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If you've
never heard of VoIP, be prepared to change
your thinking of long distance phone calls.
VoIP, or Voice over Internet Protocol is a
method for taking analog audio signals, like
the kind you hear when you talk on the
phone, and turning them into digital data
that can be transmitted over the Internet.
How is this useful? VoIP can turn a standard
Internet connection into a way to place free
phone calls. The practical consequence of
this is that using a portion of free VoIP
software that is available to make Internet
phone calls, you are bypassing the phone
company (and its charges) entirely.
VoIP is a revolutionary technology that
offers the opportunity to completely rework
the telephone systems in the world. VoIP
providers like Vonage have already been
around for a while and are growing steadily.
Major carriers like AT & T are already
setting up of VoIP calling plans in several
markets across the United States, and the
FCC is looking seriously at the potential
ramifications of VoIP service.
Above all else, VoIP is basically a clever
"reinvention of the wheel." In this article
we explore the principles behind VoIP, its
applications and potential of this emerging
technology, which will more than likely one
day replace the system traditional phone
entirely.
The interesting thing about VoIP is that
there is no one way to place a call. There
are three different "flavors" VoIP service
in common use today:
ATA - The simplest way and most widespread
is the use of a device known as ATA (analog
telephone adapter). The ATA allows you to
connect a standard phone to your computer or
your Internet connection for use with VoIP.
The ATA is an analog-digital converter. It
takes the analog signal from your
traditional phone and converts it into
digital data for transmission over the
Internet. Providers like Vonage and AT & T
CallVantage are grouped ATAs free with their
service. You simply crack the ATA box, plug
the cable from your phone that would
normally be on the wall socket into the ATA,
and you're ready to make VoIP calls. Some
ATAs May come with additional software that
is loaded on the host computer to configure
it, but in any case, it is a very simple
installation.
IP Phones - These specialized phones
resembling normal phones with a handset,
cradle and buttons. But instead of having
the standard RJ-11 phone connectors, IP
phones have an RJ-45 Ethernet. IP phones
connect directly to your router and have all
the hardware and software necessary right
onboard to handle the IP call. The Wi-Fi
phones allow callers to subscribe to VoIP
calls from any Wi-Fi hot spot.
Computer to computer - This is certainly the
easiest way to use VoIP. You do not even
have to pay for long distance calls. There
are several companies offering free or very
low cost that you can use for this type of
VoIP. You only need the software, a
microphone, speakers, a soundcard and an
Internet connection, preferably a fast one
like you would pass through a cable modem or
DSL. Except for your normal monthly ISP fee,
there is usually no charge for computer to
computer calls, no matter the distance. |
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