Are You Ready For VoIP?
VoIP
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| So does the abbreviation VoIP leave you dumb struck? Don't worry; even I was when I heard about it for the first time. The clouds parted when I discovered what it stands for: Voice over Internet Protocol.
Have you ever been left hapless at the sight of immensely long queues outside phonebooks? And that too when you need to make a call to your aunt in LA and wish her on her 65 th birthday. And, though you brave the queue for seemingly endless minutes or hours, the constantly rising bill makes you our or conversation too short to even cal it conversation. International calls are still not dirt cheap and now that the world and its brother have PC's and Internet connection, even technophobes should have enough sense to download software that enables you to make phone calls using the Internet! Yes, you read it right. Make phone calls using Internet. Just need to catch hold of an IP phone and a software like Skype and you are ready for a futuristic roller coaster experience!
Calling anywhere on Earth for three or four rupees a minute - at most, is a pretty darn good idea, and one that's catching on big time. VoIP, in layman's terms is the use of certain hardware and software that makes you call up any other person on this planet. Thereafter, you only need a good headset to have a chat and assuming of course, that you have a multimedia PC and not a BBC micro.
In a poll conducted worldwide, as many as a billion people have abandoned telephone for IP telephony. In fact, you can make a phone call to the US on dialpad coin for as little as 75 paise a minute. The internet does not know or care whether the data that's rushing through its 'routers' began as a phone conversation or a movie or a search for Pamela Anderson. As long as it is in digital packets, it can find its' way to the Internet Protocol (IP) address it's meant for. And so what is happening is more and more phone calls are getting made through Internet.
You can do it in either of the following of two ways: by going to a site like http://dialpad.com or perhaps your own Internet service provider's site (if they offer the service), or by just picking up an IP phone at a broadband Internet café like sify. If you make the call using your computer all you have to do is to go to the website, buy a prepaid package that suits you using your credit card, and enter the destination number.
Another way is Skype. Skype is a free software for Internet phoning. It's so simple that even technophobia can't be an excuse. Check out whether your computer has Windows 2000 or XP, 400 MHz or a more powerful processor, 126 MB or more RAM, a sound card, speakers and microphones and atleast 33.6 kbps dial-up-modem connection. A broadband connection is best. Make sure your hard drive has atleast 15MB space to download Skype. If the above is Greek to you, just ask any geek to check out your system parameters.
Now, go to http://www.skype.com, click on the download link, save the programme on your desktop, open it and double click on the installation file. Once Skype is installed, take out your last month's phone bill and have a good laugh.
With Skype, you can call another Skype-user anywhere in the world for free (you only pay for the net usage, not calls). Skype has an option for landline calls that requires payment charges depend on where you are calling. But rates are still cheaper than landline costs.
The voice may break or come in snatches if the connection is slow. But things are likely to get vapidly better in that matter. My experience has been that if your soundcard, microphone and headsets are of good quality, Skype gives you fairly good service.
Also, IP telephony scores over messenger services offered by MSN or AOL. In the letter, if your net connection speed is different from your interlocutor's, its' hard to talk simultaneously. With Skype, this makes no difference.
The broadband wagon has started to role, so its' success seems assured. In fact, it could even affect mobile telephony. New Scientist reported earlier this year that cellphones with built in Wi-fi capability that link to low-cost internet connection are nearly for launch long-distance call costs can take another big fall.
The flip side is, if you are calling Skype-to-Skype, the called party will have to be online and pretty near the computer. Similarly, if a Skype-contact calls you and you are offline or online but missing about in the other room, you'll miss the call.
That's a disadvantage so do as the experts suggest. Just spread the word on your online habits among your Skype - contacts or pre - arrange a chat by email or via a short, normal phone conversation. But the whole purpose of the technology is defeated by the cost of Skype - enabled phones still, with IP telephony, I sometimes wish to give all the phone booth things a piece of my mind - at little cost and from a safe distance. |
VoIP Tutorial - Things You Need To Get Started With VoIP
VoIP
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| Now that you've decided that VoIP or Voice Over Internet Protocol is right for you, there are a few things that you have to do to get started. The following are steps you can take to immediately enjoy the benefits of VoIP.
Updating Your Computer
First on your list is to update your computer. You need to have a High Speed Internet connection. Also you would need to have updated video and audio Codecs as well as the latest version of DivX. Updating your computer is easy by utilising tools or programs such as your Windows Update.
Deciding on a Service Provider
The next step is for you to decide on a service provider that can offer you the right VoIP service plan. As there are many companies offering such services, you could make the decision easier by writing down a list of your needs, wants, as well as features in that fit your needs. Compare the many plans available and make your choice.
One thing to remember is that there are normally two plans available: Residential and Business. Residential plans can either be a basic plan which provides a certain amount of talk time, or an unlimited plan which provides unlimited local and long distance access. On the other hand, a Business plan can provide services such as multiple phones, longer talk time, better unlimited calling plans, added business features, voicemail and faxing features, as well as other extras like listings in the yellow pages. Make sure that you choose a plan that is catered to your needs. The service provider that you finally decide on can also assist you in determining what other computer requirements you will need to have. Again, it is important that your computer be up to date and complies with the service provider's requirements.
Getting a Telephone Adapter
The telephone adapter will be given to you by your service provider. With this adapter, you can now convert your everyday household phone into a phone that works with your VoIP service. Using an Ethernet cable, connect your telephone adapter to your Cable or DSI modem. Then connect your telephone to the adapter with a phone jack. Besides a regular phone, you could also opt to use a portable phone to the adapter, and have the ease of a portable phone that works with your VoIP service. However, this is just the standard portable phone used indoors, not to be confused with a cell phone.
Choosing Your Own Telephone Number
Now you have the option of choosing your own telephone number, one of the best features that VoIP offers. If you are contemplating on keeping your old number with your new VoIP system, discuss this with your service provider first. Most VoIP service providers will allow you to do this. However, keep in mind that selecting a different number or area code has many advantages. To start with, for family members and friends who do not have unlimited long distance calling options, choosing the same area code as theirs can immediately save them money. They will definitely thank you for having being given the opportunity to call you as if it were a local call.
On a larger perspective, this option is very advantageous to those who own businesses that are aiming at specific regions. Say you own a business in Florida, yet at the same time, you would like to expand to Los Angeles, California. In choosing the Los Angeles, California code, you could easily increase sales and productivity as you now have a local number that customers can call. This would also reduce the need for a toll free number.
Installing and Activating Your VoIP Features
Your VoIP service plan comes with an array of added features. For residential plans, these could mean Caller ID, Voicemail, Call Forwarding, Call Block and Do Not Disturb. Constantly check with your service provider to get a full listing of features that come with your chosen plan. If you opt for a business plan, you would enjoy services like free fax lines, multi phone users, and integrated VoIP and web features. VoIP also provides the same features in the basic plans. Again remember that when deciding on your service provider, compare the various plans available and choose one that best fits your needs.
Accessorising
As VoIP gets more and more advanced, a whole new group of accessories are introduced in the market. Today, you have the luxury of choosing from many types of VoIP phones, headsets, even VoIP videophones that incorporate your audio with video.
Enjoying Your VoIP Service
Now that you have everything you need, you can start enjoying your VoIP service. Regardless if you choose the basic or unlimited plan, you will realise that with VoIP, you now enjoy more freedom, reliability and greater standards of quality, not to mention the most cost effective method in meeting all of your telecommunications needs than you ever thought possible. |
Advantages and Disadvantages of VoIP: Know Them Before Switching to VoIP Service
VoIP
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| Today, more and more people are consciously making an effort to learn about Voice over Internet Protocol or VoIP. One thing that they all look for is whether or not VoIP can act as an alternative to the good ol' telephone service, which has made such an impact in the lives. Can VoIP replace the humble telephone for good? One way to find out is to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of VoIP.
VoIP offers many advantages for you. Among them are:
1. VoIP is a whole lot cheaper compared to your normal landline telephone. With a residential VoIP plan you only need to pay about $9.95 for the most basic service up to about $39.95. For a business VoIP plan, the cost would be somewhere about $49.95 to $99.95 and comes inclusive with a separate fax number.
2. The VoIP "modem" (which is free) is delivered to you in only 5 to 10 days. Or you could buy it at your local store for same day service and get the VoIP provider to credit it against your bill.
