What is VoIP?
First things first, VoIP stands for Voice over Internet
Protocol. At a base level that means phone calls over your
broadband connection. You really do need a high-speed connection
to take advantage of VoIP to get phone calls comparable to a
normal landline phone. Traditional "dial-up" connections are not
really sufficient.
VoIP works in a different way to your home phone. Your home
phone is based on an analogue network, whereas VoIP is based on
a digital one. Essentially when you speak into a VoIP enabled
phone or headset your voice is converted into digital packets;
it is then compressed to help your Internet connection run more
efficiently and then it is transferred down the connection much
like an email. Once it reaches its destination the process is
reversed.
Why might I want to switch to VoIP?
It?s a good question. We all have a working phone in our homes
or business, why should we change? Lets look at the advantages
and disadvantages of VoIP
Advantages
Well to put it simply - cost. VoIP makes calls significantly
cheaper. And (Depending on your package) for a low cost monthly
subscription local and national calls can be made for free, and
international calls made at a significantly lower rate.
When you subscribe to a VoIP service it is possible to get a
phone number for life. You will be able to take your number with
you whenever you move (or even travel) with obvious benefits.
The contract packages that companies who are offering the
service contain for the most part all the features and more that
your current phone service supplier offers. You are likely to
find most VoIP companies offering free voicemail, call
forwarding, caller ID, call waiting, call waiting ID, 3 way
calling, speed dialling and much more.
VoIP is very much in it's infancy; the technology is progressing
all the time. Future benefits that we may not be able to
envisage yet are certain to appear, you current analogue phone
system will not be able to compete.
Disadvantages
Your VoIP phones system will be exclusively based on your
broadband connection, if you ISP has a period of service
downtime then you will not be able to make calls. Additionally
if your electricity supply has a power out then you will not be
able to make any calls, this includes calls to the emergency
services. Some providers have already got a work around with the
emergency calls, so make sure when you decide on a supplier they
provide this.
A further disadvantage currently is the set up of the VoIP is
not the simplest procedure to undertake, though many suppliers
will assist with installation.
The quality of the call via VoIP can be slightly less than your
current analogue phone, but the technology is steadily
improving, and before long you will not be able to tell the
difference in call quality between the two mediums.
? Mike Bromley 2005
About the author:
The author runs asite about VoIP Service Providers
at www.speakonline.co.uk
