VoIP

Voice over Internet Protocol

Is VoIP Vital?

Voice over Internet Protocol lets you make a telephone call using your computer and its high speed network. The voice signal from your telephone converts to voice over Internet protocol technology to a digitized signal that lets it be delivered across the Internet. Then when it gets to the person you're calling it changes back to regular telephone technology. You can have a traditional phone conversation calling any standard phone number. When you call with Voip using your land line phone using the adapter for VoIP you get a dial tone just as usual and you dial just the way you always did. VoIP sometimes lets you call directly from your PC using an ordinary microphone or standard telephone.

You can call two different ways with VoIP. The first way is by installation of an adaptor directly to your Web connection. When using this method your telephone call actually is delivered via your landline carrier to a VoIP provider. The call is routed out over the Web to the recipient's phone carrier to complete the telephone call. The other method for using VoIP is by plugging a headset and microphone directly into your computer. You then use your keyboard to dial the number and it routes right out by way of your cable modem. Setting up your VoIP phone connection requires a cable modem or something almost as fast such as your phone carrier's DSL equipment or LAN setup. Your phone can also directly connect to the adaptor. Your other option is to purchase a microphone that isn't very costly and hook it into your computer directly.

Costs for VoIP services vary by provider. Some charge nothing for their services if you're calling people who are also their subscribers. Your provider of voice over Internet Protocol might permit you to choose an area code that is not your local home area code. What this will do is give you free local calls to this area code, which saves on the long distance charges. It can affect the price of calls that people make to you, however, either negatively or positively. If your VoIP offers this service you'd want to choose an area code that is most active for your outgoing as well as incoming calls. There are VoIP providers that charge long distance fees just as the local carriers do - for calls outside your local calling area. Others charge you a flat rate to call anywhere for a predetermined maximum number of minutes.

Who you can call with VoIP depends on which provider you use. You might be only able to call those who have the same provider or you might be able to make a call to anyone you choose anywhere in any country. You can make a VoIP call to a local landline, a cell phone, or a long distance domestic or international call. VoIP even allows conference calls. Whoever you are calling does not need VoIP, an adapter or even a computer. They just need a phone like any other call.

Because of the digitization of VoIP it offers some things that standard phones don't. If you have broadband for your Web connection then you get to save the money that you have been spending on your phone line and service. What's good about VoIP is that it can save you phone service costs as well as long distance fees. What's bad about it is that you might not be able to make a call if the power goes out and you might not be able to call 911. Directory assistance and the standard residential and business white page listings might not be offered either.

Newton Meckley is the webmaster and owner of
Mico Voip
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