What Is VoIP and How Does It Work?
VoIP, an acronym for Voice over Internet Protocol, uses Internet signals to send and receive voice messages.As long as you have the right hardware and software, you can use VoIP technology just like any other standard phone. All you need to do is pick up your phone and start dialing. You can send and receive phone calls just like you do with your existing telephone.
What is Required for VoIP?
- There are a few different ways to use VoIP. They are the following:
- A VoIP adapter and a standard telephone.
- A VoIP hard phone (or telephone with a built-in VoIP adapter).
- A VoIP soft phone (or software that allows a computer with a high-speed Internet connection to send and receive phone calls).
VoIP adapters are small devices that connect to the Internet connection and the phone.
What are Some Advantages of VoIP Phone Service?
For the most part, internet phone service providers are much less expensive than traditional phone services. The following are some different ways you can save:
- Lower monthly phone bills.
- No long distance charges.
- Cheaper international phone calls.
Internet phone providers also offer phone service features like call waiting, caller ID, voicemail, multi-party calls, and more.
What are Some Disadvantages of VoIP?
To date, there are only two concerns of VoIP services. First, 911 emergency services may not be available. Second, the call quality may not be as good as standard telephone service. When you use a VoIP Internet service, your phone isn't connected to the standard phone lines; it's connected to the Internet instead. As a result, your VoIP provider must route your emergency 911 calls to your local dispatch based on the address you have on file.
The issue behind call quality depends on your Internet connection speed. The recommended high-speed Internet connection for VoIP is a minimum 90 kbps (kilobits per second). However, call quality becomes less of a concern as Internet technology becomes faster.
