Free and cheap way to call (voip service)
What is VoIP?
VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is simply the transmission of voice traffic over IP-based networks.
The Internet Protocol (IP) was originally designed for data networking. The success of IP in becoming a world standard for data networking has led to its adaption to voice networking.
The Economics of VoIP
VoIP has become popular largely because of the cost advantages to consumers over traditional telepone networks. Most Americans pay a flat monthly fee for local telephone calls and a per-minute charge for long-distance calls.
VoIP calls can be placed across the Internet. Most Internet connections are charged using a flat monthly fee structure.
Using the Internet connection for both data traffic and voice calls can allow consumers to get rid of one monthly payment. In addition, VoIP plans do not charge a per-minute fee for longdistance.
For International calling, the monetary savings to the consumer from switching to VoIP technology can be enormous.
VoIP Telephones
There are three methods of connecting to a VoIP network:
VoIP telephone calls can be placed either to other VoIP devices, or to normal telephones on the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network).
Calls from a VoIP device to a PSTN device are commonly called "PC-to-Phone" calls, even though the VoIP device may not be a PC.
Calls from a VoIP device to another VoIP device are commonly called "PC-to-PC" calls, even though neither device may be a PC.
How to Choose a VoIP phone
The first choice is determining if you want a hardware VoIP phone or a software VoIP phone.
Hardware phones are generally easier to use and do not require a PC. Software phones are usually less expensive and may offer better options for CTI (Computer Telephony Integration).
Choosing a VoIP Phone
With either a hardware or software VoIP phones, the major considerations remain the same:
When selecting a hardware VoIP phone, you should consider these items:
How does VoIP work?
VoIP or Voice Over Internet Protocol (sometimes called Internet Telephony) is touted in some circles as the technology of future. The reasoning is simple, really. VoIP is bringing possibilities to the forefront of technological thinking because the possibilities were listed as impossible just a few years ago. VoIP uses a broadband Internet connection for routing telephone calls, as opposed to conventional switching and fiberoptic alternatives. This process holds great promise in providing higher efficiency and lower cost for communication consumers. One interesting aspect of the technology is that, for the user, no large scale infrastructure is required. It's all about combining the functionality of the Internet and a conventional phone into one single service with minimal software and hardware support.
How Does it Work ?
The most common way VoIP works is that the end user establishes a hi speed broadband connection, a router and a VoIP gateway. Instead of a standard telephone line, the router sends the telephone calls over an Internet connection. The VoIP gateway, placed somewhere in direct proximity of the connected Internet converts the analog signals into digital format, which are further broken down into smaller chunks called 'packets', before sending it over the Internet, much like the way data is transmitted to and from the computer. These packets are sent to their final destination and instructions for bringing back into an understandable form are embedded in them. It then goes through a VoIP gateway where the packets are reconverted into the original analog format utilizing a PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network), thereby routing the call to the number the caller has dialed blending old school technology and hi tech delivery in a seamless and instantaneous way.
More Than One Way to Make a Call
Using VoIP technology, phone calls can also be made using IP phones between two computers. IP phones looks like normal standard handsets, but equipped with an RJ-45Ethernet connector in place of the common RJ-11 connectors. These phones come with all the necessary hardware and software pre-loaded, allowing the user to directly connect to the router bringing the new user into the cost effective world of VoIP.
PC to PC calls are the easiest and most inexpensive way to make use of VoIP technology. There are many companies providing software for free or at reduced cost to encourage consumer experimentation with VoIP. When calling from a PC, all the user may need is a microphone, a suitable sound card and a reliable Internet connection. The service itself may be free of cost in many cases. The only fee the end user may have is the monthly fee for the Internet service provider and nothing additional for the actual calls made.
VoIP Features
The biggest advantage of VoIP is that the customers can make calls from anywhere in the world where a broadband Internet connection is available. The customers can take their IP phones or ATA's with them on national and international trips and still can manage to access what is essentially an individual's domestic phone line.
