Long distance phone calls will never be the same again thanks to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). The basic premise for this technology is to convert analog audio signals into digital data for transmission over the Internet, a technique which allows you to make your phone calls over the internet.
The way VoIP works is pretty straight forward. Whereas the traditional circuit switched technology reserves a dedicated path from a caller to the receiver for the entire duration of the conversation, VoIP converts the voices into data for transmission over data networks. At the receiving end, the data is once again converted back into audio.
The implication of this process is that a regular Internet connection is all one needs to make absolutely free phone calls. In using free VoIP software for Internet phone calls, the role of the telephone company and consequently its charges are completely eliminated.
This path breaking VoIP technology is poised to redefine the very method the world?s phone systems use. Major players in the VoIP world, like Vonage, are already making their presence felt having been on a steady growth for some time. Leading traditional carriers like AT&T are already in the process of incorporating this revolutionary new technology in markets across the US. Simultaneously, regulatory agencies including the FCC are taking a long hard look at VoIP to harness the technology into a more secure format.
Among the multiple advantages attributed to VoIP technology, include the use of the same lines for both data and voice transmissions. With one network, both installation and maintenance expenses are minimized. Compression technology makes it possible for multiple calls, as many as eight, on the same lines as opposed to the circuit-switch systems. Neither is there any compromise on sound clarity.
With VoIP it is also possible for various devices to be inter-linked, thereby enabling added incentives like PC-Telephony. Integrating the phone system to a customer database provides ideal support for customer relationship management or CRM.
Phone calls using VoIP are not subject to toll charges. When both sides have high-speed Internet access and VoIP phones, distance charges don?t apply no matter how long the call duration or distance may be. The possibilities in terms of businesses and consumers to save on costs are therefore staggering. What?s more VoIP can also be utilized in setting up an independent private interoffice networks for main to satellite office communications.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
What Is A WiFi Phone?
A WiFi phone is an internet or VoIP phone which looks and works very much like a regular cell phone. Like a cell phone, it sends and receives voice signals by radio waves, has a printed circuit board to connect its various components, needs a battery for working and, like a cell phone, you can carry it around with you.
The difference between a cell phone and WiFi phone is that a cell phone is connected to the cellular network through signal towers while the WiFi phone uses the WiFi hotspot network to connect to the internet and then work as any other internet phone.
In this way a WiFi phone is just like any other internet phone, though they work differently.
How A WiFi Phone Differs From Other Internet Phones
Both WiFi and other internet or broadband phones use internet for making VoIP calls, the difference lies in how they connect with the internet.
When you make VoIP calls by your internet phones using a handset or a headphone and speakers, your phone or computer are physically connected to the internet line through your modem and routers.
But a WiFi phone is not physically connected to internet. It accesses the internet wirelessly by what is called WiFi (Wireless Fidelity) network hotspots. So you can use your WiFi phone while you are walking around in your office or riding your car.
How A WiFi Phone Works
A WiFi phone has an internal device NIC (Network Interface Card) to detect radio waves in the surrounding area. When you try to call somebody on your WiFi phone, the NIC tries to seek radio waves from a nearby hotspot. If a strong signal is found, your WiFi phone asks permission to be allowed to login to the internet and then the call goes through like any other VoIP call.
If you are using your WiFi while driving, you would do well to park your car while making the call. Because the range of a hotspot is limited. So if you move out of the hotspot coverage area, your WiFi phone will stop working until it enters the coverage area of another hotspot on the way. This would also mean that you will miss any phones that may come to your WiFi phone. One way to get around this problem is to use the dual mode phones (box) which switch to the cellular network when they are out of the hotspot range.
Read Wifi Review & News
Future Outlook
WiFi phones have a great potential because they allow you to make cheap or free calls while you are on the move. This is why they have become highly popular in the short time they have been on the market.
What keeps WiFi phones from being accepted as a reliable means of communication at all times is the absence of a country-wide hotspot network like the cellular network.
However, a step in this direction is that many cities are developing city-wide WiFi networks and increasing number of cafes, airports and public places are providing the free or cheap hotspot facility.
Another development that should help WiFi phones gain wider acceptance is the recent introduction of Dual-Mode Phones. With these phones you are assured of on-going connectivity while enjoying the benefits of WiFi phones when you are in the hotspot coverage area.
The difference between a cell phone and WiFi phone is that a cell phone is connected to the cellular network through signal towers while the WiFi phone uses the WiFi hotspot network to connect to the internet and then work as any other internet phone.
In this way a WiFi phone is just like any other internet phone, though they work differently.
How A WiFi Phone Differs From Other Internet Phones
Both WiFi and other internet or broadband phones use internet for making VoIP calls, the difference lies in how they connect with the internet.
When you make VoIP calls by your internet phones using a handset or a headphone and speakers, your phone or computer are physically connected to the internet line through your modem and routers.
But a WiFi phone is not physically connected to internet. It accesses the internet wirelessly by what is called WiFi (Wireless Fidelity) network hotspots. So you can use your WiFi phone while you are walking around in your office or riding your car.
How A WiFi Phone Works
A WiFi phone has an internal device NIC (Network Interface Card) to detect radio waves in the surrounding area. When you try to call somebody on your WiFi phone, the NIC tries to seek radio waves from a nearby hotspot. If a strong signal is found, your WiFi phone asks permission to be allowed to login to the internet and then the call goes through like any other VoIP call.
