What is VoIP?
What is VoIP?
Voice over Internet Protocol or VoIP is a term which simply means the delivery of voice information over IP-based networks or the Internet. It engages transmission of voice information in digital form, such as Voice, fax, SMS, and/or voice-messaging applications, in distinct packets rather than via the conventional circuit-committed protocols of the public switched telephone network. It allows you to make voice calls using a broadband Internet connection instead of a regular phone line. The main benefit of VoIP is the cost advantage because it lets you bypass the fees charged by ordinary telephone service.
The Internet Protocol or IP was initially intended for data networking. The accomplishment of IP in becoming a world norm for data networking has paved way to its adaption to voice networking.
Types of VoIP
What is VoIP? It’s your voice delivered over the internet.
Some of VoIP services can only allow you to call other people using the same service, but others may allow you to call anybody who has a telephone number – counting local, long distance, mobile, and international numbers. VoIP can allow you to create a call straight from a computer, a special VoIP phone, or a standard phone connected to a special adapter. If you are calling a person who has a standard analog phone, that person does not need any special tools to talk to you. Some VoIP services may let you speak with more than one person at a time.
Other terms often encountered and frequently used in the same way with VoIP are IP telephony, Internet telephony, voice over broadband (VoBB), broadband telephony, and broadband phone.
VoIP calls are typically put across the Internet. Many Internet connections are charged using a flat monthly fee arrangement. Using the Internet connection for both data traffic and voice calls can permit customers to get rid of one monthly payment. Also, VoIP plans do not charge a per-minute fee for long distance causing it to be well-liked mostly because of the cost advantages to consumers over conventional telephone networks.
In order for you to take advantage of VoIP service, you should have a broadband (high speed Internet) connection. This can be through a cable modem, or high speed services such as DSL or a local area network. A computer, adapter, or specialized phone may be necessary depending on the type of service.
Categories of VoIP Tools
There are three categories of VoIP tools that are usually used, namely IP Phones, Software VoIP, and Mobile and Integrated VoIP.
The IP Phones are the most recognized yet the least noticeable of the VoIP tools. The use of software VoIP is helpful if you are looking for ways to lower expenses especially with video conferencing applications.
Software VoIP can be broken down into three subcategories such as the Web Calling, Voice and Video Instant Messaging, and Web Conferencing.
Mobile and Integrated VoIP is just an additional example of the flexibility of VoIP. VoIP is available on many cellular phones and Internet devices. That is why even the users of portable devices that are not phones can still make calls or send SMS text messages over 3G or WiFi.
Getting VoIP Service
A good example of a residential VoIP service is VOIPO. There are many features built in and you can save money over traditional phone service. Click the banner below for details or explore other options with the links on this website.
