VoIP Solutions: The New Age Telephony

VoIP Solutions: The New Age Telephony

by Kristen Kiya

Voice over Internet Protocol(VoIP) is a more common term of 'phone over the Internet'. If you have a reasonable quality Internet connection then you can get phone services delivered to your Internet connection. Before reaching the destination, the technology converts voice into regular telephonic signal. By using this service, you can directly make calls from your computer with the help of a special VoIP phone or a traditional phone connected to a special adapter. This function can either be included into the phone itself or in a separated box like a Analog Terminal Adapter(ATA).

Some people use VoIP solutions along with their traditional phone service, though VoIP solution providers usually offer lower rates than the traditional companies. Sometimes VoIP phone calls (even international) can be absolutely FREE. Several service providers are present who provide these type of “free” facilities. Examples are: 'Free World Dial up' and 'Skype'. The service providers sometime permit to select an area code different from the area. On the other side, some VoIP providers do charge for a long distance call for outside calling area, just like the traditional wireless telephone service. And some VoIP solution providers permit you to call anywhere at a flat rate for a fixed number for a minute.

The VoIP-to-VoIP phone calls are sometimes free while VoIP calls connecting to Public Switching Telephone Network (VoIP-to-PSTN) may have an attached cost that is charged by the VoIP service provider.

There are three categories of VoIP service provider. These are, Single line resident/business plans service provider, B2B service provider-bulk organisational/terminal service provider (Business VoIP solutions) and RIP VoIP service provider.

You can use your computer while talking on the VoIP phone and some service provider offers service that can be used where a high speed Internet connection is not available. Using VoIP service in a new location may affect your ability to connect directly to emergency services. So, be ready to use the services of VoIP solutions but with due care.