If you are using your WiFi while driving, you would do well to park your car while making the call. Because the range of a hotspot is limited. So if you move out of the hotspot coverage area, your WiFi phone will stop working until it enters the coverage area of another hotspot on the way. This would also mean that you will miss any phones that may come to your WiFi phone. One way to get around this problem is to use the dual mode phones (box) which switch to the cellular network when they are out of the hotspot range.
Read Wifi Review & News
Future Outlook
WiFi phones have a great potential because they allow you to make cheap or free calls while you are on the move. This is why they have become highly popular in the short time they have been on the market.
What keeps WiFi phones from being accepted as a reliable means of communication at all times is the absence of a country-wide hotspot network like the cellular network.
However, a step in this direction is that many cities are developing city-wide WiFi networks and increasing number of cafes, airports and public places are providing the free or cheap hotspot facility.
Another development that should help WiFi phones gain wider acceptance is the recent introduction of Dual-Mode Phones. With these phones you are assured of on-going connectivity while enjoying the benefits of WiFi phones when you are in the hotspot coverage area.
VoIP Buyer's Guide
It's great that there are so many VoIP service provider options available to consumers. But like many things in life that offer an abundance of choices, it is good to be prepared when making your final choice. While there are a multitude of great VoIP services out there, they are not all created equal, each with their own pros and cons like any technology based service.
Our VoIP buyer's guide helps you to look for specific things when comparing VoIP service providers, so that you can pick the one that will best meet your needs. Our VoIP buyer's guide is essentially a checklist of differentiating factors we believe will help you to determine whether a particular VoIP service provider will offer a competitive service or not.
While not all of these factors will apply to your particular situation, most of them are definitely worth considering when choosing a VoIP service provider. While VoIP can be a reliable and cost effective communications solution, performing a thorough review of the service providers you are interested in could very well save you from potential headaches in the future.
Does the VoIP service provider offer a money back or satisfaction guarantee?
This is an important factor to consider when choosing a VoIP service provider. While VoIP can be a very reliable technology, it does require the right environment to work optimally. If your computer, internet connection or other factor does not work well with the service provider you have chosen, it is important that you have a recourse option that will allow you to get your money back. Additionally, not all VoIP providers offer the same level of service. If you have sound quality or reliability problems, you do not want to be stuck with such service. Keep in mind that money back guarantees often only cover the monthly service, and not any call minute expenses you have accumulated.
Does the company offer phone and email based sales and technical support?
It is important that the VoIP service provider offers both phone and email support. Providers offering only email support may not have the resources available to resolve your issue in a reasonable time frame. The more communication channels you can have with your provider in the event of difficulty the better. If they do not offer phone numbers even for sales calls, then you can be assured that their technical support will be even more limited in scope.
Does the VoIP service allow you to keep your existing phone number?
While there are many VoIP services out there that let you keep your existing phone number, there are also numerous providers that do not. Having to change your phone number can be a tedious exercise, so if you are wanting to keep your number, be absolutely sure when signing up that you can retain your phone number in the area that you live. Typically the large VoIP service providers offer existing number retention, while soft phones usually don't.
Does the service offer 911 or E911 emergency dialing service?
If the VoIP service you are looking for is to replace your traditional land line, it is highly recommended to ensure that the VoIP service provider offers 911 emergency dialing services. While many do offer this, some do not and it is important that you confirm this before purchasing. Many large VoIP providers offer E911 service, and most soft phone providers do not.
Is the service compatible with your existing hardware or does it require proprietary hardware?
Check to make sure that the hardware you have is compatible with the provider. If the provider requires proprietary hardware, you must be careful that you are not locked into using devices or phones that you do not like. The more flexibility the better, so that you can choose the type of phones you talk with. There is nothing more annoying than being stuck with a phone that does not offer the performance or features you want, and not being able to change it.
How many years has the service been in business, and how many customers do they have?
While it is true that no VoIP is still a maturing industry that has not been around, it does have established and up-start service providers. Make sure that the company at least been around for a year; has some news or publication coverage; attempt to determine how many customers the provider has; search for positive and negative reviews by both writers and in the user opinion forums. VoIP is still a demanding technology, and you don't want to live through an up-start's learning curve on how to handle it.
Do they offer any promotions or deals upon sign-up?
VoIP service providers are renown for offering incredible deals that are hard to pass up. So make sure you time when you sign-up to a service provider, so that you can take advantage of a promotion or deal. Many offer free months of service, complimentary phone adapters, free blocks of time and more.
Does the service provider offer unlimited calling to your frequent destinations?
Many VoIP service providers offer packages that give you unlimited calling to the USA, Canada and sometimes Puerto Rico and other countries. If you accumulate mammoth monthly phone bills from calling these locations, then an unlimited monthly plan can offer incredible savings. These unlimited plans are usually the service provider's top packages that cost more than the base plans, but also include most if not all of their calling features - further saving you money.
Are there setup and activation fees, and are there ongoing fees?