3. The services which are considered as 'extras' in your regular landline telephone service, such as Caller ID, Call Waiting, Call Forwarding, Voice Mail, 3-Way Conferencing, Repeat Dialling, and Call Block are now standard services with your VoIP. In short, you don't have to pay extra for these 'extra' services. They come free with the package, including the most sought after service: unlimited calling, either local or long distance.
4. With VoIP service, there is no charge for any incoming calls, which cannot be said for US cellular service providers. The same also holds true for outgoing 'local' calls, which depends on your talk plan.
5. With VoIP service in North America, 'local' is always inclusive of US, Canada, some countries in Western Europe, parts of Asia, and parts of Latin America. For countries which are not already included, there are international plans available which cost a lot less than that offered by the standard long distance services providers. Another way is for you to make occasional calls without a plan, but for far lower charges per-minute compared to the usual long distance plans. For VoIP services in Europe, Asia and elsewhere around the globe, this also applies (more or less) in reverse.
6. With VoIP service, you don't need to have a computer. Just take your average phone cable from your VoIP modem and plug it into your regular desktop or portable phone.
7. With VoIP service, you can activate every phone jack in the house. First, disconnect your house internal phone wiring from the regular telephone service at the phone box outside (most probably on your front wall). Then, simply take the VoIP modem and plug it into any existing wall jack inside your house. However, this option is not available for those who live in apartments.
8. With VoIP service, you can choose your own virtual phone number in almost any area code that you wish for at a very low price (around $5). This way you can have friends and family dial a local number that will then ring on your phone. The drawback is that you can't make outgoing calls, as it's not considered as a 'real' line phone line.
9. With VoIP service you can have low cost 800 numbers. This way it will be free for people to call you and yet will not be too hard on your pockets. There are monthly rates fixed for you, but they vary according to the provider. Generally it could cost you about $5 for the first 100 minutes per month, and somewhere about 4.5 cents per minute beyond that.
10. Some VoIP service providers offer a service that could locate you called 'Find Me' at other numbers that you provide, either in sequence or simultaneously, should you fail to answer your call. If you still don't answer, your call will then go to your Voice Mail which can be retrieved later.
11. And finally, the icing on the cake: You can take your home or office 'phone' with you wherever you go. Just bring your VoIP modem with you, and when you get to your destination, plug it into any high-speed internet connection. You could be in a hotel room in the Caribbean, at your friend's or relative's house in Paris or even at the airport. No matter where you are, one you're plugged in, you can make as well as receive calls on your regular phone number. Charges are based on your home location. You could be in New Zealand and if anybody were to call your office or home number in Atlanta, they would never know that you're not really there. And if you make calls, your regular caller ID still shows.
As with everything else, with advantages there are certain disadvantages, even for VoIP services:
1. If you utilise a cable connection for your Internet, your upline is 2 to 10 times slower than your downline. This means that, although you can hear crystal clear what the other person is saying, they may not necessarily hear you. This could lead them to hang up (as they don't know you're on the line), or to them telling you to call from a regular phone and to get off the speaker phone.
Even though VoIP companies insist that 256K should be sufficient for a clear signal, it does not seem to be the case. Thankfully there are ways to overcome this obstacle if you have a very knowledgeable VoIP support tech. Consult your VoIP service providers about this.
2. The quality of high-speed connections may vary, as it is dependant on many factors, including the number of other users on your cable line, or your distance from the nearest DSL booster node. This means that the VoIP quality may vary daily or during each call.
3. During your calls, when there is no one speaking, there is a silence that could lead the other person to think that the line has gone dead. This is especially true for those who have become so used to hearing a slight buzz when using a regular telephone. Instead of being bombarded with many people asking "are you still on the line?" you should first explain this silence that you will encounter at the very beginning of your conversation.
4. When using VoIP service, you may not be able to 'activate' a new credit card, as the computer at the other end will claim that you are not calling from a home phone. The reason for this is yet unknown as VoIP providers have yet to answer this.
5. While conversing, you should never allow anyone to put you on silent hold, as the VoIP service may disconnect you when it doesn't hear anything. It assumes that you are no longer on the line, thus disconnecting you after a while.
6. If you have an upline signal that is not capable of relaying your call, and when you cannot get through, all that you'll be hearing is a recording stating that "Your call cannot be completed at this time", which can be very annoying if it happens often.
7. Sometimes, your VoIP service will just cease to work. How to solve this depends on your provider. Mostly it will take some unplugging and replugging of various connections: VoIP modem, router, cable connection, DSL connection. It all depends on your provider and the solution (and sequence) that they provide you with.
8. And finally, in what is the worst disadvantage among all, if you lose your Internet connection for whatever reason imaginable, you lose your telephone service. Should you decide to depend almost entirely on VoIP service, then you are strongly advised to have a cell phone with you at all times. This also works in your favour as you can set your VoIP service to call your cell automatically should you not answer your VoIP line.
The verdict? Commercial VoIP service is an actual telephone service, compared to the likes of messenger services (computer-based) or Skype (which insists that it is not a telephone service). Of course it has its disadvantages, it has no video (at the moment that is) and has some minor glitches. Yet these glitches can be put up with when you realize that you can save anywhere from $30 to $100 a month. These glitches may be a big issue if you plan to use VoIP for your office, but if you have a cell phone with you for back up, you'd have no problems at all. You may find yourself joining the huge number of users who have gone 100% VoIP, with the intention of never again using the telephone.
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World Wide Wireless Web.(wwww)
VoIP
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| World Wide Wireless Web.(wwww)
Integration of MPLS With 3G/4G, WLAN and Other Wireless Technologies
BACKGROUND Through last couple of years, cellular systems have becomes one of the most popular wirelesses Communication mediums. But in the hot spot region use of WLAN has enlarged due to its high data rate and low installation cost. The recent increase in the worldwide usage of networking technologies has posed several questions and brought new opportunities to the research and academic community. The developments in these technologies have occurred independent from one another. This has limited the interoperability of various systems. On the other hand, due to e-commerce and other interesting new applications of the networking technologies, the user is attracted to subscribing more than one type of services, such as wireless Internet, multimedia, global positioning systems, etc. However, there is a need of integration of these technologies from an inter-operability point of view. This need seems to be best met by defining international common goals that could be used as guidelines for designer and vendors of such technologies.
INTRODUCTION In this paper, we present an integration of GPRS/3G/4G and WLAN in connection with Multi protocol label switching (MPLS). The mobility is managed by hierarchical mobile IPv6 (HMIPv6). The aim of this paper is to look at seamless mobility with low signaling overhead and provision for optimal quality of service (QoS)
Wireless networks are projected to integrate not only the services (to provide multimedia), but also encompass an integration of technologies. The technology integration has two aspects, namely, the integration of the same technology from different parts of the world, and secondly, the integration of different technologies in the same country.(3G) wireless systems are working diligently to realize the integration of various Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) standards. Similarly, IP services with CDMA, integration of CDMA air-interface with other wireless access networks, such as wireless LANs, wireless ATM, fixed wireless broadband Internet access are all proceeding at a rapid pace. In other words, a user with a terminal and a single subscription may have access to any or all services that multimedia mobile data networks have to offer.
Technically, there are many ways in which these integration goals can be achieved. One (almost traditional) approach is to have one-to-one interface between any two different technologies at a fixed point and allow all traffic to pass though this point for a 'protocol conversion'. An example of this is the use of ATM Adaptation Layers (AALs) to carry IP and telephone traffics over an ATM backbone. AAL provides a separate interface between each type of higher layer above the backbone network. All traffic is switched end-to-end via the ATM switches in this case.
A second approach of the technology integration is to allow all traffics share the network resources and incorporate some sort of multiple label switching. This approach places the design complexity in a switching device with a signaling additive, and liberates the traffic from delays for protocol conversion. An example of this approach is the Internet's multiple protocol labels switching (MPLS). This approach is already proving to be agreeable among the research and industrial community and has the exclusive benefit of reducing processing over packets of data - much desirable for multimedia traffic. The input and output links to the switch, are shared by all traffic types. When a packet enters the switch, a label-processing block first determines the packet type (IP, ATM, Wireless, Etc.). The label processor then directs the packet to one of the planes labeled as Wireless, IP and ATM depending upon the label on the packet. Each one of these planes performs routing according to a different principle. For example, ATM routing is based on virtual circuit identifier or virtual path identifier (VCI/VPI). Similarly, IP routing is of store-and-forward nature, while a wireless network may provide a mixture of the two. In this way, the switching and routing delay experienced by a packet in the switch depends on its network type.
