VoIP, Voice over Internet Protocol is the future for phone service. While virtual an unknown technology a few years ago, VoIP is becoming common place. With new technology appearing here is a VoIP tutorial on the different types of VoIP.
There are several different setups for VoIP. The basic setup is a free service, normally. It is computer to computer. This is where you use your computer to call another computer and you talk with a headset and microphone connected. Think Skype, MSN and Yahoo.
These services have been around for years, but have improved greatly in their technology of computer to computer VoIP. As long as the person you wish to speak to has the same software and a high speed internet connection, you can speak with them. Next door or around the globe the call can go from your computer to someone else’s.
IP Phones are the next step. These phones have the ability to plug into the router that you use. They look like a traditional phone. They have software built in and are able to use the technology of VoIP to send and receive phone calls. Another up and comer in this category are WiFi phones. They use the technology of wireless to provide phone service. There is usually an installation fee and a monthly service charge.
ATA is the standard. ATA stands for analog telephone adaptor. When you sign up for this service you are sent a special router. This router enables you to plug in a traditional phone. The router is able to route your phone calls using the internet service you have.
There is usually a setup fee and a monthly service fee. You get many of the same service you get on traditional phones, such as caller ID and call waiting. Plans often include unlimited calls and cheaper international rates.
Whichever method you choose, ensure you read the fine print. Many of the subscription service have a contract of one or two years. If you find that it is not the service for you, you will have to pay a disconnection fee.
VoIP is the technology for the home phones of the future. Many traditional companies are starting to use high speed internet to route their calls, as it is more efficient and less costly than phone lines. Finding a provider and plan will become more competitive and technology improves.
By: Benjamin Wise
Posts Tagged ‘Ip Phones’
VoIP Tutorial – Understanding How VoIP Can Work For You
January 10th, 2010VOIP Phones – An Affordable Broadband Communication Technology
December 4th, 2009
Cordless VOIP phones have become increasingly popular because they afford the caller a bargain-priced way to communicate. Unlike conventional international and long distance telephone calls where you pay quite high charges per second, the VOIP call will only cost you accordant with what you pay for your internet access. So if you have flat rate monthly internet billing, then you can make as many calls including interstate locations as much as you want without being billed for any further costs.
Cordless Skype telephones give the user extra leverage when it comes to communication due to the fact that the same high speed internet service that is used for voice signals may also be used for other data transfers such as web browsing. With Voice-Over-IP Phones, you are able to do away with numerous bundles of telephone wires and the resultant holes through ceilings.
There are primarily three means to connect a wireless VOIP phone. The most common method of connection is through the use of a regular VOIP phone – this could even be simply a run of the mill mobile telephone handset with VOIP capability – meaning it is able to transmit over the web in lieu of the normal telephone system. They also make VOIP phones via alteration of a normal telephone. In this instance you’ll need an adaptor so that the regular phone can be made to transmit digital audio signals via the net. A third type is the soft phone. In this example you’ll use your computer speaker and headset as the phone. The pc will also have a program that will enable you to transmit the resulting digital audio signals over the internet.
It is extremely critical to use a high speed ethernet connection for your VOIP Phone. A low speed web connection will cause your connections to break very often, resulting in inferior voice quality. If you are buying a usb VOIP Phone from a shop, ensure that you have access to fire and emergency services such as 911.
There are many things to think about if you are using a wifi skype telephone. You’ll need to consider the communications standards that the phone offers. You will also have to determine if your wireless and Web connections are able to support them. Again, you’ll have to look into whether it comes with features like conferencing so you are able to talk to more than 1 people at a time. It might be practical to get a wireless Voice-Over-IP Phone with a LCD or LED screen so you are able to place calls or otherwise make use of the phone in dimly lit areas. You’ll need to find out what standards employed by the Voice-Over-IP are directly supported by your computer. This is vitally critical if you are using an adaptor to make the telephone work. You’ll also need to figure out this specification if you plan to use a Voice-Over-IP Phone handset.
Wireless Skype phones provide a very cheap way to communicate with family. You’ll spend much less money to talk interstate or overseas.
By: Kyle Zoltowski
Business Calls Made Easy by VOIP Technology
November 28th, 2009
As high-speed Internet connections spread around the world widely, Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) technology changed how people think of long-distance phone calls. Many see VOIP as the revolutionary technology that will replace the conventional phone systems entirely. In United States, companies providing VOIP related services, such as Vonage and CallWave (More CallWave information at here), are expanding steadily. Major carriers like AT&T are already looking seriously at the potential implication of VOIP technology.
How VOIP technology works?
VOIP a technology where analog voice signal is turned into digital signal and transmitted over the Internet connections. This enables VOIP users to make Internet phone calls without going thru phone company services.
VOIP calls can be done via several methods: ATA, IP phones, or PC-to-PC. For ATA, an analog-to-digital converter is used on regular phone to enable VOIP calls; For IP phones, specifically designed phones are used for voice routing via its IP address; for PC-to-PC, a VOIP calls and a PC with Internet connection is what it needs. Basically each of these VOIP call method performs the same function: To enable voice communications. However, different call methods have totally different hardware set up and they are all meant to suits different level of users. Needless to say, the cost of these VOIP call methods varies a lot.
How VOIP technology can help in your business?
Great savings on your business call rates
With VOIP, you can simply enjoy a much cheaper phone calls by utilizing your existing PC set up and data networks. Most VOIP companies are offering minute-rate plans structured as little as $30 per month. With the elimination of unregulated charges and additional features given, switching from conventional phone services to VOIP can be quite a bargain.
Easy customer calls support
Often the telephone customer supports will consume a big part of a business budget. The high sets up cost for customer calls support can be reduce greatly using VOIP systems. With the availability of VoIP calls, business owners can utilize the “Click to Talk” web services set up a customer service application like call centres with enhanced features and low maintenance cost.
Flexibility
With VoIP services, business travelers or home workers can work as in the office. You can call freely from anywhere you have the Internet connectivity. Further more, you get another alternative with VoIP– the soft-phone. A softphone is a application software that loads VoIP functions into your computer. With soft-phone, you can make VoIP calls thru your laptop/desktop from anywhere that has the Internet access.
Further more, a VOIP system gives better flexibility in the set-up. By implementing VOIP technology, you can select any area code for your customer support phone number regardless on your location, you can allow multiple employees managing your customers calls without extra charges, you can own an instant web-based voice mail for business tracking purpose, and you can have integrated conferencing.
Wrapping things up
VOIP has been declared by greats like Forbes.com to be “the four letter word for growth.” It is widely acknowledged that technology can spur growth and businesses, even small ones that integrate new technologies, have a strategic and competitive edge over others.
However, even though VOIP systems sound like a savior for your business, you should never switch into their service blindly. The new technology might sounds great, but there are several drawbacks that you should consider them with care. The reliability of VOIP services (imagine long down time for your LAN system.), the power issue (VOIP functions fails whenever there’s no power supply.), and quality of the services are some of the major issues to consider before making the switch.
By: Teddy Low