While it's always easy to see what the monthly service fee will cost, it isn't always as easy to see the less promoted setup fees, one time activation fees and ongoing fees. Check your end user agreement carefully for any indication of fees beyond what is being prominently advertised. While everyone is accustomed to incurring fees in their monthly mobile phone service, it is possible some VoIP service providers also charge fees.
Are the acceptable payment methods convenient for you?
Some VoIP providers work as you would typically expect, with monthly charges to your credit card or bank account, while other require pre-paid calling time to be purchased. Depending on your calling habits, carefully consider which would be more convenient for you. People accustomed to monthly billing that is automatically debited from their credit card will most likely not be impressed with having to manually refill their account with talk time minutes. Conversely, people that enjoy the freedom of pre-paid time would not like to be stuck with making sure sufficient funds are available for monthly withdraws on their credit card or bank account.
What does the appearance of the web site look like?
While being a VoIP service provider is quite involving and complicated, it is becoming more and more easy for mom and pop to open up their own basement VoIP service. While these services may handle a limited number of customers well, they may not scale well to demands and this is definitely something worth avoiding. Make sure the home page of the company is professional, clean in its presentation and has all the indicators of being a corporate home page by reading their About Us page and other pages to determine the scale of the operation.
Good luck on your VoIP service provider hunting, and we hope you find what you're looking for!
Our VoIP buyer's guide helps you to look for specific things when comparing VoIP service providers, so that you can pick the one that will best meet your needs. Our VoIP buyer's guide is essentially a checklist of differentiating factors we believe will help you to determine whether a particular VoIP service provider will offer a competitive service or not.
While not all of these factors will apply to your particular situation, most of them are definitely worth considering when choosing a VoIP service provider. While VoIP can be a reliable and cost effective communications solution, performing a thorough review of the service providers you are interested in could very well save you from potential headaches in the future.
Does the VoIP service provider offer a money back or satisfaction guarantee?
This is an important factor to consider when choosing a VoIP service provider. While VoIP can be a very reliable technology, it does require the right environment to work optimally. If your computer, internet connection or other factor does not work well with the service provider you have chosen, it is important that you have a recourse option that will allow you to get your money back. Additionally, not all VoIP providers offer the same level of service. If you have sound quality or reliability problems, you do not want to be stuck with such service. Keep in mind that money back guarantees often only cover the monthly service, and not any call minute expenses you have accumulated.
Does the company offer phone and email based sales and technical support?
It is important that the VoIP service provider offers both phone and email support. Providers offering only email support may not have the resources available to resolve your issue in a reasonable time frame. The more communication channels you can have with your provider in the event of difficulty the better. If they do not offer phone numbers even for sales calls, then you can be assured that their technical support will be even more limited in scope.
Does the VoIP service allow you to keep your existing phone number?
While there are many VoIP services out there that let you keep your existing phone number, there are also numerous providers that do not. Having to change your phone number can be a tedious exercise, so if you are wanting to keep your number, be absolutely sure when signing up that you can retain your phone number in the area that you live. Typically the large VoIP service providers offer existing number retention, while soft phones usually don't.
Does the service offer 911 or E911 emergency dialing service?
If the VoIP service you are looking for is to replace your traditional land line, it is highly recommended to ensure that the VoIP service provider offers 911 emergency dialing services. While many do offer this, some do not and it is important that you confirm this before purchasing. Many large VoIP providers offer E911 service, and most soft phone providers do not.
Is the service compatible with your existing hardware or does it require proprietary hardware?
Check to make sure that the hardware you have is compatible with the provider. If the provider requires proprietary hardware, you must be careful that you are not locked into using devices or phones that you do not like. The more flexibility the better, so that you can choose the type of phones you talk with. There is nothing more annoying than being stuck with a phone that does not offer the performance or features you want, and not being able to change it.
How many years has the service been in business, and how many customers do they have?
While it is true that no VoIP is still a maturing industry that has not been around, it does have established and up-start service providers. Make sure that the company at least been around for a year; has some news or publication coverage; attempt to determine how many customers the provider has; search for positive and negative reviews by both writers and in the user opinion forums. VoIP is still a demanding technology, and you don't want to live through an up-start's learning curve on how to handle it.
Do they offer any promotions or deals upon sign-up?
VoIP service providers are renown for offering incredible deals that are hard to pass up. So make sure you time when you sign-up to a service provider, so that you can take advantage of a promotion or deal. Many offer free months of service, complimentary phone adapters, free blocks of time and more.
Does the service provider offer unlimited calling to your frequent destinations?
Many VoIP service providers offer packages that give you unlimited calling to the USA, Canada and sometimes Puerto Rico and other countries. If you accumulate mammoth monthly phone bills from calling these locations, then an unlimited monthly plan can offer incredible savings. These unlimited plans are usually the service provider's top packages that cost more than the base plans, but also include most if not all of their calling features - further saving you money.
Are there setup and activation fees, and are there ongoing fees?
While it's always easy to see what the monthly service fee will cost, it isn't always as easy to see the less promoted setup fees, one time activation fees and ongoing fees. Check your end user agreement carefully for any indication of fees beyond what is being prominently advertised. While everyone is accustomed to incurring fees in their monthly mobile phone service, it is possible some VoIP service providers also charge fees.
Are the acceptable payment methods convenient for you?
