Voice over Internet Protocol - VoIP is the technology that
allows you to make phone calls with the use of your home or
office computer network. VoIP runs over a linked data
network just as the Internet does. The voice signal from
your phone is converted by this VoIP technology into a
signal that is digitized to travel by Internet. It then is
converted back to telephone technology so that a regular
phone conversation is possible with any standard telephone
number. When you place a phone call by VoIP using your
standard phone with a VoIP adapter you hear a regular dial
tone and you dial just as if it were a regular call over
your telephone line. With VoIP you are sometimes able to
call right from your computer using a conventional
microphone or telephone.
There are two different approaches to the accomplishment of
a VoIP enabled phone call. An adapter installed and
connected directly to your Internet connection is one way.
If you do it this you, the phone carrier you use sends the
call to a VoIP provider. Then the phone call routs over the
Internet to the phone company at the other end - the one
used by the recipient of your call. Or, you can simply take
your favorite headset, costly or cheap - it doesn't matter -
and combine it with a microphone and plug right into your
computer. When you do it this way you type the phone number
on your keyboard and let the cable modem do the dialing for
you. All you need to set up VoIP is speed on the Web -
broadband, DSL or local area network. Without this you'll
need an adaptor to attach to your phone. You can also choose
to hook up a standard microphone into your PC or laptop.
Costs for VoIP services vary by provider. Some charge
nothing for their services if you're calling people who are
also their subscribers. Your provider of voice over Internet
Protocol might permit you to choose an area code that is not
your local home area code. What this will do is give you
free local calls to this area code, which saves on the long
distance charges. It can affect the price of calls that
people make to you, however, either negatively or
positively. If your VoIP offers this service you'd want to
choose an area code that is most active for your outgoing as
well as incoming calls. There are VoIP providers that
charge long distance fees just as the local carriers do -
for calls outside your local calling area. Others charge you
a flat rate to call anywhere for a predetermined maximum
number of minutes.
Who you can call with VoIP depends on which provider you
use. You might be only able to call those who have the same
provider or you might be able to make a call to anyone you
choose anywhere in any country. You can make a VoIP call to
a local landline, a cell phone, or a long distance domestic
or international call. VoIP even allows conference calls.
Whoever you are calling does not need VoIP, an adapter or
even a computer. They just need a phone like any other call.
VoIP is digital, unlike the standard landline, and so there
are services and features that you can't get with a
conventional telephone. If your Internet connection is
broadband then you can save yourself the expense of an
additional phone line for calls. VoIP is advantageous
because it can save you the cost of a landline and with the
right provider can save you long distance charges. Some
disadvantages of VoIP are that you may not be able to call
out during a power or cable outage, and you may not have a
direct 911 connection. You also may not have any directory
assistance or white page listing.
Is VoIP Vital?
VoIP, which stands for Voice over Internet Protocol, is the
latest technology for phone conversations, letting you call
from your high speed Web connection and your computer. The
VoIP is used to convert your voice signal so that it can
travel across your online connection and then convert back
to standard phone signal so you can talk to the person at
the other end. With VoIP you can have a telephone
conversation that mimics those you've had for decades. When
you use your phone to make the VoIP enabled call it sounds
just like it always did - dial tone as ever - and you call
just as you always did - dialing the number. You might also
be able, depending on your provider, to make that call right
from your computer with the use of some cheap mic or your
everyday ordinary phone.
There are two options for calling by VoIP. The first is to
install an adaptor to your broadband Internet connection.
This way the call would actually go through your local phone
carrier to a provider of VoIP. The call goes out over the
Internet to the local phone carrier of the person you are
calling to have the call completed. Another way you can use
VoIP is to plug a headset with microphone into your PC or
laptop and then dial from your keyboard and route it through
your cable modem. To get your VoIP telephone connection
active you'll need the use of a cable modem or other high-
speed connection such as local area network or DSL. You can
directly connect a telephone directly to the phone adaptor
or buy an inexpensive microphone and hook it up directly to
the computer.
There is no standard VoIP service price. Each provider has
its own charge. Some may even let you call other of its
providers for free. Your VoIP provider may also offer you an
area code of your own at no long distance charge. If you
choose an area code elsewhere than your local one those
calls, just as your home area calls, will be free of charges
for long distance. The only problem, of course, would be if
most of your callers are local. This could leave them with
long distance charges to call you. Just be careful which
area code you choose, with consideration for your consistent
callers.
Who you can call with VoIP depends on which provider you
use. You might be only able to call those who have the same
provider or you might be able to make a call to anyone you
choose anywhere in any country. You can make a VoIP call to
a local landline, a cell phone, or a long distance domestic
or international call. VoIP even allows conference calls.
Whoever you are calling does not need VoIP, an adapter or
even a computer. They just need a phone like any other call.
Because of the digitization of VoIP it offers some things
that standard phones don't. If you have broadband for your
Web connection then you get to save the money that you have
been spending on your phone line and service. What's good
about VoIP is that it can save you phone service costs as
well as long distance fees. What's bad about it is that you
might not be able to make a call if the power goes out and
you might not be able to call 911. Directory assistance and
the standard residential and business white page listings
might not be offered either.
Newton Meckley is the owner and operator of Mico Voip Ltd which is an excellent
place to find voip links, resources and articles. For more information go to: http://www.micovoip.com/
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