Just a few short years ago most of us could not have provided the name of one Voice over IP provider. Now, after much technological advancement and with the hard work of Internet developers, there are many IP-Telephony providers popping up all over the place. Voice over IP is the newest phone technology allowing users to call over the net, much in the same way that email is sent from one PC to another.
Cheap calls like we have never seen
Voice over IP is revolutionary because it has lowered the cost of long distance and international telephone calls to rates that we have never seen before. For example, if a IP-Telephony user in Italy has signed up with the same vendor as a family member in Mexico, they will be free to call each other at absolutely no cost without limitation. Suddenly there is no distance!
Now this does not matter if the two people are located in the same country.
There are many ways to make IP-Telephony calls
People tap into IP-Telephony in many different ways. Phone Calls can be made from a phone that has been connected to a router with an Internet connection. People can make phone calls through a pc that has a software installed or there are telephone cards available that vendors offer to allow users to use normal phones to access a Voice over IP phone line for lower calls.
There are many positives with VoIP
One of the reasons that vendors enjoy almost guaranteed success is that there are many advantages to Voice over IP phone service and not many negatives. People only have to hear about the great rates that are involved and the simplicity of getting connected to this technology and they are ready to convert their phone service to a vendor.
Do the research on Voice over IP
Some vendors will charge for some services and not for others and so if you are looking for the most economic deal, you will have to shop around a bit and do some comparing of rates.
If you have been hearing talk of VoIP vendors but are unsure what vendor to contact for service, try doing a little research on the Internet before committing to anything. The only variety that I have found between the various vendors are the rates that they charge.
By: Jim Francisto
Posts Tagged ‘Router’
VoIP is Here to Stay
March 4th, 2010How Does VoIP Work? Understanding The Basics
February 28th, 2010
How does VoIP work? Like many people, you may have already heard of VoIP. If you weren’t born in this decade, you may still wonder what it really is. What can VoIP do for you and how exactly is it useful?
Basic Concept
VoIP stands for voice over internet protocol. These days, it is considered an alternative to the typical method of communication involving telephones. Instead of using telephone sets that transmit analog signals, VoIP converts these signals to digital chunks. These are reconverted to audio data when it reaches the recipient. The entire transmission happens over the internet. Although VoIP technology is still far from being preferred and considered standard, some people think that VoIP will eventually replace telephones. It could very well be the next step in communications technology.
The Specifics
So how does VoIP work exactly? VoIP is best understood by understanding typical phone calls first. Regular phone calls make use of what is called circuit switching. When you make a call, your call is passed through a series of switches starting from your phone carrier. Once the other party answers the call, the circuit between the two of you is opened.
Instead of circuit switching VoIP uses packet switching. In this technology, your voice is converted to little packets of data. These packets of data come with their instructions of where they should be sent. They are then sent through a variety of possible routes. They take the nearest router and are passed on to succeeding routers until they reach the recipient. When the packets are received, they are reassembled into a form that can be understood.
Advantages of VoIP
VoIP can offer all the features and benefits of a phone service. Its advantage over traditional phones is that VoIP calls can be made from almost any part of the world. Wherever there is an internet connection, you can have VoIP. The technology can provide cheaper calls than standard telephone technology. This is mainly because VoIP does away with costly circuit switching.
Disadvantages of VoIP
VoIP can be fast, convenient and cheap. It has, however its own disadvantages. These disadvantages are basically due to: (1) the current reliance of present systems on telephone technology; and (2) the shortcomings that plague computer technology.
Telephone Connections – Such services for example as security and cable still rely on telephone connections. Unless the whole country or world agrees to switch to VoIP, these services are likely to stick to their old methods.
This is not the biggest concern though. Since VoIP relies on internet technology, it is also susceptible to the problems that confront the internet and computers. You can therefore expect such problems as viral attacks, crashes and stolen packets.
Now you know the basic answer to how does VoIP work. In reality, this piece of technology does hold a lot of potential. Like everything else, the old ways of communicating over long distances can change. VoIP is the first logical shift that can be taken. It may take a long time however, before VoIP can become a fully integrated and snag free system.
By: Torrie Cantor
VoIP Requirements List – Why VoIP?
February 8th, 2010
VoIP technology will transform your life. It will enable maximum connection with your friends and family members. And it is not difficult to use. There are a few disadvantages to this technology as with all technology. You cannot get something in this life that has only advantages and no disadvantages. I guess this doesn’t require mention, but don’t expect perfection from VoIP. However if you compare with other communicating services, I am sure you can easily say which is better. One misconception is that the quality of calls made by VoIP will not be as good as that made by traditional phones. This is not true at all, as it can be proved that VoIP has very good reliability. It is just as good as traditional phones. In fact, it is better.
It is very important that you first educate yourself about how the VoIP technology works before you start using it. This will give you a very good idea of how reliable it is going to be.
VoIP stands for Voice over internet Protocol. VoIP utilizes the internet to connect with other people. However, the end result is the same and you will not be able to tell the difference between VoIP and traditional phone.
There are certain requirements that have to be done before you can utilize the VoIP service. The first and a very important one is broadband internet access. This is important because it will give you a speedy access to the medium that you are going to use to connect with your friends and family members.
The second requirement is a standard phone with a special VoIP adapter that will convert your phone to VoIP phone. Alternatively, you may want to buy a specialized VoIP phone that does not require any additional adapter.
The third requirement is a router, if you don’t already have one with you broadband connection. You can manage without a router if you connect directly with the LAN.
One advantage of VoIP, and it is a very big advantage, is that VoIP is very cheap. Another advantage is that VoIP service providers usually offer free calls between subscribers regardless of their location.
If you want to save money, go for VoIP. If you want to get in touch with your friends and family members, go for VoIP. If you want to stay connected, go for VoIP.
To get powerful tips on setting up and using VoIP visit e-know.co.cc, a popular website about VoIP
By: Kamran Chy
