voice based processes. With Voice over IP, you can make calls at ease over broadband Internet connections. The VoIP services also vary in their nature. Some of these services allow you to make calls to other people using broadband connections. While others offer you the scope for making calls to anyone with a telephone number, which could be local, mobile or international. This new and innovative technology can be used for making calls to a computers as well as traditional phones.
Like with all other services, the services pertaining to VoIP also faces competition from certain quarters. However, the fact that it is able to hold its own despite the intense competition goes to show the strength of the underlying technology. And there are several merits that can be attributed to this service.
Unlike the cable network connection, the VoIP services can be availed without any extra wires. A broadband internet connection is all that is required in many instances. And the best part is often the optimized “voice quality” that can be attributed to the broad bandwidth of the network connections. Such connections are also reliable as users know what bills they have to pay at the end of the month. So, that adds to the reliability of this latest technology. There are also other options that Voice over IP offers. These are facilities such as call waiting, visual voicemail, caller ID and even weather alerts. Then there may be free call to European countries.
Many a times, the VoIP service also comes with free software. Potential users can make the most of these software options to make no-cost voice calls to any person in the world. The VoIP phone service can be accessed in a variety of ways. There are packages meant exclusively for residential and business lines. You can also remain hassle free by pre-paying for the entire year. It is a one-stop solution for everything as it offers access points, local phone numbers and feature rich services and so things become very simple. With the VoIP service providers having units almost everywhere, accessing these services become quite easy. Moreover, these services are easy to set up and save a lot of your money. As a matter of fact, a VoIP phone service provides more features as compared to most other phone services.
VoIP started off as a computer to computer communication system and later developed to the telephone to telephone service. The free structure also differs. There may be plans such as 500 calling minutes which means that beyond 500 minutes, the user is charged in per minute rates. This per minute rate differs for local and international calls. Calling with VoIP also becomes very fast. Features like Voicemail, Caller ID, speed dial, 3-way calling make all that possible. Then there are also other interesting services. The service providers transfer their existing telephone numbers to their service choosing an area code that is different from the one that you live in. This enables you to access internet connection using a portable telephone adapter anywhere you go.
The VoIP phone service is also easy to install and setup. For any such service, the pre-requisite is that there is a high speed internet connection. For services that involve computer to computer connection, special software is required. For telephone to telephone service, only a telephone adapter is required. So, VoIP services are an inexpensive and functional technology that is an alternative to the traditional analog telephone services.
So, now with VoIP, the dream of wireless telephony is realised. Voice over IP can be accessed either from a personal PC or a standard telephone connected to a special adapter. Nowadays there are many VoIP service providers in UK. The difference lays in the rates that each of these service providers charge for in case of long-distance or overseas calls. Most of the service providers offer call forwarding, call waiting and call display in their monthly bills. So, it is left upon you to choose a plan that would be the most economical for you.
By: Kristen Kiya
Posts Tagged ‘Broadband Internet Connection’
VOIP Telephony – The Benefits and Limitations
January 25th, 2010
Previously we explored the history and technology that gave
rise to VOIP Telephone service (*see footnotes). Today we will examine
some of the benefits and also the drawbacks of this new opportunity.
In previous articles we discovered that traditional “Landline” type
phone service is set up much like a “Toll Highway”. Billing starts
when the “Circuit” is opened, and continues until it is closed.
Just like travelling down a Tollway, the longer you stay on, and the
farther you travel, the more “Toll Booths” you pass through. These
toll booths are the phone company’s switches, and you get charged
for every one that you pass through.
In contrast, VOIP phones use “Packet” switching. As the broadband
Internet connection is always open, digitized voice signals are
sent to the receiver in discrete packets. The result is that no
“dead air” exists on the line, as no traffic is sent when there is
a lull or pause in the conversation. This allows several two-way
conversations to use the same “bandwidth”, or space that previously
was tied up by ONE call.
This has resulted in great economy for VOIP providers who in turn
pass along the savings to the end user. Most top VOIP plans run
around 30 dollars a month, and the best include International calls
to many countries worldwide within that base fee along with a host
of features like Voice Mail, Caller ID, Call Waiting, Three-way
Calling, Online Access, Etc.