Some VoIP providers work as you would typically expect, with monthly charges to your credit card or bank account, while other require pre-paid calling time to be purchased. Depending on your calling habits, carefully consider which would be more convenient for you. People accustomed to monthly billing that is automatically debited from their credit card will most likely not be impressed with having to manually refill their account with talk time minutes. Conversely, people that enjoy the freedom of pre-paid time would not like to be stuck with making sure sufficient funds are available for monthly withdraws on their credit card or bank account.
What does the appearance of the web site look like?
While being a VoIP service provider is quite involving and complicated, it is becoming more and more easy for mom and pop to open up their own basement VoIP service. While these services may handle a limited number of customers well, they may not scale well to demands and this is definitely something worth avoiding. Make sure the home page of the company is professional, clean in its presentation and has all the indicators of being a corporate home page by reading their About Us page and other pages to determine the scale of the operation.
Good luck on your VoIP service provider hunting, and we hope you find what you're looking for!
VoIP Features
VoIP is well known for offering an incredible array of features with their monthly service. Many of those popular and useful calling features you pay for with the regular phone companies, are often free as part of monthly VoIP service plans. This list of VoIP features helps you to determine if VoIP service provider you're interest in offer the features best suited to you?
3-Way Calling
Hold conference calls by initiating a connection with a third person when engaged in a call with another party. This allows three people talk talk simultaneously.
911 Emergency Dialing
Allows calling to your local emergency handling dispatch center. Some VoIP service providers also offer E911 which enhances the amount of information transferred to the emergency service when a call is placed to 911 such as name, address and phone number details.
Area Code Selection
The ability to choose what area code you want your VoIP based service phone number to have. For example if you live in the 206 area code but wish to have a 453 area code, this feature increases your chances of being able to obtain a number within that area code.
Call Forwarding
Lets you redirect incoming calls to your VoIP number to another number of your choice either all the time, or only when your phone does not answer or is engaged.
Call Hunt
When subscribed to a VoIP service provider and have multiple phone lines, when one line does not answer a call or is engaged in a call, the call can be automatically routed to the other lines.
Caller ID
Displays the phone number of the person calling you on the screen of the VoIP phone, allowing you to choose whether you wish to answer the call or not.
Caller ID Block
When placing a call, you can choose to block the other party from seeing your details on their caller ID display. This is ideally used to assist in protecting your privacy when placing calls.
Caller ID with Name
Displays the name and phone number of the person calling you on the screen of their VoIP phone, allowing you to choose whether you wish to answer the call or not.
Call Return
When a call is made to your phone that is either picked up or not, you can use the call return feature to obtain the phone number of that calling party.
Call Transfer
Once a call is answered, you can have that call transferred to another phone number of your choosing.
Call Waiting
When engaged in a phone call and another party attempts to call, you are notified by either a visual or audible alert that another party is attempting to contact you, with the ability to switch between that part and the original party.
Directory Assistance
This service when dialed offers the assistance of an operator or automated system to find a residential, business or government phone number at either free of charge or nominal fee.
Do Not Disturb
Is a mode that automatically directs all incoming calls to your voicemail, thus preventing the user from being disturbed by the phone ringing.
In-Network Calls
In-network calls usually refers to a subscribers ability to call any other party that uses the same VoIP service provider, free of charge as part of their monthly service plan.
Redial
Ability to easily dial a number you previously dialed, often from a queue of previously dialed numbers, often with the convenience of single button.
Voicemail
The ability for callers to your phone number to leave a message in the event it is busy or is not picked up.
Voicemail Enhanced or Voicemail Plus
Callers are able to leave a message when your phone line is either busy or not answered. Typically enhanced versions of voicemail services offer longer message recording times, customizable greeting messages, longer message retention times and more call back related features then standard voicemail services.
* Not all service providers will offer all of these services. The names and descriptions of these services may differ between service providers, please check your service provider to determine what exactly is offered.
3-Way Calling
Hold conference calls by initiating a connection with a third person when engaged in a call with another party. This allows three people talk talk simultaneously.
911 Emergency Dialing
Allows calling to your local emergency handling dispatch center. Some VoIP service providers also offer E911 which enhances the amount of information transferred to the emergency service when a call is placed to 911 such as name, address and phone number details.
Area Code Selection
The ability to choose what area code you want your VoIP based service phone number to have. For example if you live in the 206 area code but wish to have a 453 area code, this feature increases your chances of being able to obtain a number within that area code.
Call Forwarding
Lets you redirect incoming calls to your VoIP number to another number of your choice either all the time, or only when your phone does not answer or is engaged.
Call Hunt
When subscribed to a VoIP service provider and have multiple phone lines, when one line does not answer a call or is engaged in a call, the call can be automatically routed to the other lines.
Caller ID
Displays the phone number of the person calling you on the screen of the VoIP phone, allowing you to choose whether you wish to answer the call or not.
Caller ID Block
When placing a call, you can choose to block the other party from seeing your details on their caller ID display. This is ideally used to assist in protecting your privacy when placing calls.
Caller ID with Name
Displays the name and phone number of the person calling you on the screen of their VoIP phone, allowing you to choose whether you wish to answer the call or not.
Call Return
When a call is made to your phone that is either picked up or not, you can use the call return feature to obtain the phone number of that calling party.