Then there are the softphones, which a software application that loads the VoIP services onto the desktop or laptop. Some even simulate an interface that looks like a telephone, with which you can place VoIP calls to anybody around the world, through a standard broadband connection.
Most VoIP services come with the caller id, call waiting, call transfer, repeat dialing and three-way dialing features. For additional features such as call filtering, forwarding a call, or sending calls directly to the voice mail, the service provider may assess an additional fee. Most VoIP services also allowthe user to check his/her voicemail over the web or attach messages to an e-mail that is sent to his/her PDA or PC.
Generally, the facilities and components provided by VOIP phone system suppliers and service operators may vary in significant ways. It is advisable to check the pros and cons before subscribing. Make sure that you have available technical support for the possible compatibility issues that could arise between the existing and new hardware components.
Conclusion
VoIP is still in its infancy. While it holds great promise, it has some major technical hurdles to jump, such as emergency calling, and the need for an uninterruptible power source (i.e. PC battery backup). However, as VoIP is set to become more widely available, let's hope there will be reliable solutions in place for the existing problems in the coming years. Who knows? In another five years, we may have VoIP system sans a router and the VoIP service being more common than conventional phone networks we rely on so heavily today.
VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is simply the transmission of voice traffic over IP-based networks.
The Internet Protocol (IP) was originally designed for data networking. The success of IP in becoming a world standard for data networking has led to its adaption to voice networking.
The Economics of VoIP
VoIP has become popular largely because of the cost advantages to consumers over traditional telepone networks. Most Americans pay a flat monthly fee for local telephone calls and a per-minute charge for long-distance calls.
VoIP calls can be placed across the Internet. Most Internet connections are charged using a flat monthly fee structure.
Using the Internet connection for both data traffic and voice calls can allow consumers to get rid of one monthly payment. In addition, VoIP plans do not charge a per-minute fee for longdistance.
For International calling, the monetary savings to the consumer from switching to VoIP technology can be enormous.
VoIP Telephones
There are three methods of connecting to a VoIP network:
- Using a VoIP telephone
- Using a "normal" telephone with a VoIP adapter
- Using a computer with speakers and a microphone
VoIP telephone calls can be placed either to other VoIP devices, or to normal telephones on the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network).
Calls from a VoIP device to a PSTN device are commonly called "PC-to-Phone" calls, even though the VoIP device may not be a PC.
Calls from a VoIP device to another VoIP device are commonly called "PC-to-PC" calls, even though neither device may be a PC.
How to Choose a VoIP phone
The first choice is determining if you want a hardware VoIP phone or a software VoIP phone.
Hardware phones are generally easier to use and do not require a PC. Software phones are usually less expensive and may offer better options for CTI (Computer Telephony Integration).
Choosing a VoIP Phone
With either a hardware or software VoIP phones, the major considerations remain the same:
- What VoIP call control protocols does the phone support?
- H.323
- SIP
- MGCP
- IAX2
- What VoIP codecs does the phone support?
- G.711
- G.722
- G.723
- G.726
- G.727
- G.728
- G.729
- ILBC
- Speex
- GSM – Full Rate
- GSM – Enhanced Full Rate
- GSM – Half Rate
- DoS FS-1015
- Does the phone support 3-way calling
- Does the phone support Do-Not-Disturb (DND)
- Does the phone support custom ringtones?
- Does the phone provide a method to work behind routers and NAT?
- Does the phone support STUN?
- Does the phone support Symmetric RTP?
- Does the phone support a SIP outbound proxy?
- Does the phone support QoS
- Does the phone support encryption?
- Secure RTP
- AES
When selecting a hardware VoIP phone, you should consider these items:
- What connections does the VoIP phone support?
- Ethernet
- Does the phone support Power Over Ethernet?
- Wi-Fi
- Dialup
- ISDN
- Ethernet
- Does the phone support IPv6?
- Does the phone support videoconferencing?
- Is the phone handset corded or cordless?