Future research may have to expand the scope of MPLS concept to bring it at the access node of a network. Let us look at the limitations of Wireless Networks
DESIGN LIMITATIONS OF A WIRELESS NETWORK From an engineering point of view, the ultimate design goal of any network is the resource utilization efficiency. Resource is anything that has a cost associated with it. For wireless networks, bandwidth is the most precious resource. Not only is the bandwidth tightly regulated by respective governments, but it is also consumed more easily due to unreliable wireless channel. In a cable channel, the signal energy is directed along with the cable. The wireless signal, however, faces many channel impairments, such as attenuation, multipath, interference from other users, and interference from natural sources of noise. The design problems are worsened due to a multitude of access technologies to be interfaced with Third and higher generation (3G+) wireless networks. The 3G+ wireless networks are expected to integrate services and technology on a global level. They are to provide the multiple QoS of an ATM network with the flexibility of an IP network. Due to the datagram nature of the IP networks and limited radio resource of a wireless channel, the issue of guaranteeing the Quality of Service (QoS) automatically requires efficient call control and resource management mechanisms.
QUALITY OF SERVICE (QOS) DEFINITION In many parts of the world, (such as the United States of America), the developments in wireless and fixed networks have occurred independent of each other. This independence (read non-cooperation) is to such an extent that there are compatibility and interoperability problems even among various systems using the same technologies. This problem is naturally worsened when multimedia is introduced in 3G+ wireless systems (same applies to fixed networks, such as ATM and IP networks). The CDMA, the Internet and ATM standards all have different definitions of QoS. The objective of all networks is to provide multimedia services to a non-technical end-user. Exploiting this common goal, there is a need to investigate the possibility of defining QoS that could be mapped from one network to another without sacrificing the quality or the resources, be it from loss/delay probabilities point of view, bandwidth guarantees, or congestion control mechanisms. Various researchers have tried to find a common ground among different networks, yet there is no general definition of QoS available in the literature. There is a need for comprehensive examination of the motivations behind these localized definitions of QoS to come up with some definitions applicable to any multimedia network. This task might lay the foundations for much of the future research work.
DEFINING UNIVERSAL GOALS OF ANY NETWORKING TECHNOLOGY As noted above, there have been many independent developments in all areas of networking. One such example is the multitude of radio access networks available today in some countries. Indoor wireless LANs, outdoor cellular networks, fixed Internet access (wireless local loops or WLLs), mobile Internet access, wireless packet data and a large number of systems falling under the Personal Communications Services (PCS) offer private and public networking services . These various systems sometimes differ in many ways, such as, the radio frequency spectrum, the scope of operation, the type of QoS provided and even the data rates. Obviously one type can't be considered to compensate for all; their mere existence is their justification. But, for a user who needs subscription to all or most services, the existence of so many different technologies creates a dilemma as to what type of subscription can meet maximum demands. It is perceived by industry and researchers that the future networks will have the provision that subscription to any service anywhere in the world will provide a user with all the services from a single point of service (POS). This is a very powerful concept and has been the mission of many visionaries in research and standardization agencies. Defining universal goals by standardization agencies could go a long way in bringing the integration of these various technologies. This is a humongous task and there are no guidelines to follow to begin with. The idea is of defining a constitution of network technologies and the technologies can be considered as laws based on this constitution.
EFFICIENT CALL CONTROL FOR WIRELESS NETWORKS It should be obvious by now that the logical unification of QoS definitions and categorization of various radio access technologies would result in wireless mobile networks provisioning a diverse database of users. For successful resource allocation, call progression and completion, each type of user application may require a different set of control parameters. Thus, there is a need of universal call acceptance and control procedures with common parameters among various networks. For example, each network should be able to implement a very general mechanism with parameters that have different values for different service types. This concept, very similar to the original ATM UNI specifications, can help achieve the universal connectivity on global bases. No doubt that the realization of UMTS is a step in that direction, the actual call control mechanisms in the specifications are inherited from earlier wireless standards. This has left a void for implementers of 3G technologies that directly translate to interesting research issues for the researchers. Call control mechanisms are required to be defined at the call origination and hand-off points. Novel architectures, such as the use of multiple-label switching at the UNI and base stations could provide a ubiquitous solution to technology integration.
QOS MAINTENANCE DURING DIFFERENT PHASES OF A CALL This issue is the crux of integration of technologies providing multiple QoS services. Regardless of technologies incorporated, the final goal of any multimedia network (wired or wireless) is to satisfy the end-user. That means several things from a network design point of view, including,
(i) Availability of services with differing QoS attributes.
(ii) Making certain that enough resources are available before a call is admitted to a network, and most importantly,
(iii) Maintaining the promised QoS during call progression.
The last item is perhaps the most difficult task - and is expected to be the continuing subject of much of the future research in wireless networks. This problem is especially worsened in network architectures under focus for next generation of multimedia services due to many reasons. Some reasons are enumerated below:
(a) In any IP network (wireless or fixed) committing to a QoS is still an unresolved issue. This is due to the connectionless nature of the IP protocol. Since the early 1990's there have been several approaches used by IETF to resolve this issue . But due to extremely heterogeneous nature of the Internet, existence of firewalls coupled with feedback congestion control of TCP protocol, none of the proposals has been a decisive winner.
(b) The wireless channel is not only highly statistical; its statistical properties fluctuate depending on a myriad of factors
(c) Specific issues due to mobility, such as handoff, make a permanent QoS solution impossible at this time.
Here is an interesting example of such problem: Suppose that a wireless multimedia terminal (WMT) has a packet that is scheduled in cell i to be transmitted before time TF. Before the packet is actually transmitted, the WMT moves to another cell, say cell j. In cell j a new scheduling time is allocated, say, T*F. Since there is high probability that T*F > TF, the QoS promised to the WMT will suffer unless a QoS maintenance algorithm is available with the handoff procedure to assure the QoS is met.
The above issues are expected to shape the research in multimedia networking of the near future, which in turn will change the way we live. With all challenges come opportunities unique to them. The integration of networking technologies is no exception and brings home several interesting issues to be researched. CONVERGENCE OF WLAN AND 3G MOBILE There's a cold, hard inevitability about the convergence of WLAN and 3G mobile, but the business case that will drive this integration forward has split the wireless industry - with VOIP the primary cause of the rift, according to a new report from the subscription research service Unstrung Insider.
"The major issue dominating the sector is how, and whether or not, VOIP calls over wireless LAN should be integrated into the mobile network call model," "Offloading calls to VOIP has its attractions, but operators are lukewarm on subsidizing handsets that could be used to bypass their networks."
The resolution of this issue is critical to the ongoing integration of multiple radio access networks, including WiMax, into a single converged core network. "Rather than straightforward VOIP offload, converged applications and rich-call services - data services over an IMS core - represent the best long-term opportunity for 802.11-to-3G convergence,".
To be continued...................................... |
VOIP: What You Really Need to Know
VoIP
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| For the past ten years, the internet has played a huge role in everyone's lives. From computer games to managing finances and new flourishing industries, the World Wide Web has been thriving in everyone's eyes. Now that it has entered all of our homes, it has started to take over our phone lines as well. Of course this is no surprise, as internet phone calls have always been in the background. However, recently, VOIP (also known as Voice Over Internet Protocol) has finally caught thousands of people's attention.
For those who don't know, VOIP has become the latest way to connect with others. In simpler terms, it is a phone call that comes directly from an internet connection. It is not only going to be the future of the telephone industry, but it will attract thousands of consumers because it comes with a lot of different advantages. No matter how budget conscious you are, you will most likely love VOIP's affordability. We all have experienced outrageous long distance fees and extravagant monthly bills. For this reason, many telephone subscribers feel that VOIP is a blessing in disguise, as the prices and fees are twice as low. On the other hand, there are some downsides to this form of service. Unfortunately, businesses are going to have to deal with downtime and the possibility of a bad connection. After all, the internet always has occasional issues, and may require extra attention and additional fees. Nevertheless, as long as they give it a try for a few months, the benefits are usually overwhelming. Regardless of potential problems, large firms like IBM have embraced it with open arms.
In order to use VOIP, all you need is a VOIP program and a microphone. Surprisingly, many VOIP programs are free or very affordable to buy. With a pair of speakers and a phone number to dial, you are easily on your way to using VOIP. Due to the popularity of wireless internet, anyone can place a phone call, no matter where they are. It is a convenient alternative, especially if you are displeased with regular telephones. For this reason, there are already thousands of users becoming regular VOIP users. In the future, most homeowners will be a customer.