Call Transfer
Once a call is answered, you can have that call transferred to another phone number of your choosing.
Call Waiting
When engaged in a phone call and another party attempts to call, you are notified by either a visual or audible alert that another party is attempting to contact you, with the ability to switch between that part and the original party.
Directory Assistance
This service when dialed offers the assistance of an operator or automated system to find a residential, business or government phone number at either free of charge or nominal fee.
Do Not Disturb
Is a mode that automatically directs all incoming calls to your voicemail, thus preventing the user from being disturbed by the phone ringing.
In-Network Calls
In-network calls usually refers to a subscribers ability to call any other party that uses the same VoIP service provider, free of charge as part of their monthly service plan.
Redial
Ability to easily dial a number you previously dialed, often from a queue of previously dialed numbers, often with the convenience of single button.
Voicemail
The ability for callers to your phone number to leave a message in the event it is busy or is not picked up.
Voicemail Enhanced or Voicemail Plus
Callers are able to leave a message when your phone line is either busy or not answered. Typically enhanced versions of voicemail services offer longer message recording times, customizable greeting messages, longer message retention times and more call back related features then standard voicemail services.
* Not all service providers will offer all of these services. The names and descriptions of these services may differ between service providers, please check your service provider to determine what exactly is offered.
VoIP Glossary
Just like most other technologies, VoIP has its own plethora of acronyms and technical terms to describe its various aspects. Our VoIP glossary contains all of the most commonly used and most important terms that you may encounter when reading or hearing about VoIP services or products. We have made our VoIP glossary as easy to understand as possible, and made sure you understand how each term relates to VoIP.
Backbone
Refers to the high capacity internet infrastructure that typically connects major service providers such as your web hosting provider or internet service provider. Internet service providers with a large backbone connection offer better potential for a reliable VoIP connection than one with a smaller backbone. For example: When your internet service provider says it has an "ultra fast backbone connection", it is referring to the fact that its main communications channel with the internet is very fast to facilitate a large volume of communications.
Bandwidth
The maximum amount of data that can be transferred by a connection. VoIP is related to this term because the more bandwidth your internet connection has, the more reliable your VoIP connect can potentially be. For example: Your internet service provider may claim to offer you a cable internet connection with up to 8MB bandwidth, which means the maximum amount of data you can send through that connection is 8MB.
Byte
This is the most base unit of data volume measurement, from which larger sums are built upon such as kilobytes, megabytes, gigabytes and so on. VoIP technology typically uses hundreds or thousands of bytes within seconds for a conversation to take place. For example: You may notice that your bandwidth consumption per second while using VoIP is 32Kbps (or 32,000 bytes per second).
Cable
This is a type of internet connection that is used almost exclusively in residential environments. Cable uses the data transmission capacity of commonly available television coax cable to provide broadband internet connectivity. Cable internet bandwidth is typically measured in MB. VoIP is commonly used over cable internet connections. For example: My cable internet access has been great for making VoIP calls to my family.
Compression
You compress data so that you can store or transmit more of it in a given confinement. Compression takes data and makes it smaller typically by performing an algorithm against it that better optimizes (lossless compression) how the information is stored or transmitted, or by strategically removing unnecessary data (lossy compression). VoIP relies heavily on compression, because the audio it transmits between the two callers would require far too much information to be sent without it first being compressed. For example: If you have a large music file on your computer, you can compress it into a smaller size for easier storage and transmission, sometimes only a fraction of the original size, while still retaining most if not all of the musical sound.
Congestion
Describes the amount of communications traffic within a network or segment of a network. When the number of computers communicating simultaneously approaches, reaches or exceeds the limits of that network's infrastructure, it is considered to be a congested network. VoIP can be adversely affected by network congestion as it can limit the network resources available to successfully send all of the data back and between between computers a VoIP connection needs. For example: My VoIP conversation sounded distorted because there was too much network congestion.
DSL
(Digital Subscriber Line) This is a type of internet connection commonly used in residential or small business environments. DSL uses the data transmission capacity of standard telephone lines to provide a broadband internet connection. The bandwidth of a DSL connection is often measured in MB. VoIP is commonly used over DSL internet connections. For example: Since I installed my 3MB DSL line, my VoIP calls have been so clear and reliable.
Firewall
Is hardware or software that attempts to protect a computer or network against malicious attacks. By acting as a wall between one network and another, it controls the flow of data and methods in which one network can connect to another to limit exposure. People that use VoIP commonly use firewalls to protect their computer against internet predators. For example: Since I have a cable internet connection, my computer is always connected to the internet so a firewall helps to make sure my computer is safe.
GB
(Gigabyte) This is a commonly used large unit of data volume measurement. A single gigabyte consists of approximately 1,024 megabytes of information. VoIP is not typically measures in gigabytes per conversation, but over a period of a month make equate to gigabytes of data depending on frequency and duration of calls. For example: Our many VoIP calls last month totaled 1.24 GB in bandwidth usage.
KB
(Kilobyte) This is a relatively small unit of data volume measurement. A single kilobyte is comprised of approximately 1,024 bytes of information. VoIP would require a lot of kilobytes in order to transmit a conversation successfully at length. For example: My VoIP conversation is transmitting data at approximately 32KB per second.
