| If you have never heard of the term "VoIP", | | | | router, eliminating the need for a computer |
| don't worry. You are not alone. Many people | | | | or additional software. The last way to use |
| are unfamiliar with the changing technology | | | | VoIP is computer to computer. This requires |
| that comes to us in the form of | | | | no VoIP service provider and the software |
| Internet-related products. VoIP is one such | | | | required can be downloaded for free from the |
| product. VoIP is an Internet phone service | | | | Internet. The only cost involved is the |
| that can save people a lot of money. Let's | | | | monthly Internet fee. |
| give you a short course in what VoIP is and | | | | |
| how it can be beneficial to you. | | | | Unlike the traditional landline phone, VoIP |
| | | | doesn't use PSTN (Public Switched Telephone |
| So what is VoIP? VoIP stands for Voice Over | | | | Network). With PSTN, the caller and receiver |
| Internet Protocol. It involves transmitting | | | | are always connected. VoIP uses packet |
| voice in digital form. The traditional phone | | | | switching, which requires the parties to be |
| system transmits voice over wires and fibers. | | | | connected only when a packet is being |
| Once you dial a number, through a series of | | | | transmitted. This allows the packets to |
| electronic switches, you reach the intended | | | | travel the most efficient path and does not |
| designation you called. The connection | | | | allow for a dedicated line. |
| between the two ends is a wire. The farther | | | | |
| away the person you called, the longer the | | | | Now that we have established the basics of |
| wire, the higher the cost. In contrast, VoIP | | | | VoIP, how does it become an attractive option |
| sends audio over an IP based network. The | | | | for you? There can be significant cost |
| data packets are broken down into pieces and | | | | savings using VoIP, since they offer lower |
| transmitted to the receiver, where the data | | | | cost local and long distance plans, as well |
| packets are reassembled back in order. Since | | | | as, bundling added features into the basic |
| the data connection is through the Internet, | | | | plans. It also allows portability and |
| there is one fixed cost for phone calls. | | | | flexibility since you can take your phone |
| | | | with you anywhere there is a broadband |
| One way of using VoIP is through an Analog | | | | Internet connection available, and you would |
| Telephone Adaptor (ATA). This adaptor would | | | | then use the phone as if you were home. |
| hook up to your phone, which is hooked up to | | | | |
| your computer and Internet. The adaptor turns | | | | VoIP is fast becoming a common word in our |
| the analog signal into a digital signal. It | | | | world today. Subscribers to this new |
| is easy to install, requiring just one | | | | technology are increasing. Many telephone |
| additional piece of equipment, the adaptor. | | | | companies today are even utilizing this |
| Another way of using VoIP is through an IP | | | | service. You may not have known what VoIP was |
| phone. The IP phone resembles a regular | | | | and may not be a subscriber, but you may very |
| phone. The difference is it has an Ethernet | | | | well have used it when you made your last |
| cable connector instead of a phone jack. The | | | | long distance phone call. |
| Ethernet cable would plug right into a | | | | |