If you do not want to use this form of VOIP, there is another alternative. There are specialized VOIP phones that often come with video conferencing. This is a great product for any business that has long distance clients or other offices. Companies like IBM love the fact that they have a VOIP system, because it offers such affordability and convenience. No matter what type of package you are looking to get, VOIP offers it all. It is not only going to be a bargain for people who are dying to save money, but soon everyone will be using this new form of technology. |
How to Choose a VOIP Provider
VoIP
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| Technology has revolutionized communications and the way we live. VoIP has fast attained no 1 status in phone systems and both homes and businesses are choosing VoIP systems over traditional telephony.
The first step is to be convinced that VoIP will benefit you and once you have weighed all the pros and cons, the next step is to select a provider. Highly competitive, there are umpteen options and attractive schemes offered by providers big and small. It would be advantageous to read through comparisons of various calling plans. Find out aspects like price, service, quality, features and more. You have two options with VoIP. One you can choose to use a free service like Skype or SIPphone or two you can opt to use a provider service and pay a monthly charge. If you are considering VoIP as a way to stay in touch with family and friends then a free service would suffice. However if you intend to use VoIP as an alternative to the landline system and use it for home working or business purposes then a paid services would offer you are great bundle of VoIP services for just a small cost.
To make a provider choice sensibly you will need to have a reference point. Create a note on what VoIP services are essential for you. And use this list when you review various packages. Things like call waiting, forwarding, or conference calls are common to most packages what you need to focus on is something like does the cost per month allow free calls to Europe or Australia? This would be an important consideration if you call one of these frequently.
Factors that must influence your choice of provider are:
1. Will the provider allow you to select a Paris number even if you reside in California? And, will this be at no extra cost if yes, then your contacts in Paris can speak to you in California and no charge to you and it would cost them only the cost of a local call.
2. How reliable is provider x. Most promise the earth but do they actually come through? Make a survey read reviews, blogs, and complaints on the World Wide Web on VoIP providers. Too many negative reviews or unresolved disputes mean x is a bad choice. Be open-minded and weigh the good as well as bad.
3. Look for a money back guarantee this way you will not lose anything should the choice fail. Many providers are established and have a proven service record so they do offer a "money back" clause.
4. Check if they have technical support on call 24/7 and whether their equipment and services have good maintenance and upgrading routines.
5. At your end you need to check what you will need in terms of a net connection, computer, adapters, and other systems. Pay attention to the technical needs of installing a VoIP system and read through the literature provided by VoIP providers as well as the FAQs on their websites. |
8 Things I love about SunRocket VOIP Provider
VoIP
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| Small businesses and home working enterprises apart from families are reaping the benefits of VoIP which has made communications instant and affordable. The business of VoIP stays consumer oriented because of the many players and fierce competition. Every day new companies or subsidiaries are being floated and VoIP companies all try and retain and expand their slice of pie by staying one step ahead and wooing the consumers by offering better facilities as well as freebees.
SunRocket offers their services from USD 24.95 for a month to USD 199 for a whole year. According to ratings by voipreview, SunRocket has an overall rating of 4.0. The company provides excellent features and price; these have a rating of 5. Sound quality and reliability earn a rating of 4.0 while the only aspect lagging a bit behind at 3.0 is customer service.
Customers love SunRocket because:
1. They offer the best price which goes with great unbeatable features.
2. They send e-mails to notify you of messages while you are away.
3. SunRocket offers many more features than Vonage and the sound clarity is excellent.
4. While some do experience dropped calls when installed properly and all the equipment is in working order the problem of dropped calls disappears.
5. Installation instructions are easy to follow so most users find it easy to carry out the installation without help.
6. Customer service can be accessed in less than a minute and you are not connected to a recording but friendly and courteous human being. So you can get an answer to any query fairly quickly.
7. The company offers great freebies like a free VoIP phone or 3 months free subscription when you sign up for their annual plan. So, you may get great service for less than USD 17 per month. When subscribing or renewing you must check for offers. The company is known for its low prices.
8. It is possible to save at least USD 100 a month by subscribing to SunRocket, which means the savings will cover a nice evening out or help pay a few bills.
CNET editor's review graded SunRocket as very good, awarding the service 7.0 out of 10. The provider offers VoIP at affordable rates and a bouquet that includes two phone numbers, a dual handset phone system, E911 support, and online tech support.
As a consumer you must never go by what others say or think. Make your own choice by first determining what you want and then carrying out the exercise of making comparisons. Surf the World Wide Web and read what industry gurus say, reviews, blogs, forums and more. Find out all you can about SunRocket before subscribing.
Every system has glitches but if the right steps are taken and problems ironed out sensibly you can benefit from the wonderful service SunRocket provides as far as VoIP is concerned. |
VoIP Security
VoIP
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| VoIP security has been called in question recently, though there is little evidence to indicate that VoIP security is any less than conventional telephony systems.
VoIP voice data is transmitted via a packet-switched data network using IP. VoIP systems can carry a significant higher number of calls, and very much faster, than traditional PSTN networks due to compression of the voice packets, modern broadband technology and a number of other gateway developments which have reduced the previous packet delivery problems to an extent that the protocol is now a viable mainstream telephony solution to most business needs.
VoIP security should therefore be shown to be at least as effective as that of traditional telephone systems.
There is actually very little difference between VoIP security and that required for any other type of data transmission system. Look on it the same as you do your email system. The same as your office LAN if you have one. You probably have a system in operation whereby only authorized personnel can use certain aspects of the network. VoIP security can, and do, use the same techniques.
However, having said that, let's have a look at potential weak points in VoIP security that budding hackers may see as good points of attack.
IP PBX CALL MANAGEMENT BOXES
PBX stands for Private Branch Exchange, and is piece of software running on a server. It's function is to deal with all the switches and connections involved in the telephone system. These can be attacked by hackers or viruses which could compromise sensitive data. VoIP security systems are designed with this risk in mind.
PBX equipment should be placed behind firewalls, locked down and regularly monitored for unwarranted intrusions using intrusion-detection software. It is also possible to put the server in a different domain from the rest of the system, making it much more difficult for intruders to reach. PBX security is a basic aspect of VoIP security systems
GATEWAYS AND DATA PACKETS
The gateway's job is to convert voice to data packets, transmit them then receive and convert the packets back into voice. These are a potential VoIP security risk in that thy can be hacked into unless there is an access-control system in place to prevent unauthorized people from accessing the system. VoIP calls should only be permitted to specific people, and most good VoIP security systems allow only authorized user to operate VoIP systems under password control.
The data packets themselves can be hacked into using data-sniffing techniques. This can be a serious VoIP security risk and packet sniffers, as they are often called, capture binary data passing through your network and can reroute it to a computer on another network for decoding into a readable form. In order to do this, the 'sniffers' has to be on the same network wire as the packet is using to reach its destination. The problem in installing an effective VoIP security system is that there is usually a lot of information passing at any one time, and the hacker has a higher probability of getting useful information than from a conventional telephone system.
Encrypting VoIP traffic and routing it through a virtual private network would reduce the VoIP security risk, and most corporate systems have multiple encryption layers for external messages. Internal security could be improved by running internal VoIP messages through this corporate network. Small businesses should seek the advice of their supplier, or of a security expert if they feel that they may be subject to such attacks.
However, VoIP security advisors can point small to medium companies in the right direction. Corporate VoIP security is generally not so much problem in that it is normally contracted out to expert advisers.
In the final analysis, however, there are no real differences between VoIP security and the normal security concerns associated with any data network service, such as normal office internet and email LANs. The security firewalls and restricted access to use, common on these systems, should suffice to deal with VoIP security. |
VoIP - What's So Special About It?
VoIP
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| If you haven't heard about a new technology called VoIP, or Voice Over Internet Protocol, you're out of the loop! VoIP is just a technology that replaces your normal telephone. Instead of using your normal phone line, it uses your high-speed internet connection (DSL or cable).
But the big question is... should you hook up with this new technology like millions of people all around the world are?
Of course, you should make an informed decision before taking any action, so I'll list the features and benefits of VoIP below for you to read. You'll have to decide if the reasons below are enough to make you switch.
