| The first steps in accepting VoIP technology as | | | | International calling, the monetary savings to the |
| tomorrow's communications infrastructure is | | | | consumer from switching to this technology can |
| ultimately understanding exactly what VoIP is, | | | | be enormous. |
| what your choices there are, how you may | | | | There are three methods of connecting to a VoIP |
| benefit from your selection, plus, how to select | | | | network: |
| the best provider. | | | | -Using a VoIP telephone |
| There is no question that VoIP is the next great | | | | -Using a "normal" telephone with a VoIP adapter |
| revolution in voice communications. After | | | | -Using a computer with speakers and a |
| reviewing the advantages, its clear that the | | | | microphone |
| expense of switching to VoIP is low compared to | | | | Calls from a VoIP device to a PSTN device are |
| the savings it can bring. | | | | commonly called "PC-to-Phone" calls, even though |
| Getting started with VoIP is often simple. Yes, it | | | | the VoIP device may not be a PC. |
| can provide cheaper calling, but the real value of | | | | Calls from a VoIP device to another VoIP device |
| VoIP is that it opens up the ability to add new | | | | are commonly called "PC-to-PC" calls, even though |
| and useful applications to voice | | | | neither device may be a PC. |
| communications.The major advantage is the | | | | Like many new technologies, it has started its |
| cheaper price. | | | | economic life by reproducing familiar services and |
| VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is simply the | | | | features from the established products it is trying |
| transmission of voice traffic over IP-based | | | | to replace; in this regard, VoIP providers promote |
| networks. VoIP has become popular largely | | | | PBXs, call routing, automated voice response, and |
| because of the cost advantages to consumers | | | | other things businesses are used to looking for. |
| over traditional telephone networks. | | | | More and more businesses today receive their |
| Telephone calls now can be placed either to other | | | | telephone service through the Internet instead of |
| VoIP devices, or to normal telephones on the | | | | from the local telephone company lines. The |
| PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network). | | | | primary reason for switching to VoIP is cost, as it |
| VoIP technology, by its very nature, is more | | | | equalizes the costs of long distance calls, local calls, |
| flexible and extensible than traditional voice | | | | and e-mails to fractions of a penny per use. But |
| transmission technologies due to its distribution | | | | the real enterprise turn-on is how it empowers |
| and architecture. VoIP may seem complicated at | | | | businesses to mold and customize telecom and |
| first glance, but the concept is simple: Any form | | | | datacom solutions using a single, cohesive |
| of communication that travels through a | | | | networking platform. |
| conventional phone line-voice calls, faxes, voice | | | | VoIP's potential cost savings are obvious when a |
| messages and conference calls-can also travel in | | | | business considers running all of its calls over the |
| digital form through an IP (Internet Protocol) | | | | same IP network it set up internally for data, as |
| network. VoIP, on the other hand, transmits the | | | | well as over a phone line to its internet provider |
| voice as digital packets, just as e-mail and Web | | | | (which could be its phone company). |
| browsing is transmitted. | | | | With today's ever-growing awareness of the |
| VoIP has many advantages, including: Lower cost. | | | | benefits of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), |
| Providers offer more competitive pricing for a | | | | more and more enterprises are implementing or |
| couple of reasons. VoIP is not regulated by the | | | | converting to VoIP. While challenges still exist in |
| FCC and is not subject to the same taxes as | | | | the adoption of VoIP, the benefits of this |
| standard phone companies. Providers offer | | | | technology over traditional voice networks are |
| software-based telephone features unimaginable | | | | many from increased productivity and operational |
| on traditional wireline or even most wireless | | | | flexibility, to greater cost reductions and |
| telephone networks. In addition, plans do not | | | | investment protection. |
| charge a per-minute fee for long distance. For | | | | |