IP Telephones - What is VoIP?

What is VoIP?
VoIP allows you to make telephone calls over the Internet or your office LAN. VoIP is an abbreviation for "Voice Over Internet Protocol". VoIP converts the voice signal from your telephone into a digital signal that travels over the network, and then converts the signal back at the other end so you can speak to anyone with a regular phone number. Using a VoIP phone, you can call anyone, anywhere in the world, just as you would with a traditional telephone. VoIP phones are also operated exactly the same way, so there is nothing new to learn in order to use a VoIP phone. When placing a VoIP call using a phone with an adapter, you'll hear a dial tone and dial just as you always have. VoIP may also allow you to make a call directly from a computer using a conventional telephone or a microphone.

How Can I Place a VoIP Call?
Depending on the service you subscribe to, one way to place a VoIP call is to pick up your phone and dial the number, using an adaptor that connects your phone to your existing high-speed Internet connection, for example, DSL or Cable Internet. The phone call goes over the Internet to the called party's local telephone company for the completion of the call. Another way to place a VoIP call is to utilize a microphone headset plugged into your computer. The number is placed using the keyboard and is routed through your cable modem or DSL broadband router.

What Kind of Equipment Do I Need?
A broadband (high speed Internet) connection is required. This can be through a cable modem, or high speed services such as DSL or a local area network. You can hook up an inexpensive microphone to your computer and send your voice through a cable modem or connect a phone directly to a telephone adaptor.

Is there a difference between making a Local Call and a Long Distance Call?
Some VoIP providers offer their services for free, normally only for calls to other subscribers to the service. Your VoIP provider may permit you to select an area code different from the area in which you live. This means you may not incur long distance charges if you call a number in your area code regardless of geography. It also means that people who call you may incur long distance charges depending on their area code and service.

Some VoIP providers charge for a long distance call to a number outside your calling area, similar to existing, traditional wireline telephone service. Other VoIP providers permit you to call anywhere at a flat rate for a fixed number of minutes.

If I have VoIP service, who can I call?
Depending upon your service, you might be limited only to other subscribers to the service, or you may be able to call any phone number, anywhere in the world. The call can be made to a local number, a mobile phone, to a long distance number, or an international number.
You may even utilize the service to speak with more than one person at a time. The person you are calling does not need any special equipment, just a phone.

What Are Some Advantages of Internet Voice?
Because VoIP is digital, it may offer features and services that are not available with a traditional phone. If you have a broadband internet connection, you need not maintain and pay the additional cost for a line just to make telephone calls.

With many VoIP plans you can talk for as long as you want with any person in the world (the requirement is that the other person has an Internet connection). You can also talk with many people at the same time without any additional cost.

Can I use my computer while I talk on the phone?
Yes. Use of a VoIP telephone does not interfere with your computer use. It will consume some of your Internet bandwidth, but it is not typically noticable.

Can I take my phone adapter with me when I travel?
You may be able to use your VoIP service wherever you travel as long as you have a high speed Internet connection available. In that case it would work the same as from your home or business.

Does my computer have to be turned on?
While you can use your computer with a VoIP telephone to take advantage of advanced calling features, you do not need your computer in order to use your VoIP phone. If you are making calls with a phone and adaptor or special VoIP phone, but your broadband Internet connection needs to be active. You can also use your computer while talking on the phone.

How will I know if I have an incoming VoIP phone Call?
It will ring like any other call.

What Are Some disadvantages of Internet Voice?
If you're considering replacing your traditional telephone service with VoIP, there are some possible disadvantages that you should be aware of:

• Not all VoIP services connect directly to emergency services through 9-1-1
• Some VoIP services don't work during power outages and the service provider may not offer backup power
• VoIP providers may or may not offer directory assistance/white page listings