We’re hearing a lot about Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) these days. I for one am a big fan of this technology. Did you know that you could actually use VoIP in 3 different ways? That’s right! There are really 3 different ways that you can ‘make the call’. Ok, you can actually receive the call 3 different ways as well.
First up is probably the most popular. I use this way myself and most of the residential providers out there today use this as well. What is it?
ATA – Analog Telephone Adapter
Your normal phone plugs into an ATA that you received from your VoIP provider. This is the most common way to get hooked into VoIP. This device takes care of all the magic that occurs when you make and receive your calls over your broadband connection. Your analog phone signal must be converted to digital to be routed through your broadband connection and this ATA does the job.
IP Phone – Internet Protocol Phones
As the name would imply, these are ‘special’ phones. You wouldn’t know it by looking at them. They look like normal phones. What is different about these phones is the electronics inside them and the fact they don’t take a ‘regular’ phone cable (RJ-11). Instead these phones take an Ethernet cable connection (RJ-45) and also come equipped with the necessary electronics to plug directly into your router.
Computer-to-Computer
This is the oldest and possibly the easiest way to get plugged into VoIP. Here instead of using your normal phone or IP phone to make calls through your broadband connection, you use your computer itself! (You could do this over dial-up, but broadband is certainly better) There are a number of services available that offer no cost or low cost service. You’ll need the software and a microphone to speak into and speakers to hear from and of course your computer and a high-speed internet connection. Some providers offer this service for free when their software is being used on both ends of the call.
Watch out for Wi-Fi (using IP phones) and other advancements in VoIP technology. We truly are on the verge of a major breakthrough in telecommunications. So, what are you waiting for? Make the call!
By: Michael Weaver
Posts Tagged ‘Internet Protocol Phones’
VoIP – 3 Ways to Make The Call
March 13th, 2010Make Your Conversations Better With Great VOIP Handsets and VOIP Technology
October 5th, 2009
In this modern age and world, we are gifted with a lot of technological advances that make life not only easier but practically more fun. Common daily tasks can be accomplished in a rush without sacrificing quality because of certain inventions. Ordinary activities become more exciting and fun using certain gadgets. Indeed, the world around has become so much better because of such steps into the future. One example of this kind of technology are VOIP telephones. If you want to know more about this kind of technology, how it can be of use to you, and how it can make ordinary conversations better, then read on.
Voice Over Internet Protocol
The big difference between the common telephone and a VOIP phone is the fact that VOIP uses internet lines to connect one person to another. This means that communication nowadays is no longer limited to those traditional phone lines on poles or underground. Using internet technology, people can now get connected using VOIP handsets that look much like the ordinary telephone – only cooler and better.
How to Use a VOIP Phone
You use such a phone the same way that you use your regular home telephone. If you prefer a wired phone, then it would be great news to say that you can have a long list of choices with wired VOIP handsets. On the other hand, you can also have lots of choices if you opt to use a cordless phone. It would also be important to note that there are now Voice over Internet Protocol phones which work much like the mobile or cellular phone – you can go mobile with it without having to pay the usual high fees.
The Advantages of Using VOIP
There are very many advantages of using this new kind of phone. We will focus on the coolest of benefits.
1. You get to call home and office telephones, mobile phones and even other VOIP phones.
Yes, with this kind of technology, you are not limited when it comes to the type of telephone that you can call. You can still connect to those who use land-based phone lines. You can call anyone with a cellular phone. And of course, you can call other people who use the same kind of technology.
2. You can use your VOIP phone to make local, long distance and international calls.
You can use your new phone to connect to anyone located in any place within the country as well as those abroad. And the best thing is that you do not have to pay for any kind of long distance or international call charges since you are using internet lines.
3. You get to have clear and undisrupted calls every time.
Long gone are the days when you have to settle for conversations that are choppy, unclear and often disconnected. Using VOIP handsets and services, you can now connect to anyone in the world on clear lines. You also do not have to deal with conversations that are cut, disrupted or delayed. All in all, VOIP technology makes all your conversations not only more economical but also a lot better.
By: Derrick Richardson
