VoIP or voice over protocol is one of the latest innovations in communications technology. The main difference it has with the old telephony system is that it uses data packets while the old telephony system uses switch boards.
In case you are not familiar with switchboards, imagine your call being routed to an operator before it reaches the person you are calling. That illustrates how a switchboard works. VoIP uses data packets that are sent and received via the internet. Hence, the basic equipment you will need to enable VoIP is a modem because this is the main device that allows you to get an internet access.
VoIP products come as trunk or hosted. If you are still wishing to use your old telephone device while utilizing VoIP at the same time, you will need to purchase a gateway from VoIP vendors. The gateway comes in a data packet that looks like a box. You would have to connect this to your conventional telephone or fax machine to enable VoIP. However, if you have an IP enabled system, there is no need to purchase the gateway.
There are four ways by which you can make the calls using the VoIP. These include internet-internet, phone-internet, internet-phone, phone-phone. If you are making a call towards a phone, it can be a regular, non-VoIP phone. Otherwise, the recipient of your call also needs to have a VoIP-enabled device. If you are making a call through a computer, you need to have a head set and a VoIP software program. If you are making an internet-internet call, the computer you are calling to must also have the same software as you have. Examples of this software are Skype, that of Yahoo, MSN, etc.
By: Elija James
Posts Tagged ‘Modem’
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The resourceful technology called VoIP has created a storm in the world of communication. More and more people all around the world are opting this technology at homes and at offices. There was a time when even a telephone was an awe inspiring concept. And now we, humans have grown and evolved to such a stage, where we can make international calls at the snap of a finger and enjoy a communication which is crystal clear and dirt cheap.
VoIP, as by now we all know, stands for Voice over Internet Protocol. And VoIP phones are telephones and cordless phones that are VoIP enabled. Today, markets all over the world, are brimming with VoIP phones and you can find all the well known brands like Philips, Siemens, Panasonic, etc. All these leading brands have different variety of VoIP phones, which are: Skype Phones, Wi-Fi phones, USB phones, Skype headset etc. Consumers choose as per their requirements and their usage.
VoIP, as said above, are used both at home and offices, with the help of an ATA box. The ATA box connects the phone and the computer to the modem, which connects to the internet. At home, one can plug in the main base of the telephone or cordless phone to the ATA box.
VoIP requires a high speed internet connection for which one needs cable or DSL. However, it would be best if you have broadband connection since the speed is pretty fast in such cases. There are many service providers who provide broadband internet connection. Although the technology with all the providers remains same, however, there is a big difference in the pricing and plans that each provider offers. You can choose your service provider as per your requirements.
After you get internet connection, all you have to do is just dial in the international or national number from your VoIP phone and get connected to any corner of the world.
By: Darlene Kaitlene