- Money. The price of VoIP is usually considerably less than regular telephone subscription rates. Most of the time, VoIP services give you some or unlimited free international and long distance calls. So you could call someone in China for the same price as someone down the road! Note, however, that if you don't use the phone that much and do mainly local calls, it may be cheaper to stay with your regular phone service!
- Special features. VoIP, many times, comes with neat features that normal phone services simply don't have! For example, some come with conference calling, free caller-ID, on-hold background music, free voicemail, and many more things.
- Works with PC and Mac. If you're at your computer and you want to make a phone call, no problem! You can call from the computer with special software that allows you to share documents, messages, and videos (video chatting) with people that have VoIP too.
Watch for additional bonuses, perks, and services. Don't forget that each VoIP company and each VoIP plan is different. Some companies provide proprietary services and even some bonuses. Be sure to look at all your options before you decide to sign up!
So, what do you think of VoIP so far? If you think that VoIP is right for you and could save you money, there's no reason to decide not to sign up. Often companies will provide a 30-day money-back guarantee (sometimes longer). If you don't like it, simply cancel and ask for your money back! |
VoIP for your Business
VoIP
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| An increasing number of home users and small businesses are using VoIP. But is it right for your business? What can be your gains? Is it better than the traditional phone service and if it is, exactly how? You need to consider these things before deciding whether you need VoIP or not.
But before you make a decision you must know that many businesses have already preferred VoIP over the traditional system and many others are in the process of shifting. Such businesses have opted for the additional services and the money saving deals that a VoIP service offers. Also, since VoIP is just coming in, the technology and the offers can only improve.
If you are considering VoIP for your business you must know that there are two ways in which it can be done.
It is through LAN that IP telephony works and this methodology makes it easy and cheap to communicate within an organization. Voice transmissions between people connected within a network is also possible through this technology.
The other option is the use of WAN or a Wide Area Network. The Internet can be used to transmit to anywhere in the world. Now WAN can be of two types - a public WAN and a private WAN. A private network naturally provides more security.
How to select VoIP for Business
The biggest advantage in using VoIP is in cost saving. When you are making a call overseas, the costs can be really astronomical - and if you have to keep making them for your business, then you had it. However if you are using VoIP, the cost of calls can be reduced drastically since there are no taxes for Internet calls. IP based voice technology can thus make toll calls history and thereby reduce expenditures. Add-on, moves and changes to the system make it more attractive.
Not only does VoIP allow all functionalities of the traditional service but since it is a standard, open protocol, companies are able to create their own audio or purchase applications from software developers.
Not only is VoIP cheap to start with, but with increasing business the phone system can also be expanded and this too will cost less. VoIP is dynamic and can adjust to changes quickly. Since VoIP is easy and convenient, employees can be trained to use the system and they can start using the various features almost immediately.
However if your Internet connection is not stable, that is it tends to drop off at times, then your VoIP is also likely to be affected. So it is important to select a company for stable connectivity as well for VoIP telephony.
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Business VOIP
VoIP
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| Business VOIP offers advantages over regular telephone service that allow business more freedom and savings than ever before. Today's technology driven society predicts that if you do not have business VOIP, you will soon. However, before you jump on the business VOIP bandwagon, you should know what business VOIP is and how it can benefit your business.
Many business owners use some amount of technology every day, but sometimes find themselves unwilling to try new technological advances due to a lack of understanding or an overwhelming amount of complication associated with certain technologies. However, business VOIP is a relatively simple technology to obtain and use that allows you more versatility in your phone uses while saving you money.
Business VOIP may seem like a very foreign term to your business. The "VOIP" in business VOIP stands for Voice Over Internet Protocol. That may sound technical, but really it just means that you will be able to use telephone services over your internet connection rather than your traditional phone lines. How does this benefit your business? Free long distance is one way your company can save money with business VOIP.
Business VOIP allows you to call anywhere in the world using your internet connection. This means that there will be no additional long-distance charges when you use business VOIP. Besides savings on long-distance, you will also be able to avoid those other costs tacked onto your regular phone bill like taxes, tariffs, and other mysterious charges. In some cases, companies already using business VOIP have reported savings up to 60 percent over their traditional phone bills.
However, the financial savings associated with business VOIP is not the only reason to change to this more technologically advanced phone system. The potential services
available through business VOIP will also offer your business flexibility and communications potential that will enhance your continued efforts at growing your organization. For instance, there is technology available for your business VOIP system that will allow your computer to communicate with others via the phone, and business VOIP also opens doors to conferencing via tele-video. Imagine being able to see the person you are speaking to in real time video or being able to present a product in real time.
Another great aspect of business VOIP is that it allows you to enhance your advertising potential immediately via message on hold. Through a simple .wav or .mp3 file, you can take an audio file and turn it into an advertisement your clientele can hear via your telephone. Taking the advancement of the telephone and adding in a new kind of communication potential makes business VOIP a must for most businesses.
The-VoIP.NET VoIP Information |
Getting Connected to VOIP in Ten Easy Steps
VoIP
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| Here are ten easy steps for going wireless with VoIP.
1. You will need an updated computer.
First you will need to have an upgraded computer that is compatible with VoIP software. When you are comparing and choosing service providers, take special note to see if they run their programs on Windows, Linux, or MAC OS. If you use Mac or Linux, don't assume that all VoIP providers will have your needs in mind. Technology advances everyday, and this includes processor speeds, hardware, motherboards, memory, and video and graphic cards. If you have a "dinosaur" of a computer, there is little chance that VoIP will work with your outdated system. You can check with the company's requirements regarding their standards for your computer.
2. You must have High Speed Internet access such as DSL, or Cable
It is required that you have High Speed Internet before purchasing VoIP services. There are a handful of companies that will work with dial up connections, but the standard choice is High Speed Internet. High Speed Internet connections allow for the bandwidth needed as well as produce a higher quality audio sound. When it comes to transmitting data, audio, and video files, nothing beats High Speed. You will soon discover the benefits to having a High-speed Internet connection, and then you will ask your self why you didn't go with them sooner.
3. Evaluate your Needs
You must decide why you want to switch to VoIP. A good idea is to make a list and write down your reasons for wanting VoIP over PSTN landline phones. If you are a residential homeowner and are fed up with paying high fees for local and long distance, then by all means, write that down. If you are looking for small business solutions and want to incorporate all of your data, audio, and video needs, then add that to your list. By composing a list, you can clearly see what your needs are and what service is best suited for you.
4. Choose between Residential, Business, or both
Many people opt to keep their business needs on PSTN, while testing VoIP in their residences. Not soon afterwards, they come to realize the potential benefits for their businesses as well. If you have a home office, some service providers will have a plan based on your needs as well. Some of the differences between residential and business plans include faxing and email capabilities, more long distance on "basic" and not "unlimited" plans, and some companies even throw in amenities such as free yellow book advertising. Again, writing a
list down of what you want in a VoIP service will help you better determine what your telecommunication needs are.
5. Compare Service Providers
Now it is time to compare various service providers. There are many sites on the Internet that will let you review and compare different plans. Also, word of mouth is always a great form of advertising. If you have friends and relatives who have switched to VoIP, find out from them how they like their service provider, and also inquire about any providers that they may have had a negative experience with.
6. Select the plan that is Right for You
Now that your list is complete and you have compared service plans, it is time to decide on a service provider. Choose the provider that you feel best meets your needs stated on your list. You will also have the choice of purchasing monthly or yearly contracts, so know which option is best for you ahead of time.
7. Purchase an Adapter for your telephones if your Service does not provide you with one
If you don't want to sit at your computer for every phone call, you will need a phone adapter. This adapter will allow you to use your household phones to take VoIP calls. Some providers include an adapter with their services- others may not. Make sure you find out if you will need to purchase an adapter.
8. Choose your Area Code and Phone Number
Many providers will give you the opportunity of selecting your own area code and phone number. This is great for those who have family and friends in a specific area, and who would like to save them money on their long distance bills. It is also an effective marketing tool for businesses that are targeting a specific region.
9. Configure your Phone's features
Your phone will come with a variety of features. You may configure them through an Internet control panel. This allows greater freedom to many. You will typically set up your voicemail, call block numbers, and other features the same as you would on your cell phone.
10. Spread the Word
Now that you are enjoying your new VoIP service, spread the word and let others know how they too can save money.
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VOIP Not Just For Residential Use
VoIP
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| VOIP, Not Only for Residential Use
You probably heard about the emerging new technology VOIP which is short for Voice Over Internet Protocol. VOIP is a fantastic technology that has been growing for a few years but recently has exploded in popularity.
