What is VoIP Phone Service - A Guide by VoIPBazar.com
VoIP is a revolutionary technology which is taking the world by storm. VoIP takes its abbreviations from Voice over Internet Protocol which runs on top of a internet connection. VoIP has been around since many years but it has recently become very popular due to the fact that it costs much less than a traditional PSTN phone service and it has many features to offer. VoIP is also known as Broadband Phone, Internet Phone and digital phone, it is all about branding that some providers prefer to rename it but the fact is that they all use the same core VoIP technology.
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VoIP is very simple and easy to use and its for everyone, you dont have to be a computer expert to make use of VoIP technology. It is not mandatory that the other person you are calling has VoIP or not, call routing takes place on a VoIP exchange which routes the call to the called party. You simply pick up your standard phone and make a call, it is simple as that.
The only requirement for VoIP technology is that you should have a high speed internet connection, such as DSL or cable, as the VoIP service runs on top of Internet connection. VoIP service requires a speed of up to 64 Kbps for a carrier grade VoIP service, however VoIP can work on narrow band (lower speed internet connections) by utilizing industry standard compression codecs. But it is highly recommended that you have a high speed internet connection for un-interrupted VoIP service. Higher the speed of internet is the better the quality of VoIP.
What are the benefits of VoIP?
VoIP has many benefits to offer and the list is huge for this guide, to name a few.
You only pay a low monhtly fee which covers all of your local and long distance phone calls. Some VoIP providers will offer you multiple lines for the price of one, which means you can benefit from having multiple lines at home or share with family and friends and call each other for free and pay only for 1 line.
Also there are no unexpected or unexplained taxes or regulatory fees. There are no surprises when it comes to VoIP billing. On top of all the benefits there are no taxes charged on VoIP Internet based phone calls which is the important reason why this service is very cost effective.
We can help you choose the best VoIP provider in your area. Compare our most popular VoIP Service Providers.
What features VoIP has to offer?
The list of available features with VoIP (broadband phone service) are incredible. We may not be able to list all of features due to the length of features it has to offer. To name a few following most popular features are available.
Telephone conversation which is a pulse type analog signal, your voice is converted into pulse analog signal and then analog signal is converted into chunks of very small data packets and sent over internet connection to your VoIP service provider. When the data packets arrive at VoIP service provider it is again translated into plain speech. That is how a VoIP call takes place.
- Since your voice is carried over in the shape of data packets and it is perfect for the VoIP service provider to offer you many following features.
- When you are away, store incoming calls to voice mail if you do not want to be disturbed by the phone calls.
- Send a voice mail to you as an e-mail attachment so you can listen to it on any computer anywhere in the world.
- Call waiting
- Three-way calling
- Call forwarding
- 69 (find out who last called you)
- 67 (block your number from caller ID)
- Repeat dialing (keeps trying a occupied number)
- Call Recording
- Call meeting
- Video Call convention
- and many many more features
Please also note that this technology is data packets based hence the possibilities for the features are endless, any feature you can imagine can be offered with VoIP technology.
What are the Disadvantages of VoIP Service?
Most VoIP service providers offer 911 calling services but there are few that do not offer 911 emergency VoIP calling. To be sure, check our our VoIP Service Provider comparison page to see which service providers have this capability.
The only disadvantage this technology has what happens when your power goes out at home or office or you lose your Broadband internet service. As you already aware that the VoIP service is dependent on Internet connection so it is important that you have very reliable internet connection and you may want tp secure your IT equipment by using a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply). Another option is to use your mobile phone to make and receive calls on those rare occasions.
What equipment do I need for VoIP Service?
To make and receive VoIP calls you will need an ATA device (analog telephone adapter) which is usually supplied by VoIP service provider and a traditional telephone handset. When we talk about VoIP people suddenly think a computer is required for VoIP to work, bear in mind that computer is not required for VoIP to function. ATA is the main brain of VoIP which converts your voice speech into data packets.
ATA allows you to make and receive phone calls as usual, using your own standard corded or cordless phone. Alternatively if you dont want to use ATA then you may want to use a computer to make and receive phone calls. But it is highly recommended that you use a ATA device or SIP / IAX compliant device to make and receive VoIP calls.
A typical residential VoIP solution will look like this.
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You must be thinking why there is a computer in the abovee picture - well you still want your high speed internet, right? You can surf the web while your family talk to their friends on the phone.
If you have more than one phone in your home the recommended connection is to use cordless telephones. The base station of the cordless telephone plugs directly into the VoIP ATA. The additional handsets can then be placed anywhere in your home, distributing the VoIP phone service to your required locations.
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