LAN
(Local Area Network) A local area network is a collection of computer interconnected within a small proximity. A typical example of a LAN would be a home with a computer in each bedroom, networked together to share resources such as printers, hard drive storage, etc. Many homes and offices that use VoIP are in fact LAN's as there are more than one computer networked together within that building or space. For example: Our LAN is comprised of 5 computers, a printer and a scanner.
MB
(Megabyte) This is a commonly used unit of data volume measurement. A single megabyte is comprised of approximately 1 million bytes of information. The amount of data a typical VoIP conversation transmits would be measured in MB. For example: My last VoIP conversation, which lasted for 1 and a half hours, used 5MB in bandwidth.
Router
A router is a device that routes packets of data between networks, using protocols to determine how to talk with other routers to effectively send and receive information. Computers that are configured for VoIP very often have a router somewhere in its network configuration to route data between the computer in the LAN and the internet. For example: When I set up my VoIP software I installed the router that was given to me by my internet service provider.
Soft Phone
A soft phone is a software program installed onto a computer that mimics the functionality of a standard phone. Instead of using a dedicated telephone device, the computer simulates the functionality of a phone by creating an on-screen dialing method, in combination with attached speakers and microphone. A number of popular VoIP services use soft phones either exclusively or as part of the product or service offerings. For example: I made VoIP call on my soft phone yesterday.
TB
(Terabyte) A terabyte is a large unit of data volume measurement. A single terabyte is comprised of approximately 1,024 gigabytes of information. A terabyte of data in relation to VoIP would describe how much data a service provider would need to send and receive in order to provide service to its customers. For example: During the month of August, the service provider transmitted several terabytes worth of VoIP communications between its customers.
VoIP
(Voice over Internet Protocol) Describes the ability to communicate by voice over the internet using a combination of technologies. For example: I had a conversation yesterday using a VoIP phone over my broadband internet connection.
VPN
(Virtual Private Network) A virtual private network is a way of creating a secured means of communicating on the public internet between computers by encrypting the data that is sent back and forth. For security reasons, some businesses may require their employees to use a VPN in order to make VoIP calls. For example: Establishing a VPN connection between the notebook in your hotel and the server at your office allows you to safely transmit confidential data.
Backbone
Refers to the high capacity internet infrastructure that typically connects major service providers such as your web hosting provider or internet service provider. Internet service providers with a large backbone connection offer better potential for a reliable VoIP connection than one with a smaller backbone. For example: When your internet service provider says it has an "ultra fast backbone connection", it is referring to the fact that its main communications channel with the internet is very fast to facilitate a large volume of communications.
Bandwidth
The maximum amount of data that can be transferred by a connection. VoIP is related to this term because the more bandwidth your internet connection has, the more reliable your VoIP connect can potentially be. For example: Your internet service provider may claim to offer you a cable internet connection with up to 8MB bandwidth, which means the maximum amount of data you can send through that connection is 8MB.
Byte
This is the most base unit of data volume measurement, from which larger sums are built upon such as kilobytes, megabytes, gigabytes and so on. VoIP technology typically uses hundreds or thousands of bytes within seconds for a conversation to take place. For example: You may notice that your bandwidth consumption per second while using VoIP is 32Kbps (or 32,000 bytes per second).
Cable
This is a type of internet connection that is used almost exclusively in residential environments. Cable uses the data transmission capacity of commonly available television coax cable to provide broadband internet connectivity. Cable internet bandwidth is typically measured in MB. VoIP is commonly used over cable internet connections. For example: My cable internet access has been great for making VoIP calls to my family.
Compression
You compress data so that you can store or transmit more of it in a given confinement. Compression takes data and makes it smaller typically by performing an algorithm against it that better optimizes (lossless compression) how the information is stored or transmitted, or by strategically removing unnecessary data (lossy compression). VoIP relies heavily on compression, because the audio it transmits between the two callers would require far too much information to be sent without it first being compressed. For example: If you have a large music file on your computer, you can compress it into a smaller size for easier storage and transmission, sometimes only a fraction of the original size, while still retaining most if not all of the musical sound.
Congestion
Describes the amount of communications traffic within a network or segment of a network. When the number of computers communicating simultaneously approaches, reaches or exceeds the limits of that network's infrastructure, it is considered to be a congested network. VoIP can be adversely affected by network congestion as it can limit the network resources available to successfully send all of the data back and between between computers a VoIP connection needs. For example: My VoIP conversation sounded distorted because there was too much network congestion.
DSL
(Digital Subscriber Line) This is a type of internet connection commonly used in residential or small business environments. DSL uses the data transmission capacity of standard telephone lines to provide a broadband internet connection. The bandwidth of a DSL connection is often measured in MB. VoIP is commonly used over DSL internet connections. For example: Since I installed my 3MB DSL line, my VoIP calls have been so clear and reliable.
Firewall
Is hardware or software that attempts to protect a computer or network against malicious attacks. By acting as a wall between one network and another, it controls the flow of data and methods in which one network can connect to another to limit exposure. People that use VoIP commonly use firewalls to protect their computer against internet predators. For example: Since I have a cable internet connection, my computer is always connected to the internet so a firewall helps to make sure my computer is safe.
