VOIP Information

Introduction to VoIP


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 http://www.speakonline.co.uk


MORE RESOURCES:

Hosted PBX Provider Helps Trellis Deliver Optimal VoIP Services
TMC Net
To make switching to VoIP from a traditional phone service a no-brainer, the company has also partnered with New Jersey-based telecommunications technology ...

and more »


Cisco launch major new product to ease VoIP traffic
Telappliant VoIP News
Cisco has launched a new carrier routing system which will help to speed the distribution of VoIP traffic across the internet. The CRS-3 (Carrier Routing ...

and more »


VoIP service providers complete flexibility
TMC Net
With the arrival of VoIP(Voice over Internet Protocol) technology, calling process has become really cheap. Need for global communication is witnessing a ...
Best VoIP providers for hassle free communicationTMCnet

all 2 news articles »


VoIP Provider Skype Looking to UAE as TRA Mulls Lifting Ban
TMCnet
The UAE's telecommunications regulator generally prohibits the use of VoIP in order to protect revenue from international calls for the country's two major ...
Skype CEO: UAE Ban 'Short-Sighted'Wall Street Journal

all 8 news articles »


Allworx VoIP White Paper
Business Solutions Magazine
The Allworx family of IP based telephone systems and VoIP phones are designed to meet the communications and networking needs of typical small businesses, ...

and more »


ASC to Showcase New Version of VoIP Call Recording Solution
TMC Net
EVOip 10.0 is ASC's newest version of its VoIP call recording software. Company officials said that it offers the “strictest adherence” to security ...



Argela Taps GIPS for High-Quality Mobile VoIP
TMC Net
We depend on GIPS VoiceEngine Mobile to support the TT WiRO service because it's the leader in providing the best quality VoIP while simultaneously ...



Operators embrace Skype, but on own terms
ConnectedPlanet (blog)
Mobile VoIP is suddenly a lot more palatable to wireless operators when they are the ones setting the rules. ...
Is Skype Mobile the Exception or the Rule?TMC Net (blog)

all 2 news articles »


Metaswitch grabs service broker vendor AppTrigger
FierceVoIP
Metaswitch, the VoIP technology company, is acquiring AppTrigger--a Texas based service broker vendor. The company specializes in a type of media gateway ...
Metaswitch buys AppTrigger service brokerRethink Wireless
Metaswitch Acquires Service Broker Technology Provider AppTriggerTMC Net
Metaswitch: Agreement to Acquire AppTrigger in PlaceTMC Net

all 10 news articles »


China Equipment Maker Said to Research VoIP 3G Data Card
Trading Markets (press release)
If true, it means that domestic telecom carriers, which consider VoIP as a possible threat to their own voice services, cannot block technology evolution ...

and more »

Google News

home | site map | Voip Friends | Resource Directory
© 2006