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What Is VoIP

by Je Dunn

VoIP stands for; Voice Over Internet Protocol. What VoIP does is it converts the voice signal from your telephone into a digital signal that travels over the Internet. This means NO phone charges! And this is why VoIP is such a buzz word today. VoIP presents businesses and consumers a like with an option to save on their phone bills. It is very simple to set up and use, and requires very little equipment. For instance...If you are calling a regular phone number, the signal is then converted back at the other end. Internet Voice can allow you to make a call directly from a computer. If you make a call using a phone with an adaptor, you’ll be able to dial just as you always have,and the service provider may also provide a dial tone. If your service assigns you a regular phone number, then a person can call you from his or her regular phone without using special equipment. What Do You Need To Get Started? A broadband Internet connection is required to make VoIP calls. Some services allow you to use a regular telephone, as long as you connect it to an adaptor. Some companies allow you to make calls from a computer or a VoIP phone that doesn’t require an additional adapter. If you are calling a regular telephone number, the person you are calling does not need any special equipment, just a phone. More and more companies are entering the VoIP arena everyday. The two most popular are Vontage and SKYPE. For a low monthly fee you can make unrestricted calls anywhere without incurring any long distant charges. As you can see VoIP can be a real money saving opportunity for smart consumers and businesses. It is important to compare plans when considering a VoIP provider. Depending on the plan 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, a long distance, or an international number. What Are Some Advantages of VoIP? Because VoIP is digital, it may offer features and services that are not available with a traditional phone. If you have a broad band Internet connection, you need not maintain and pay the additional cost for a line just to make telephone calls. About the Author: Discover more ways to save by using VoIP in your home or business by visiting Free VoIP Facts at: http://www.voip-3.com

Voice over IP (VoIP) Features

by Jason Morris

Because with VOIP you can make calls from anywhere you have access to a broadband connection, users can take their IP phones or ATA’s with them on trips and still have access to what is essentially their home phone. Some people use a softphone to access their VOIP service. A softphone is a specially developed software application that loads the VOIP service onto your desktop computer or laptop. Some even have an interface on the screen that looks like a traditional phone. These softphone applications allow you to place VOIP calls from your laptop; anywhere in the world you have access to a broadband connection. Most traditional phone companies charge you for extra features that are added to your account. With VOIP service providers these usually come as standard. Features such as: 1. Caller ID 2. Call Waiting 3. Call Transfer 4. Repeat Dialling 5. Return Call 6. Three-Way Dialling Some VOIP service providers also offer advanced call filtering features. These additional features allow you to decide how calls to a specific number are handled by using caller ID information. They allow you to: 1. Forward the call to a particular number 2. Send the call directly to voicemail 3. Give the caller a busy signal 4. Play a "not-in-service" message Many VOIP services also allow you to check your voicemail over the internet or attach messages to an e-mail that is sent to your computer or PDA. It’s best to check with VOIP phone system suppliers and service operators exactly what features they offer as package and service prices vary greatly. There are many other cost saving benefits that arise from a streamlined VOIP phone system network. For the network administrators, a VOIP phone system means they only have one network to maintain instead of two. The portability of the phone system is also greatly simplified. This is because most VOIP phone systems can be configured using a web interface, which can be managed by the network administrator. The MAC (move, add, change) process is made much easier, and you will not have to call your system/service provider for every MAC you carry out. All this means lower ongoing costs for your company. Another cost saving for companies who implement a VOIP system is, because multiple offices, no matter where they are in the world are seamlessly connected, they can share many of the features VOIP can offer, such as: 1. One single receptionist 2. Auto attendant facilities 3. Voice mail system About the Author Jason Morris is co-author, search engine optimization and marketing consultant of Business Phone Systems Direct. Specialists in the supply and installation of business phone systems and accessories