GB
(Gigabyte) This is a commonly used large unit of data volume measurement. A single gigabyte consists of approximately 1,024 megabytes of information. VoIP is not typically measures in gigabytes per conversation, but over a period of a month make equate to gigabytes of data depending on frequency and duration of calls. For example: Our many VoIP calls last month totaled 1.24 GB in bandwidth usage.
KB
(Kilobyte) This is a relatively small unit of data volume measurement. A single kilobyte is comprised of approximately 1,024 bytes of information. VoIP would require a lot of kilobytes in order to transmit a conversation successfully at length. For example: My VoIP conversation is transmitting data at approximately 32KB per second.
LAN
(Local Area Network) A local area network is a collection of computer interconnected within a small proximity. A typical example of a LAN would be a home with a computer in each bedroom, networked together to share resources such as printers, hard drive storage, etc. Many homes and offices that use VoIP are in fact LAN's as there are more than one computer networked together within that building or space. For example: Our LAN is comprised of 5 computers, a printer and a scanner.
MB
(Megabyte) This is a commonly used unit of data volume measurement. A single megabyte is comprised of approximately 1 million bytes of information. The amount of data a typical VoIP conversation transmits would be measured in MB. For example: My last VoIP conversation, which lasted for 1 and a half hours, used 5MB in bandwidth.
Router
A router is a device that routes packets of data between networks, using protocols to determine how to talk with other routers to effectively send and receive information. Computers that are configured for VoIP very often have a router somewhere in its network configuration to route data between the computer in the LAN and the internet. For example: When I set up my VoIP software I installed the router that was given to me by my internet service provider.
Soft Phone
A soft phone is a software program installed onto a computer that mimics the functionality of a standard phone. Instead of using a dedicated telephone device, the computer simulates the functionality of a phone by creating an on-screen dialing method, in combination with attached speakers and microphone. A number of popular VoIP services use soft phones either exclusively or as part of the product or service offerings. For example: I made VoIP call on my soft phone yesterday.
TB
(Terabyte) A terabyte is a large unit of data volume measurement. A single terabyte is comprised of approximately 1,024 gigabytes of information. A terabyte of data in relation to VoIP would describe how much data a service provider would need to send and receive in order to provide service to its customers. For example: During the month of August, the service provider transmitted several terabytes worth of VoIP communications between its customers.
VoIP
(Voice over Internet Protocol) Describes the ability to communicate by voice over the internet using a combination of technologies. For example: I had a conversation yesterday using a VoIP phone over my broadband internet connection.
VPN
(Virtual Private Network) A virtual private network is a way of creating a secured means of communicating on the public internet between computers by encrypting the data that is sent back and forth. For security reasons, some businesses may require their employees to use a VPN in order to make VoIP calls. For example: Establishing a VPN connection between the notebook in your hotel and the server at your office allows you to safely transmit confidential data.
VoIP FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Many people are hearing about VoIP for the very first time. If you are unfamiliar with what VoIP means, you are not alone. Our VoIP FAQ answers all the most common questions people have about VoIP in easy to understand terms. If you have additional questions you would like to see in our VoIP FAQ, we welcome you to suggest them to us!
Q. What is VoIP?
A. VoIP is an acronym that stands for "Voice over Internet Protocol".
Regular telephone companies use dedicated phone lines and infrastructure to provide you with phone service; resulting in costly monthly service fees, long distance rates and features. With VoIP your phone calls are routed through your internet connection, thus eliminating the infrastructure overheads required to route calls. This results in significantly lower operating costs for VoIP service providers, which is in turn passed on to the consumer.
Q. What things do I need in order to use VoIP?
A. This depends on the VoIP service provider you choose. Some require as little as a program installed on your computer a set of speakers and a microphone. While others require you to use a router or VoIP modem device (typically given to you by the company for free or at a nominal cost when you sign up).
Q. What is the sound quality like?
A. Generally, VoIP phones have very good sound quality. The sound quality of VoIP phones is very much determined by its environment. There are a number of factors that can positively or negatively influence the sound quality of a VoIP call. The most critical factor is your internet connectivity, meaning the size of your internet connection and how much free bandwidth is available for use by your VoIP phone. If you have a small connection, and you are downloading multiple large files at the same time, this could negatively affect the sound quality of a call. While having a large capacity internet connection with no other internet activity could result in an excellent, crystal clear call that is as good or better than a regular phone.
Q. How reliable is VoIP based phones compared to regular phones?
A. This largely depends on the quality of your internet connection. Typically VoIP can be very reliable, if the equipment and internet connection available on both ends of the call are of good quality. Just as with regular phones, buying bargain no-name equipment and service providers can result in mediocre or poor performance.
Q. Does my computer need to be on to use VoIP?
A. This usually depends on the type of VoIP service you are using and the equipment it depends on. Typically most are independent from your computer and thus do not need to have it on. They rely on equipment that is external to your computer. However, some "soft phones" require the computer to be on and for you to place the call through a special software program that resembles a phone, except it is on your computer screen.
Q. Does a VoIP phone work the same way as a regular phone?
A. In almost every aspect it is identical in typical day to day use. The way you call people, and the way others call you and how you answer the phone are all the same. In terms of similarity to regular phones, some VoIP phones are so similar, if placed along side regular phones most people would never even be able to tell which one is which.
