For quite some time since its inception, the Internet was nothing more than a virtual platform for people to meet and communicate with each other in a non-verbal fashion. Apart from bringing the whole world closer through chat rooms and emails, there wasn’t much that the Internet could do to connect users verbally. This scenario changed with the entry of the VoIP technology that gave users a much needed verbal communication platform.
As far as the development is concerned from a manufacturer’s point of view, it is just another usual turn of events. However, users have a different story to tell about the VoIP technology, which has actually narrowed the distance between them and their friends to a great extent. Internet users can now talk to their friends and relatives over Internet telephones or VoIP phones, to be precise through this technology.
The VoIP technology works on the calculation of transmitting voice calls over the Internet or through an IP based network. Through this technology, two kinds of phone services are available in the form of regular telephone adapter based VoIP phones and software based VoIP phones. The former can be used to make and receive calls to and from any phone, while the software based VoIP phones need a computer to transmit the voice signals.
To enjoy the benefits of the VoIP technology, all you need is a broadband Internet connection or your regular telephone that is connected to an Analog Telephone Adapter (ATA) given by the provider to get going. With several impressive options laid out through this technology in the form of voice mails, caller ID, call forwarding, etc., VoIP phone users stand to gain a lot.
By: Dennis Jaylon
Posts Tagged ‘Caller Id’
VoIP – The Technology That Keeps You Talking
November 12th, 2009VOIP Technology – the Next Step in Phone Industry
November 11th, 2009
Most likely, voip will replace telephone service in the near future. VOIP is becoming very reliable and thus, receiving acceptance. Phone companies are already taking advantage of the technology to provide inexpensive long distance rates.
Voip generally has low costs, which is one big indicator of its growing popularity. You can sign up with a voip service provider for a monthly fee and get unlimited calls within a specified geographic area. There are some voip services in the United States that allow connections for no extra charge.
There is another benefit of having voip as opposed to a regular form, and this comes in the form of portability. You can make and receive phone calls wherever there is a broadband connection by simply signing in to your voip account.
When you are traveling, you simply pack a headset or Internet phone. Internet phones are small and light enough to take anywhere. When you sign up with a voip service provider, the Internet phone or adaptor used by that service is assigned a unique number. This ‘phone number’ remains valid, even if your voip service is in San Diego and you are connected to the Internet in Spain. When plugged into a broadband connection, anywhere in the world, you can make and receive calls as though you were at home.
Call forwarding, call waiting, voicemail, caller ID and 3way-calling, are included with Internet telephone at no extra charge. While you are talking on the phone, you can send pictures and documents at the same time.
Although there are many attributes to a voip phone, there are also some things to consider that could fall on the negative spectrum. For one, services are not useful in emergencies. Traditional phone equipment can trace the locations of calls. Emergency calls are diverted to the nearest call center where the operator can identify your location, in the event you can’t talk. With voip, there is no way currently to determine where Internet calls are originating.
Standard phone service continues by the current supplied through the phone line during a blackout. This isn’t possible with Internet phones. When the power goes, there goes voip service. Battery backups and power generators that provide electricity are solutions to the problem.
In addition, you should keep in mind that voip has sound quality and reliability problems. Data sent across the Internet usually arrives at its destination scrambled. E-mail and documents can be reassembled in the correct order when it arrives. Voice data also arrives scrambled, but it’s more complicated because of the real-time nature of VOIP. Some data packets may have to be dropped when they don’t arrive in time, in order to make voice connections with the least delay. Distance and speed of the connection determine the amount of data lost. Some networks receive more traffic and thus are more likely to cause audio dropouts.
By: Groshan Fabiola
VoIP – Pros and Cons
October 11th, 2009
VOIP is short for Voice Over Internet Protocol, what that means is that your phone calls will be made through an internet connection, rather than through standard telephone land lines. Though it’s relatively new, many people have decided to switch over to VOIP phone service for a number of reasons.
One of the biggest advantages of VOIP is that no matter where you are, if you can connect to the internet, you can make and receive phone calls. In many cases, service providers will offer a package that allows local calling from anywhere in the world. What this means is that if you call any phone number in your local home phone area, even if you are across the world, it will be charged as a local call. This is the same if anyone in your local home area calls your number, even if you’re somewhere else, it’s a local call.
Another advantage of VOIP is that most providers include extra features, such as caller ID, call forwarding, 3 way calling and auto redial. These features can be costly with standard phone service. VOIP also works with many instant messaging programs like MSN, Google Talk and Skype. It can also be used for file sharing, video conferencing, voice conferencing and other internet based applications.
VOIP providers often offer unlimited calls to and from your phone number, even if you’re calling overseas, which can save you a great deal of money every year. For those who call distant relatives often, VOIP is definitely the way to go.
The biggest disadvantage is that, if you lose your internet connection, your phone will not work. Also, if you have a slow connection or any interference, you can get an echo or dropped calls. VOIP phones need electricity as well, so if your power goes out, so will your phone.
VOIP service is not the most secure way to communicate, because they are sent over the internet, it is possible for someone with the right know how, to listen in on your calls. Another problem is with caller ID, VOIP phones will not show up on the call ID of people you call.
So VOIP might not be something you want to rely on completely, but teamed with something like a prepaid cell phone, it can definitely save you some money on your phone bill.
By: Joanne Greco
