VoIP stands for ‘Voice Over Internet Protocol’, this technology allows users to make phone calls using your internet connection instead of your phone service. It is also known as Voice over IP, broadband phone service and Digital Voice, although it is given different names all of the technology is the same.
Here in this article we shall look briefly at the advantages of using this technology, some of the disadvantages and what equipment you need to use voice over internet protocol.
There are many benefits of using a VoIP phones over regular ones, with most providers of the service one low monthly fee covers all of your phone calls. Online you can easily compare the offers being presented by VoIP service providers and find what will suit you best. There are no unexplained taxes or regulatory fees, with your phone bill you will not come across any hidden charges. This is why the service is cheap as there are no tax charges with internet phone calls. Long distance and international calls are the biggest benefit of voice over internet protocol phones as using the internet to call means calling your friend in Australia or a friend from down the road makes no difference.
However there are a few disadvantages of using VoIP phones and that is there are a few service providers that do not offer emergency services calls. When choosing your provider then find out whether or not they offer this. This is not the biggest disadvantage of using this technology; the main issue with this service is that if you lose your broadband connection then you are unable to make calls. Yet in a day and age where most people use mobile phones this solves this problem immediately. It is also a good idea to have back up ways of communication should the internet go down.
To use voice over internet protocol phones the only additional piece of equipment that you need to purchase is an Analogue Telephone Adaptor (ATA) which is usually provided by the service supplier once you have signed up to the service. This then allows you to make phone calls as usual, using your own standard phone. The ATA technology adapts the analogue voice to a digital signal that the internet can understand; it then sends the signal to your broadband modem, which passes it over the internet. You can still browse on the internet whilst using voice over internet protocol phones. This technology is both an economical and efficient way of making phone calls, especially long distance.
Dominic Donaldson is an expert in phone technology.
Find out more about VoIP Phones and how the services available can help with purchasing and finding out about VoIP technology.
