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 ‘Service Provider’
Ways to Use VoIP Technology
December 27th, 2009VoIP Phones – Is This Where Technology has Brought Us?
November 21st, 2009
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