- Does the phone have a handset or a headset?
- Does the phone have a speakerphone?
- Does the phone have an LCD display?
- Is the LCD display backlit?
- Does the phone have good ergonomics?
- Do you like the style of the phones?
- Does the phone software support my Operating System?
- Is the phone software easy to use?
- Does the software support customizable skins?
- Does the software support videoconferencing?
- Does the software support shared whiteboarding?
How does VoIP work?
VoIP or Voice Over Internet Protocol (sometimes called Internet Telephony) is touted in some circles as the technology of future. The reasoning is simple, really. VoIP is bringing possibilities to the forefront of technological thinking because the possibilities were listed as impossible just a few years ago. VoIP uses a broadband Internet connection for routing telephone calls, as opposed to conventional switching and fiberoptic alternatives. This process holds great promise in providing higher efficiency and lower cost for communication consumers. One interesting aspect of the technology is that, for the user, no large scale infrastructure is required. It's all about combining the functionality of the Internet and a conventional phone into one single service with minimal software and hardware support.
How Does it Work ?
The most common way VoIP works is that the end user establishes a hi speed broadband connection, a router and a VoIP gateway. Instead of a standard telephone line, the router sends the telephone calls over an Internet connection. The VoIP gateway, placed somewhere in direct proximity of the connected Internet converts the analog signals into digital format, which are further broken down into smaller chunks called 'packets', before sending it over the Internet, much like the way data is transmitted to and from the computer. These packets are sent to their final destination and instructions for bringing back into an understandable form are embedded in them. It then goes through a VoIP gateway where the packets are reconverted into the original analog format utilizing a PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network), thereby routing the call to the number the caller has dialed blending old school technology and hi tech delivery in a seamless and instantaneous way.
More Than One Way to Make a Call
Using VoIP technology, phone calls can also be made using IP phones between two computers. IP phones looks like normal standard handsets, but equipped with an RJ-45Ethernet connector in place of the common RJ-11 connectors. These phones come with all the necessary hardware and software pre-loaded, allowing the user to directly connect to the router bringing the new user into the cost effective world of VoIP.
PC to PC calls are the easiest and most inexpensive way to make use of VoIP technology. There are many companies providing software for free or at reduced cost to encourage consumer experimentation with VoIP. When calling from a PC, all the user may need is a microphone, a suitable sound card and a reliable Internet connection. The service itself may be free of cost in many cases. The only fee the end user may have is the monthly fee for the Internet service provider and nothing additional for the actual calls made.
VoIP Features
The biggest advantage of VoIP is that the customers can make calls from anywhere in the world where a broadband Internet connection is available. The customers can take their IP phones or ATA's with them on national and international trips and still can manage to access what is essentially an individual's domestic phone line.
Then there are the softphones, which a software application that loads the VoIP services onto the desktop or laptop. Some even simulate an interface that looks like a telephone, with which you can place VoIP calls to anybody around the world, through a standard broadband connection.
Most VoIP services come with the caller id, call waiting, call transfer, repeat dialing and three-way dialing features. For additional features such as call filtering, forwarding a call, or sending calls directly to the voice mail, the service provider may assess an additional fee. Most VoIP services also allowthe user to check his/her voicemail over the web or attach messages to an e-mail that is sent to his/her PDA or PC.
Generally, the facilities and components provided by VOIP phone system suppliers and service operators may vary in significant ways. It is advisable to check the pros and cons before subscribing. Make sure that you have available technical support for the possible compatibility issues that could arise between the existing and new hardware components.
Conclusion
VoIP is still in its infancy. While it holds great promise, it has some major technical hurdles to jump, such as emergency calling, and the need for an uninterruptible power source (i.e. PC battery backup). However, as VoIP is set to become more widely available, let's hope there will be reliable solutions in place for the existing problems in the coming years. Who knows? In another five years, we may have VoIP system sans a router and the VoIP service being more common than conventional phone networks we rely on so heavily today.
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