What is VoIP?
First things first, VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol. At a base level that means phone calls over your broadband connection. You really do need a high-speed connection to take advantage of VoIP to get phone calls comparable to a normal landline phone. Traditional "dial-up" connections are not really sufficient.
VoIP works in a different way to your home phone. Your home phone is based on an analogue network, whereas VoIP is based on a digital one. Essentially when you speak into a VoIP enabled phone or headset your voice is converted into digital packets; it is then compressed to help your Internet connection run more efficiently and then it is transferred down the connection much like an email. Once it reaches its destination the process is reversed.
Why might I want to switch to VoIP?
It's a good question. We all have a working phone in our homes or business, why should we change? Lets look at the advantages and disadvantages of VoIP
Advantages
Well to put it simply - cost. VoIP makes calls significantly cheaper. And (Depending on your package) for a low cost monthly subscription local and national calls can be made for free, and international calls made at a significantly lower rate.
When you subscribe to a VoIP service it is possible to get a phone number for life. You will be able to take your number with you whenever you move (or even travel) with obvious benefits.
The contract packages that companies who are offering the service contain for the most part all the features and more that your current phone service supplier offers. You are likely to find most VoIP companies offering free voicemail, call forwarding, caller ID, call waiting, call waiting ID, 3 way calling, speed dialling and much more.
VoIP is very much in it's infancy; the technology is progressing all the time. Future benefits that we may not be able to envisage yet are certain to appear, you current analogue phone system will not be able to compete.
Disadvantages
Your VoIP phones system will be exclusively based on your broadband connection, if you ISP has a period of service downtime then you will not be able to make calls. Additionally if your electricity supply has a power out then you will not be able to make any calls, this includes calls to the emergency services. Some providers have already got a work around with the emergency calls, so make sure when you decide on a supplier they provide this.
A further disadvantage currently is the set up of the VoIP is not the simplest procedure to undertake, though many suppliers will assist with installation.
The quality of the call via VoIP can be slightly less than your current analogue phone, but the technology is steadily improving, and before long you will not be able to tell the difference in call quality between the two mediums.
? Mike Bromley 2005
The author runs a site about voip service providers at voip service providers
efficient cleaning crew Highland Park ..Looking for a natural voice speech engine? Curious about what... Read More
John Ashcroft, Attorney General, in remarks at the High Technology... Read More
Its not so long ago that the idea of free... Read More
Short T/F quiz1. T / F You can save a... Read More
I was on a tech support call with a client... Read More
VoIP consists of 2 major technologies....Making Calls Over the Internet--ResidentialThis... Read More
There's a revolution brewing in the telephone industry. But it's... Read More
As far as VoIP has come in Voice telephone calls,... Read More
A common thinking among "Marketing people " is that for... Read More
"As business people we manufacture shin pads, or we distribute... Read More
Over 90% of computer phones (VoIP) are not secure because... Read More
Since we're using computers all the time to do our... Read More
Dear Internet Friends, Hundreds of thousands of consumers collectively save... Read More
There is no doubt that you have heard about VoIP... Read More
Seattle venture capitalist, Greg Gottesman, calls it "?one of the... Read More
VoIP is the newest advancement in audio communications technology, and... Read More
When was the last time that you were able to... Read More
A long-standing question for potential VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)... Read More
VoIP on WiMax will make the latest 3G technologies obsolete... Read More
An astounding and unexpected number of people are dropping their... Read More
Wireless Computer HeadsetsTill recently, few options were available to people... Read More
Confused about VOIP? Join the crowd. It's not as difficult... Read More
For the uninitiated, the term broadband phone is loosely used... Read More
Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP, has grown in popularity... Read More
What is 'VoIP'?Simply put, VoIP refers to the carriage of... Read More
scheduled maid service Park Ridge ..There's a lot of hype these days surrounding Internet-based voice... Read More
For those who have never heard about the potential of... Read More
What is 'VoIP'?Simply put, VoIP refers to the carriage of... Read More
VoIP or Voice Over Internet Protocol has been simmering for... Read More
The following are very important factors to consider when you... Read More
Because with VOIP you can make calls from anywhere you... Read More
John Ashcroft, Attorney General, in remarks at the High Technology... Read More
A common thinking among "Marketing people " is that for... Read More
When it comes to VoIP Broadband Telephone service, there are... Read More
Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP, is a term used... Read More
Have you heard the buzz about VOIP (Voice Over Internt... Read More
Confused about VOIP? Join the crowd. It's not as difficult... Read More
Peer-to-Peer (P2P) systems do not operate on secure lines, thus... Read More
"As business people we manufacture shin pads, or we distribute... Read More
There is no doubt that you have heard about VoIP... Read More
VoIP service providers are now offering videophone at the lowest... Read More
When was the last time that you were able to... Read More
New businesses can now let their customers contact them for... Read More
You may not have considered it but there are many... Read More
Dear Internet Friends, Hundreds of thousands of consumers collectively save... Read More
VoIP allows users to make phone calls using their high-speed... Read More
Looking for a natural voice speech engine? Curious about what... Read More
This article contains the excellent information about the Voice Over... Read More
Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP, has grown in popularity... Read More
Seattle venture capitalist, Greg Gottesman, calls it "?one of the... Read More
VOIP |