VOIP is a technology for people with a broad band internet connection that allows them to make phone calls over the internet. There is no need for a land line or a traditional telephone. Many residential customers have signed up for VOIP adapters that enable you to make and receive calls using their traditional phones, making VOIP a seamless integration of internet and phone. However, if you thought VOIP is just for residential customers, happily you are wrong.
Today more businesses are turning to VOIP solutions to replace their traditional land line phones and the expensive prices
that accompany them. For businesses of all sizes from large to small, VOIP is now an option. Not only do you save an extreme amount of money on your monthly bill, but you can easily integrate VOIP with other computer applications and services that you provide. There are many VOIP services that are now catering directly to the business VOIP market.
In the years to come, many businesses will be switching part of, or all of their telephone needs to VOIP networks and will be reaping a true return on their investments.
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Making the Switch
VoIP
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| Customers have been using PSTN telephones for over 100 years. Based on Circuit Switching, many people just aren’t ready to make a change. It is the story of American history. Certain people refused to buy televisions, thriving on their Old Time Radio broadcasts, they never tried Cable television, and their homes are still without computers. Yet time goes on and with it, technology advances. Email has replaced the majority of letter writing, and now advancement has come to the standard landline telephone system.
Many people are embracing the new technology that VoIP has initiated and the many benefits that VoIP offers to everyday consumers. It is said that the Government has an estimated $65 billion dollars proposed for the year 2006 for VoIP migration. So, if VoIP is good enough for Uncle Sam, it must be good for you, right?
Well, there are many companies that are providing VoIP services and each plan varies, but overall, consumers are making the switch and asking themselves why they didn’t make the switch sooner. For residential, home businesses, small and medium sized offices, and even business-to-business transactions VoIP is proving to be the best method for telecommunications.
First, VoIP is cost effective. Most plans include unlimited local and long distance calling and currently, VoIP is not subject to the same taxations as applied to PSTN networks. Small businesses are currently taking advantage of the ability to have multi phones networked and integrated with their computer systems and applications. This saves on overall fees and increases productivity. Business-to Business systems are embracing VoIP technology as they switch to this infrastructure for their virtual call centers that can handle customer service needs worldwide, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. With many companies choosing to outsource, VoIP provides the technology needed for overseas employees as well as creating more jobs for home workers. Many major corporations and companies have already made the switch to VoIP.
Second, residential homeowners are opting for VoIP as they advance with their computer skills. Computers are appearing in more American homes every day, and many people are already switching from slow dial up connections to blazing fast high-speed connections. Once they become familiar with the advantages broadband connections have, they may experience some basic VoIP for free. Instant messaging services now include free VoIP calls from one user to another and this opens the doorway for residential customers to experience VoIP technology. Yahoo Messenger has now added their new Messenger with Voice, where callers can experience VoIP from user to user.
Many people have used the early stages of VoIP over the past decade for free on the Internet so many computer users who have experienced the technology have already made the switch.
For those who are new to the computer, commercials such as Vonage are helping to introduce them to VoIP technology and its advantages. Many people do prefer to switch because of the cost effectiveness, but for others, there are more reasons as well.
For small businesses, VoIP offers a host of features and services that are not available with PSTN. Things such as integrating fax, voice, and data can bring potential increase and productivity.
The quality of VoIP is very good as well and there is a lot of flexibility for users. One very substantial fact is that VoIP subscribers can take their phone number with them. The world is moving wireless, and with wireless networks and laptop computers, the ability to bring your phone number anywhere you have a High Speed Internet connection has amazing benefits.
For those who travel frequently with work, they can continue to be productive in their field. This has new potential to those in sales and other mobile employees. The overall cost for companies is down and communication is enhanced.
When it comes to features, VoIP offers many and they are frequently bundled in with your service package. Voice mail is not limited to your phone, but is typically accessible through the Internet with a control panel, as well as being downloaded to your email account. This is just one example of how VoIP integrates with other programs for greater productivity.
Now that you have a thorough understanding of the benefits of VoIP, I am sure that you will make the switch as well.
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Benefits of VoIP That Will Blow Your Mind
VoIP
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| You would probably have heard of VoIP, unless you've been living on some other planet. Even if you've never really understood what the hype was all about, VoIP (which by the way, stands for Voice over Internet Protocol) will change the way you think about long distance telephone calls.
VoIP actually means that all that sounds you hear on the regular telephone (analog audio signals) are turned into a digital signal, which is then transmitted through the Internet.
So again you ask, why is this VoIP changing the industry? It means that you can totally go around your telephone company and start making long distance calls at no charge. All you have to do is get some of the free software that's available all over the Internet right now.
And here's the best part: this new technology can revolutionize the telephone system in the whole world. You might have seen the tv commercials from one of the forerunners of VoIP called Vonage. Vonage calls itself the 'broadband telephone company' and provides attractive services to its customers. These include low-cost 800 numbers and very low international rates. Fees from the US to Canada are also waived.
However, Vonage isn't the only company who is the game. AT&T is providing VoIP calling in some places in the US. There are also other major companies, including Skype, which is going all out with its viral advertising.
At the moment, most VoIP service providers offer plans somewhat similar to cell phone companies called 'minute-rate' plans for as low as $30 a month. And just like the cell phone plans, you can also opt for unlimited plans for around $79 a month. Without ever having to pay for long distance charges, unregulated charges and all the free services that come standard with your VoIP service, you can save a great amount of money.
Previously, you might be paying for services such as call waiting, three way calling, call forwarding, caller ID, repeat dial and last call return. With VoIP, you no longer need to pay as these come standard with your service. Plus, there are some advanced features that would make VoIP worth looking into. With some providers, you can opt for call filtering options and even have control over how calls are handled according to their numbers. For example, you could forward your call to a certain number, send the call to voicemail, give a busy signal, play a 'not in service' message, or even send the caller to a funny rejection hotline.
Some VoIP services also allow you to check your voicemail on the Internet or even attach messages to an email that is sent to you. Remember though, not all plans and features are the same for all VoIP providers. You should look around for one that best suits your needs.
The other benefit that makes VoIP a very attractive alternative for home and business users is its flexibility. With VoIP, you can make calls from any location that you can get broadband connectivity. As ATAs (Analog Telephone Adaptor) and IP phones transmit information over the Internet, they can be done by any provider. For travelers on business trips, this means that they never miss a home phone call, since they can take their ATA with them wherever their destination might be. Also, by using a 'softphone' or a software which enables you to load your VoIP service onto your laptop or even desktop, you can easily make calls anywhere, provided you have broadband services, a headset and a microphone.
IP telephony is the way of the future. It makes sense in terms of ROI, from both the infrastructure and economic point of view. It will not be overnight, but in time all of the current circuit switched networks in place today will be taken over by packet switching technology, in other word, VoIP. A majority of businesses are already using VoIP, and as the technology makes a presence into our lives, it will become more popular. Forrester Research predicts that by the end of 2006, nearly 5 million US households will have VoIP phone service.
In a nutshell, VoIP is just a better phone service, but it's one that's here to stay.
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VoIP Virtual Numbers
VoIP
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| Virtual numbers enable one to establish a presence in numerous locations across the nation. You can thus have virtual numbers having area codes of various locations, and get the calls routed from these numbers to your regular cell phone or residence number.
Virtual numbers come in handy for businesses that want to establish their presence in various locations. If you own a business you can acquire virtual numbers having area codes of most major cities and associate them with your official number. You can thus attract customers and prospects from these regions. Their calls will be routed to you. Furthermore, they will only be charged local call rates even if you are located cities apart. Your location will be transparent. You can thus seem to be operating from these cities. You can publish your contact info pertaining to various cities, with each city information having its own phone number.
Virtual numbers are mostly provided by VoIP service providers. Since these service providers utilize Internet technology to route phone calls, long distant call rates are avoided. Callers to virtual numbers are not charged any long distant calls even if the recipients are located very far away.
This info has been published by AccessDirect, a leading service provider of Hosted VoIP PBX. Our phone systems come with voice mail, fax mail, automated attendant, and follow me call forwarding. We also provide local phone numbers and toll free numbers. Visit us at www.messagingservice.com.
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The Layman's Guide to Making Free Online Calls with VoIP
VoIP
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| So you've heard the news: a new technology is around that lets you make phone calls, even long-distance phone calls, for free! You'd like to try it, but it sounds rather complicated. What is this VoIP, anyway? Here's a quick question-and-answer guide to VoIP and how you can make free online calls without reading tons of technical jargon.