Q. Can I call all the same people I talked to on regular phones?
A. You can contact all of your family and friends that have a phone number, this includes people with phone numbers on the regular telephone network, people on other VoIP services and cell phones.
Q. Would people be call me the same way they would with a regular phone?
A. Yes, the way others call you on a VoIP phone is typically identical to a regular phone line. The exception to this may be "soft phones" when a phone number is not assigned to your account and only soft phone to soft phone calls are achievable. Essentially, if you are assigned a phone number for your VoIP service, others can call you the same way they normally would have, if you had a regular phone.
Q. Can I use my internet connection while talking on a VoIP phone, does it affect the call quality?
A. You can definitely use your internet connection while talking on a VoIP phone. However, this is dependant on what sorts of tasks you are performing on the internet. If you are simply browsing web pages, this will rarely affect VoIP call quality. If you are downloading multiple large files, this may affect call quality. It depends on how much internet connection bandwidth is available to VoIP after taking into account the other data you are sending to and from your computer.
Q. What kind of internet connection do I need for VoIP?
A. Dial up internet connections are not recommended for VoIP. The larger the internet connection, the better the sound quality of VoIP calls. 1MB of bandwidth would be a good minimum for effective VoIP communications. Many popular Cable and DSL providers offer 1MB connections and above. It is typical for Cable and DSL providers to offer a range of service tiers ranging such as 1MB, 3MB and 6MB at various price points. While a 1MB may be suitable for some, depending on the quality of their internet provider's network, some may require more bandwidth as dictated by their experiences with VoIP on the internet connection they have. Also keep in mind internet provider network congestion may also contribute to lower internet connectivity speeds and or bandwidth that may adversely affect your VoIP call quality.
Q. Can I transfer my existing regular phone number to VoIP?
A. While most VoIP services allow for you to transfer your current regular phone number, some VoIP services may not allow for this, particularly "soft phones" which work as an application on your computer. It is recommended you check with the VoIP service provider you are interested in to confirm this.
Q. Can I dial 911 in emergencies with a VoIP phone?
A. The availability to use the 911 service greatly depends on the VoIP service provider you choose. Some do NOT have 911 emergency calling, others offer limited 911 dialing that does NOT send phone number of address information to the dispatch operator, while others offer enhanced 911 that functions very similarly to regular phones by sending your phone number and address information to the dispatch operator. It is important that you check the level of 911 service available from a VoIP provider to determine whether you are adequately covered in the event of an emergency. NOTE: VOIP PHONES DO NOT WORK DURING POWER FAILURES.
Q. Do services like 411 directory work with VoIP?
A. This is something that is dependant on the VoIP service provider. While many of the more larger and popular VoIP service providers have these services, it is not available in all cases.
Q. Do I need to contact my regular phone company to inform them I will use VoIP?
A. No, you do not need to inform your regular phone company that you will be using VoIP.
Q. Can I use a VoIP phone during a power failure?
A. No, VoIP phones cannot be used during a power failure, as most internet connectivity providers do not provider powered lines to transmit data during power failure.
Q. How will VoIP affect my internet bandwidth usage?
A. While it is difficult to estimate the exact amount of bandwidth you would use with VoIP in a given time frame, it is recommended that you monitor your bandwidth usage in the first week or month of use to gauge your usage. Many internet service providers place maximum download and upload limits on their service. So it is advisable to check your bandwidth usage regularly during your initial use of VoIP so that you can better gauge how it impacts your bandwidth.
Q. If I have a VoIP phone number, will it be listed in the phone book?
A. Typically your phone number will NOT be listed in the telephone book if you have the number through a VoIP provider.
Q. Since DSL goes through phone lines, does that mean its better for VoIP?
A. No. Whether your internet connection goes through a standard phone socket or not does not impact the performance or reliability of your VoIP calls. VoIP by DSL, Cable, even Wi-Fi performs the same, given the same about of bandwidth and network congestion.
Q. Is it really true that VoIP can be cheaper than using a regular phone line?
A. Absolutely. Many of the popular VoIP packages offer an incredible assortment of included calling features, unlimited North American calling, and low per minute rates for international calls. Similar services would be significantly more from many if not all regular phone service providers.
Q. Will I need to upgrade and buy new VoIP phones as the technology matures?
A. While it is difficult to give a firm answer, the most likely scenario is that you will be able to enjoy many years of service from the VoIP hardware you purchase or are provided from your VoIP carrier. The likelihood of needing to upgrade the hardware in the near future is slim to none.
Q. Can I select an area code for my VoIP phone number, even if I do not live in that area?
A. Yes, some VoIP service providers allow you to use area codes other than the ones designated for your area. Check the availability of the feature with the VoIP provider you are interested in using.
Q. Do fax machines work on a VoIP line?
A. Yes, many VoIP service providers offer fax related features for their service plans. Some even offer their VoIP plans with an additional dedicated fax line either included or for a small additional cost.
Q. When I travel, can I bring my VoIP hardware with me and use it on the road?
A. Yes, since VoIP uses the internet to transmit voice data, you do not need to be bound to a specific termination in order to use VoIP service. As long as you have all of your necessary VoIP hardware / software and are in a country that supports the power and compatibility requirements of your hardware, you can use VoIP just about anywhere.
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