While most major traditional carriers have an “all inclusive” plan,
none that I know of include International calling, and most of their
“basic” plans are double the cost of VOIP. In my experience, the most
coveted features are also charged extra for. Add in the taxes and fees,
and all of a sudden you’re talking REAL money!
The other great benefit of VOIP is the ability to take your device
anywhere and make calls just like you were at home. The best services
are fully find-me, follow-me capable. This means that wherever you
happen to be, your phone number will find you and ring at THAT location.
I use mine with a Laptop, a cheap cigarette lighter a/c converter,
a wireless card, and an old “princess” phone in my truck parked outside
of hotspots all the time. That’s huge. You can have your office in
whatever hotel or airport or Starbucks you happen to be in at the moment.
Having covered most of the benefits of VOIP, let’s examine some of
the drawbacks. The major one is spotty 911 service availability. As
the device is portable, any call to 911 will result in emergency
crews being sent to the device’s address of record, which is set up
when you activate the VOIP device and service. Obviously this doesn’t
do you much good if you are in a hotel in Montana but live in Ohio.
One way around this is to change your address with your provider when
you travel, and then change it back when you return home. Of course,
this only works with domestic addresses, and you must remember to do it.
A better way is to ignore the issue entirely, and keep a very basic,
cheap, no frills service plan with your local phone provider. This will
still be cheaper by far than a full blown plan. Also, you avoid the other
main issue with VOIP- Power Outages. If power goes out, or you lose your
Internet Connection, you lose your phone service. Of course, you run
that risk with today’s cordless phones too, so it’s always a good idea
to have an old hardwired phone around the house, or at least a cell
phone available.
By: Glenn Grundberg
The Advantages of VoIP Phone Systems
January 2nd, 2010
Telephone service that started out as linked, twisted, and insulated wires for voice communications have been replaced by advanced technology, such as VoIP phone systems. IP telephone technology called Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP technology has opened new technological ways to work from your on computer and link voice and data communications. VoIP phone service utilizes your computers transmission methods to send voice communications that are offered at a low monthly access fee and includes free long distance calling and other features such as voicemails that are converted to text messages.
Traditionally, long distance service flowed over to “trunk lines” and a hefty charge was incurred to cover costs. Now unlimited long distance may be included in a reasonable flat fee as part of your VoIP phone service, utilizing your computer and even many mobile phone services offer nationwide long distance free of charge due to use of satellite signals.
Voice over Internet Protocol phone service uses a broadband Internet connection and IP phones to transmit conversations in data packets and convert them back to voice communications, coming through your computer or a telephone. IP telephone service offers free or lower cost connections using Wi-Fi hotspots and because it flows through your computer, includes free long distance access as well.
Mobile phones are capable of allowing you to browse the Internet and read emails and are a portable communication device. VoIP phone services flow voice communications through a computer and is similar to the satellite connectivity that has transformed many non-telephone electronic devices, into multi-tasking, hand-held telephone and data devices. Through VoIP technology, home telephone service may cease to exist in the form of landlines, as we know it today.
VoIP technology can be used in remote areas that have wireless access or hotspots to the Internet. Because it uses an IP address connection, all of your data and voice communications can be consolidated into one low monthly bill that saves you the long distance charges. Many VOIP Phone service plans have also reduced international calling plans.
The cost savings of landline charges and long distances are the primary reason that many people are switching to VoIP phone services, due to it being far more affordable and reliable. As technology has advanced, there are ultra-portable laptops that use mobile broadband networks and VOIP phone service can be integrated in much the same way. VoIP is a way that communications of all kinds can utilize internet connections to transmit data packets of voice communications, photos or data.
As wireless internet hotspots become more popular and widespread, it is possible to get a VoIP phone service that utilizes these for coverage whether at home or away, through your IP address. New technology that takes advantage of these lower cost signals is becoming widespread through many products and services. The advantages of VoIP phone systems are many, but the cost savings can be dramatic, depending on the amount of long distance usage and line charges you have been incurring with traditional phone services.
By: Derek Rogers