What is VoIP? VoIP means Voice over Internet Protocol. In plain English, it means that in exactly the same way you use the Internet to send letters through email, you can now send your voice through VoIP, to make free phone calls to anywhere in the world.
How does it work? 1. You talk through your computer microphone or your VoIP phone. 2. Your voice is turned into computer data. 3. It is sent through the Internet (like email) to your VoIP service provider. 4. They send it to the phone number you are calling so your friend can receive your call. 5. When your friend talks on his phone, his voice reaches you the same way, but in reverse: from his phone, to your service provider, to your Internet, to your phone or computer.
How is the sound quality different from a regular phone? With good Internet connection, your friend won't know the difference. If your connection is slow, you will sound like you are calling from a cellphone with bad signal. Most companies will not install VoIP for dial-up connections.
What is a VoIP service provider? A VoIP service provider is like a phone company that connects your VoIP phone to your friend's landline.
What is a VoIP phone? It looks like a regular phone, but it has a software and modem installed so you can connect to the Internet and make VoIP calls without having to turn on your computer. You dial it like a regular phone, and if somebody calls your VoIP number, it rings like a regular phone.
Are the phone calls really free? Yes, if you download and install on your computer a VoIP software, like Skype. This will let you make free calls to anyone in the world who has the same software loaded in his or her computer.
You can also use Skype or other VoIP service providers to call a local or long-distance landline number or mobile phone. There will be a small charge, but it is still much cheaper than if you use a regular phone to make your call. In addition, pay features on regular phones-like call waiting, call forwarding, call barring, conference calls, caller ID and voice mail-are usually free on VoIP.
Rates and features vary with different service providers so be sure to ask your company what they offer.
Can I call my friends even if they don't have VoIP? Yes.
And can my friends call me? Yes. Your friends can call your VoIP number in the same way they call a regular landline. You won't be charged for incoming calls. Your friends will be charged for their call in the same way that they will be charged for calling a regular landline.
Can I keep my old phone number? Yes, depending on your VoIP service provider. Sometimes, you can even bring your VoIP phone-along with your phone number - to anywhere that has a high-speed Internet connection.
Some providers also allow you to get a phone number with a different area code. You could be in California but have a New York area code so that your business clients in New York can call you without long-distance charges. (However, if your next-door neighbor calls you, it will be long-distance for her.)
Can I get rid of my regular phone line? Usually, yes. Again, it depends on your VoIP service provider.
An important note, though: 911 calls made through VoIP are unreliable. Also, they will not be able to track your location automatically, as when you are using a regular phone. If you get rid of your phone line, consider using your cellphone instead of your VoIP to call 911.
So, what do I need to use VoIP? * A high-speed Internet connection. This means DSL or cable, NOT dial-up. * A regular phone with VoIP adaptor OR a VoIP phone OR a computer with a microphone and earpiece. * A VoIP service provider.
Can I use VoIP without an Internet connection? No.
Can I use my computer while talking on the VoIP phone? Absolutely, although using the Internet for other purposes while using VoIP may affect the quality of your call.
Can I use VoIP without a computer? Yes, if you have a VoIP phone and your Internet is active.
Can I use VoIP without a VoIP phone line? Yes, if you have a computer with a VoIP program, a microphone and earpiece.
Will it work in a power outage? Unfortunately, no.
How do I know if VoIP is for me? VoIP is a great money-saving option for people who are always on the Internet, and VoIP is a great money-saving option for people who have a high-speed connection.
VoIP is a great money-saving option for people who often make calls to long-distance, international, or mobile numbers.
VoIP is a great money-saving option for people who move around the country, and VoIP is a great money-saving option for people who would like to take their landline number with them wherever they go.
VoIP is a great money-saving option for people who need to have an area code in another locality.
How do I find a VoIP service provider? For VoIP calls using your computer, you can simply download a VoIP program like Skype or Vonage from the Internet.
To find a service provider for VoIP phones, simply type "VoIP" and the name of your country in the search bar of your favorite Internet search engine.
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Using Your High Speed Internet Connection As A Voip Phone Service
VoIP
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| Voice over IP is a new technology which lets you have a conversation over the internet with someone else without actually using a traditional telephone line. This is possible by combining both the right type of equipment and service provider.
VoIP is also known as Internet protocol telephony (IP Telephony). This technology works by converting regular sound waves such as your voice (which is analog) into digital signals which in term can be compressed and sent over the internet to its destination, in this case the person you are talking to. The person on the other end percieves the re-converted signals from digital to analog. Such conversion is done via modems (Modem stands for Modulate/Demodulate) thats why a high speed internet connection is often required, if its not, then lags and delays may be noticed during the conversation.
As it is with technologies which develop rapidly (VoIP), it is imperative for you to know what this technology is about as well as the latest changes and updates concerning it. Being familiar with these details become useful when making a decision to what phone equipment and VoIP provider to select.
A VoIP service has a range of options that depends on what kind of service and equipment you choose. Among these are:
(1) being able to call only people who use the same service provider (2) calling long distance, even international numbers and mobile phones (3) calling from a computer using a microphone or VoIP telephone (4) using a traditional phone that is connected to a device called an ATA (analog telephone adaptor).
Required Equipment Since you need access to the Internet, it is obvious that securing an internet connection is required (High speed preferred). Other equipment you will need depends on the kind of VoIP service you avail of. It can be as simple as a microphone and speaker set to a VoIP-enabled telephone set. In some circumpstances, an ATA may be necessary as well.
Making calls for free It is actually possible for you to take advantage of the VoIP benefits and not pay a dime for the service!. The most famous and widely known piece of software which lets you do this is called Skype. Users who have installed the software on their computers can make calls to people who have the same program installed in their systems. It is also possible to calls landlines and mobile phones but a fee is charged for that.
Of course the limitation lies in the fact that if the person you wish to call does not have Skype on their computer , you won't be able to make that free call. Nevertheless, this option is widely popular among people who wish to try out the technology without having to pay a subscription fee for it.
Whether you choose a free service such as PC to PC calling with Skype or subscribe to a service provider using a provider such as Vonage, touching base with someone in the neighborhood or across the globe has become not only easier but cheaper as well. All you need is to know what you want and the amount of money you're willing to invest to avail of it - there is bound to be service that will address your requirements. Once that is settled, it's just a matter of reaching out and touching someone.
www.the-voip.net for more information. The-VoIP.net |
VoIP Internet Phone Service "Boom" Means Savings for Consumers
VoIP
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| The summer of 2006 has been a competitive time for VoIP providers, as they battle for new subscribers within this hot new market that's starting to catch on like wildfire. Although VoIP internet phone service has been popular in Asian and European markets for a while now, internet phone service is really starting to take off in the U.S., and we're starting to see some interesting things happening in the world of telecommunications. This is great news for us consumers, because prices on telecommunications services are dropping and providers are adding more free services and features.
As more and more consumers think about disconnecting their land line phone service in favor of cheaper internet phone service, other telecommunications service providers have changed their strategies in order to either hold onto market share or gain new subscribers. VoIP service is so unbelievably cheap however, that most thrifty shoppers with broadband internet connections will ultimately choose internet phone service over anything else.
Cable television companies have started partnering with VoIP providers in an effort to re-sell unlimited local and long distance service under the fancy new name "digital phone service". In order to capture their share of the internet phone service market, they're selling re-branded VoIP service to current television subscribers at a minimum 100% markup, which is still less than traditional "land line" phone service. "Digital phone service" can cost between $40 and $60 per month for unlimited local and long distance calling.
Traditional "land line" phone companies are rapidly losing their customer base to VoIP service, and have now started offering unlimited long distance plans at deeply discounted rates in an effort to hang on to the customers they still have. Unlimited long distance plans normally cost between $30 - $50 per month, in addition to the monthly cost for "basic service".
Cell phone companies are trying their best to convince customers that they don't need traditional phone service or internet phone service, and that cellular phone service will meet all their needs. In an effort to make cell phone service seem cost-effective, providers now offer "family plans", "rollover minutes, "circle of friends" unlimited calling plans, "unlimited nights and weekends", and other similar features designed to make cellular the "service of choice" for consumers. Cell phone service plans vary, depending on the amount of minutes you need each month. The average consumer using cellular as their only telephone requires a lot of monthly minutes, which can easily cost between $60 - $200, depending on calling habits.
