Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP, uses your broadband internet connection to place phone calls. By converting your voice (or analog) signal into a digital signal, this makes for a more efficient way to talk on the phone and can save you money.
There are three ways you can use VoIP. You can either connect using your regular phone and an adapter, a special internet phone, or download software and use your computer. Here are the methods, in greater detail:
Using your home phone. If you would like to switch from your regular phone line to VoIP, many people opt to continue using their home phone. To do this, you must use an analog telephone adapter, or ATA. This device converts the analog signal (your voice) to a digital signal. Once the signal is converted, it goes through the internet connection. When shopping for a service provider, ask them if they include this adapter with their packages. Most do.
Connect using an IP phone. When using a special IP phone, you don’t need a separate ATA. Everything you need to use your broadband internet connection as your telephone service is included with the hardware. Instead of using a regular phone jack and connector, it uses an Ethernet connection to plug into your router.
Connect using your computer. If your computer has speakers, microphone, a sound card, and a high speed internet connection you can use your computer for VoIP. Companies offer free or low cost software downloads which allows you to use your computer to make phone calls. Using this method is either free, costing only the price of your internet connection, or nearly free. Earthlink’s Vling software is both free to download and free to use. The only hitch is that you can only talk with other Vling users.
By: Michael Bell
Posts Tagged ‘Phone Calls’
Ways to Use VoIP Technology
December 27th, 2009VoIP – Simply a Superb Technology
November 21st, 2009
Revolutionising the system of voice communication, VoIP has emerged as a smooth and cheap way of telephony now. It is a technology that allows you to make international calls at a much lower rate in comparison to the other traditional means of communication. In order to avail the benefits of this technology, all you need to have is a PC, an Internet connection and a few other minor accessories.
Apart from making calls at a lower rate, you can do a number of other things with VoIP. It will facilitate you to build an in-house phone network for your office. You can even create a world-wide network with your distant business partners. This technology can further be used to stay connected with others while on the move. It will necessitate proper equipment like a mobile satellite Internet connection.
Another great thing about VoIP technology is that you can make and receive phone calls through it, without disturbing your normal Internet browsing. Most of the networks that use this technology ensure that all incoming phone calls come automatically to your phone through the computer which you are using, no matter where you are. This means you will not miss personal calls at work and you will not miss business calls at home.
Like any other technology, VoIP also has its share of disadvantages. It can cause you a headache if you do not have a good set up. Another disadvantage that many users report is that they experience “echo” when making and receiving calls. However, experts say much of this problem depends upon the user.
Another potential disadvantage is that there can be a slight lag at the beginning of the conversation. The last problem that VoIP users may face is that it operates through the Internet. This means that if you get out of Internet service for power-cut or any other reason, you will not have phone access until the service is restored. Minus all these minor issues, VoIP can be a superb means of communication.
By: Dennis Jaylon
VOIP 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
