| So what do you need in the way of VOIP | | | | speed of the Internet connection that it uses. If |
| equipment? The answer is not too much. An | | | | your Internet service or electricity goes down for |
| essential part of VOIP system is a broadband | | | | any reason, so does your telephone service. A |
| connection, which we call a high speed internet | | | | major shortcoming with this system-you will be |
| connection. This is required for anyone who is | | | | unable to communicate with anyone if this |
| using or wanting to use a VOIP system in their | | | | happens. |
| home or office. The connection can be found | | | | There is a way to avoid this problem by having a |
| through a cable modem, or a high speed service | | | | battery back up similar to an uninterruptible power |
| such as DSL. | | | | supply, or you can set up your VOIP system in |
| You can either hook a phone up to your personal | | | | advance to automatically send all telephone calls |
| computer or you can connect a phone through | | | | to your cell phone in the event of a power failure. |
| the telephone adaptor. The telephone adapter is | | | | It may be necessary to keep your traditional |
| about the size of a wallet and is the go between | | | | analog voice line (your old fashion telephone that |
| connecting the telephone and the computer. It can | | | | you currently have) or a cell phone just in case |
| turn the analog signal from the telephone into | | | | you need to make a telephone call during an |
| digital data that can be sent over the Internet. | | | | emergency. |
| One of the advantages is that digital phone offers | | | | The VOIP equipment is basically the telephone, |
| many additional features that a traditional phone is | | | | telephone adapter, phone jack, DSL or cable |
| not equipped to offer. If you have a broadband | | | | modem and your computer. You probably have |
| internet connection, there is no need to pay the | | | | most of these items in your home already and it |
| additional cost for another telephone line just to | | | | will not take too much effort or cost on your |
| make phone calls. | | | | part to make the switch to VOIP. |
| A second advantage is that you can talk to | | | | The bottom line is whether or not you want this |
| people around the world for as long as you want | | | | new technology in your home and whether or not |
| if they have an Internet connection. Also you can | | | | you need it. If you are a real computer person |
| talk with multiple people at the same time without | | | | and want to have the latest and greatest |
| any additional cost. Lastly, a third advantage to | | | | technology at your fingertips, the VOIP equipment |
| switching to a VOIP provider is it may significantly | | | | will get your started. All you have to do is find a |
| decrease the cost of your monthly telephone bill. | | | | service provider and to get the extra equipment |
| The overall quality and reliability of your VOIP | | | | needed to connect yourself and to start talking |
| equipment and telephone communications are | | | | over the internet. |
| completely reliant upon the quality, reliability and | | | | |