VoIP internet phone service costs between $17 and $25 per month for unlimited local and long distance service, depending on the provider and plan chosen. This is way below the cost of even the cheapest "digital phone service", cellular service, or phone company "unlimited long distance" plan. All that's required for VoIP is a broadband internet connection, which is becoming very commonplace. Internet phone service is easy to install, works just like a regular telephone, and comes with tons of free calling features (like voicemail, call waiting, caller id, etc...), that most phone companies charge extra for.
If you're considering switching to internet phone service, the hardest part is deciding which VoIP provider to use. Phone service is an important part of our daily lives, and it's important to choose a VoIP company that has a reputation for high quality service. In my opinion, the best internet phone service providers for residential use are Vonage, Packet8, and Sunrocket. All three are well known, large, stable companies with a good reputation for quality and excellent customer service. If you limit your choices to these VoIP providers, all you need to do is find the internet phone service plan and price that is right for you.
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The Pros And Cons Of VoIP Protocol
VoIP
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| Which VoIP System Makes Sense?
Well, the starting point in discussing the pros and cons of VoIP protocol is cost! Switching to VoIP and using it as your primary phone system can save you between 30 and 50 percent or more on your monthly phone bill over your conventional PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) system! This is significant for all of us who are disenchanted with our local phone companies and all of their mysterious charges that simply drain our pocketbooks!
We as consumers now have choices of VoIP carriers that offer top services as well as very low costs for unlimited calling with all of the included bells and whistles that you can imagine, like carrler ID, Call waiting, call forwarding, voice mail and more that we are used to.
The list of pros is long for the use of a VoIP system, so let us keep going! With VoIP you can also port (keep your number and move it to your VoIP company) your present phone number. Your voice mail messages are also sent to your e-mail and you can listen to those messages no matter where you are in the world by logging into your e-mail account. There are also VoIP carriers who specialize internet connections all over the world for the travelers among us who need to stay connected while at the airport or other locations away from home. Video mail is also a new feature that is available through many VoIP carriers. So, now you can see your callers!
Clarity is another big plus! Clarity has improved very much over the past several years and a VoIP call is now several times clearer than a conventional phone! You will be very pleased that it sounds like your caller is standing right in front of you. Of course you can call any type of phone system in the world from your VoIP system or vice-versa. Now let us say that you live in California and some of your loved ones live in Pennsylvania.... no problem for VoIP! You can sign up in California for a new number with the same area code as your loved ones have in Pennsylvania and they can now call you as often as they want as if it was a local call for them! I think that you are starting to see that VoIP is great and the possibilities to be creative and save money are great!
Now, let us look at some of the "cons" of VoIP. Don't worry this list is short! There is a 911(Emergency Call) controversy going on, but 911 is available with all VoIP companies, but with some you might have to give your address for now.
With VoIP you need to have a High Speed internet connection and the reliability of your VoIP system will follow the reliability of your High Speed service provider. You need to choose wisely here! VoIP is here to stay and will only continue to improve!
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What Makes A Voip Phone System Work?
VoIP
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| What is VoIP Protocol?
The phone services offered by your local phone companies use circuit-switching technologies. In basic terms a copper wire is used to complete a circuit and to connect two people talking on the phone. A VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) phone system works by the use of packet-switching technology. Packet8 is a VoIP company that takes its' name from this packet technology.
This VoIP protocol technology does not use a copper wire to complete a circuit, but instead the voice signals are broken down into tiny "packets" of digital data and then are sent over the internet and reassembled on the other end and a crystal clear voice message can be heard just like we are used to, but the cost to you to do this is at least 50% less than what your regular phone company will charge you!
There are many companies that are now on the cutting edge of this technology. They all offer packages with call waiting, call conferencing, caller ID, and much more at no additional costs. One company offers you a basic free service to use VoIP from computer to computer worldwide and another company offers VoIP services when you travel! All bases, so to speak, of your VoIP needs are now covered in the VoIP marketplace!
To make the switch from the old (or analog) phone system to the new VoIP (or digital) phone system is a snap! Don't let this new technology scare you off! All you need to do is have a broadband internet connection (DSL or Cable) and the correct hardware as provided by the particular VoIP carrier that you choose. All VoIP providers offer easy ways to make the switch including keeping your present number. The hardware needed is usually a phone adapter and a router that you plug into your computer and regular phone.
Your VoIP phone company will supply you with the needed hardware and tell you which plugs go where. It takes a few minutes to plug in the plugs! Before you know it you will be making calls at a 50% savings over your old phone service with unbelievable clarity!
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Common Questions Associated With VoIP
VoIP
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| Having been immensley popular, the emergence of VoIP has proved to be a great new communication tool with many advantages over traditional phone calling. The rapid expansion of this new technology has also inevitably led to various associated problems, some of which have been answered here!
How does VoIP work?
Computers take samples of sounds via microphones at a very high rate (8,000 times per second or more). These recorded samples are not stored locally, but are sent over the network to another computer and played there, so that the receiver can hear them. Computers often compress the sound samples so as to occupy less space. Limited frequency ranges are used. CODEC's (compressor/ de-compressor) are algorithms that enable audio to be compressed. A huge variety of CODEC's exist for all sorts of applications (e.g. sound recordings or movies). VoIP CODEC's are fine tuned to work well for compressing voice. Bandwidths only include those sound frequencies associated with human voices. So, when the sounds are recorded in the computer, then compressed to tiny samples, these are then aggregated into larger chunks/ collections and placed into data packets (known as 'packetization'). Data packets are able to be transmitted all over the IP network. Typically, single IP packets have 10,000 milliseconds+ of audio. Sometimes packets get lost. In this case packet-loss concealment (PLC) can take place. PLC involves filling in the sound gaps with noise acceptable to the human ear. Forward-error connection (FEC) fills in the gaps with then mathematically modified neighboring past packets. A kind of rough packet reconstruction. Occasionally packets are delayed, especially bad when using VoIP since packets that are too old are discarded. PLC tends to smooth the audio out in such circumstances. Variation in packet delay is called 'jitter'. Jitter makes voices sound glitchy, it is combated with specific jitter buffer algorithms. What effectively happens here is packets are queued to reduce the number discarded, late or delayed. An agreed protocol exists to allow computers to find each other and exchange information. Agreed contents formats (termed 'payload format') exist for the packets.
Is a computer necessary in order to use VoIP?
A computer isn't required when using VoIP services centered around mobile phones. Adapters, which are often supplied by mobile phone VoIP providers, connect phones to the high-speed connections of the internet. Computers are able to be used to allow improved management of various features available from the provider, although this is not necessary.
What is the relation of computer software use in conjunction with VoIP?
Computer-to-computer calls are the easiest and cheapest of the VoIP calling methods. Calling plans are not required since this type of call is totally free. All that is required is the free software from the internet, a reasonable connection with the internet, speakers, a microphone and a sound card. Apart from the bill for the use of the monthly internet service no other call charges exist, regardless of call number.
Is it possible to mix hardware from different VoIP providers?
Typically the major providers of VoIP (AT&T, Verizon Voicewing and Vonage) "lock" their hardware, ensuring it only works with their own particular services. In some deals the service providers end up leasing the equipment to you and are able to refund a certain degree or all of, the set-up fee when you decide to terminate the service with them. Alternatively, you can buy all the hardware required from a retail store, which can then be used on any VoIP service. Services that promote VoIP for running on your computer, e.g. Yahoo Messenger and Skype, don't need any specific hardware. Many of these VoIP services can be run from the exact same machine, albeit not at the same moment in time.
I have ADSL. What should my internet connection speed be to allow VoIP?
Generally you should have a 512/128 connection speed or higher.
What are the advantages to using VoIP over conventional phone calling?
By far and away the greatest benefit to using VoIP services is that they tend to be cheaper than traditional phone services. In some circumstances they are even free. Additionally, not too much equipment is required and upgrades that are eventually necessary are typically done with no new physical equipment, only simple and easy to use software downloads. Many more features tend to be possible for VoIP, this being due to the ease with which information is transported about via the internet.
What is the quality of VoIP calls like?
In most instances the quality appears to be very good. Small problems sometimes occur then there is an excess of incoming and outgoing internet traffic along the phone lines. Poor quality on the phone lines can be improved through paying to increase the connection speed or prioritizing phone traffic through your network via setting up the 'Quality of Service' option.
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