What You Should Know About VoIP Phones
VoIP phones are the phones used with Voice over Internet Protocol technology. VoIP is the technology used to transmit audio as data or Packets over the Internet to either a computer user or to a landline telephone. VoIP is increasing in popularity, as it is highly valued for its great quality, low cost, and incredible features. VoIP is gaining respect, as a viable solution for business needs as well. VoIP will allow long distance calls for either free or for just pennies compared to traditional phone services.
There are many different ways to use VoIP. For some services you will need a computer, a high-speed Internet connection, an Instant Messaging program, speakers, a microphone, a phone adapter for converting standard telephones into VoIP phones, or a VoIP phone.
When using VoIP services, you can simply use a microphone and speakers to communicate with your caller. You need a High Speed Internet connection to allow for your calls to be in real time, and you will also need a soundboard and computer that is up to date with VoIP technology.
You can also use VoIP technology by using Instant Messaging services that have voice options enabled. These include Yahoo Messenger with Voice, ICQ, AOL Instant Messenger, MSN, and even Google has started their own VoIP messenger. To use these VoIP messengers you will need a microphone and speakers connected to your computer.
VoIP phone adapters are another means of communicating with VoIP. A VoIP phone adapter will connect between your standard telephones, and your Internet modem. Your phone adapter will come with installation and user instructions. Generally, you will need to power off your computer, then connect the adapter to your Internet modem and then plug your telephone into the adapter’s phone jack. Power everything back up and you should be good to use your phone. You will need to make sure that you have VoIP service previously installed.
You can also purchase a VoIP phone, specifically designed for use with your VoIP service. VoIP phones come in both corded and cordless forms. VoIP corded phones come with many features. You can purchase a desktop phone that includes speakerphone, Call Waiting, Hold, Speed Dial, Transfer, and programmable keys such as Menu, Dial, Volume, Transfer, Cancel, and Headset or Speaker mode.
You can also purchase a 2 line VoIP corded telephone. Some of the features that come with a phone like this include Three Way Conferencing, phone to phone, or phone to PC, or phone to gateway direct dial. These phones are perfect for small businesses or for use in the home office.
Another popular choice in VoIP phones is the cordless VoIP phone. These cordless VoIP phones are not the same as VoIP wireless or VoWi FI phones. VoIP phones are similar to cordless standard phones. They will work in your house, but not outside, apart from your basic VoIP service.
There is another option and that is called VoWiFi. VoWiFi stands for Voice over Wireless Fidelity. This is the use of VoIP over a wireless connection. A VoWiFi phone operates by using a wireless network’s access point. The advantages of using VoWiFi, is that you can easily pick up network signals or “hotspots” for free. However, VoWiFi will not work if it is out of a wireless range, and immediately you will be terminated from your call. If you have a wireless network that you are local to, you will find VoWiFi to be a great advantage and extremely cost effective.
Because of issues with network connectivity, there are Hybrid phones available. A hybrid is a cross between a cellular phone and VoWiFi. A Hybrid will place your call when you are in your cellular network range, and then, to prevent roaming charges, can pick up free VoWiFi by entering a hotspot. This is a great combination of two technologies and time will tell where the hybrid phone will evolve in the future.
One thing is certain; VoIP is an advancement in telecommunications that is here to stay. Whether you use your computer, and Internet Messaging program, a VoIP phone adapter, VoIP cordless or corded phones, VoWiFi or Hybrids the future points to VoIP as the telecommunication method of choice.
The Reasons You Should Use Voice Over IP
Voice over IP (VoIP) was created in order to provide access to voice communication all around the world. This solves the problem of talking to someone halfway around the world. Because it’s very expensive to make long-distance international calls, VoIP is good alternative to paying large phone bills. Many benefits accrue once you begin using VoIP.
First you save a lot of money. If you are not using VoIP then you must be using Packet-Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). PSTN requires you to pay for each minute that you are on the phone and international phone calls are more expensive than domestic calls. Because VoIP uses the Internet, the only price you pay is your monthly Internet bill. You will need a broadband Internet with a decent to high speed. It is best to get an Internet package with a fixed price amount so that you can use VoIP as much as you want without the cost changing. Compared to a PSTN line, VoIP can save you up to 90% on international calls.
Secondly, more than two people can speak at a time with VoIP. You can set up conference calls with a whole team of people and communicate with them in real-time. Because data packets are compressed during transmission, more data can be handled over the carrier and more calls can be handled on one line.
VoIP requires cheap user hardware and software. The only additional hardware required besides a computer and Internet connection is a sound card, speakers, and a microphone. You do not need a telephone set or underlying equipment. There are also many software packages that you can download from the Internet to use for this purpose such as Skype.
It is also equipped with several features that make you talking experience sophisticated and fun. You are better equipped for call management and you can make calls anywhere in the world to any location in the globe. There is also Caller ID, Contact Lists, and Voicemail. When you use VoIP you can do more than just talk to people anywhere in the world-you can also send them images, video, and text files. You can speak to someone while showing yourself to them on a web cam.
VoIP is a more efficient use of bandwidth. Because 50% of conversation is actually silence, VoIP fills the empty silent spaces by not giving bandwidth to a person when they are not talking. VoIP reduces redundancy in speech patterns and gives the bandwidth to other consumers who are talking. VoIP has a flexible underlying network which makes is possible for organizations to make use of other technologies like ATM and Ethernet. It can also be used over wireless networks like Wi-Fi. VoIP systems are becoming more standardized and require less equipment so it is more fault tolerant. It can support many types of communication.
If you are using VoIP for an organization, you can still access your office or home from VoIP. Your home can be converted into a segment of the office where you can remotely use voice and fax services of VoIP. VoIP is virtually portable which is a very popular trend as of lately.
Roberto Sedycias works as an IT consultant for http://www.polomercantil.com.br
Categories: VOIP Articles Tags: over, Reasons, Should, voice