Posts Tagged ‘Telephone Services’

VoIP Technologies

January 28th, 2010

Many people do not have any imagination about VoIP. The task of this article is to consider what is VoIP at all, its technologies, software and billing.

What is VoIP?

This abbreviation means Voice over Internet Protocol. VoIP technologies include different technologies that give us possibility to use IP networks for voice applications of various types. For example, it may be voice instant messaging, telephony, teleconferencing etc. Many software developers think that VoIP technologies have great future because it has different solutions almost in every level of IP network. It may be voice applications for specialized application, like Skype, which is one of the most popular VoIP software, or quality measures of the lowest levels that allow to run those applications in a smooth way.

There is also such utterance as VoIP billing. This is a new concept and its application will allow you to save a lot of money on paying of your telephone bills.

VoIP and its applications

As it was mentioned above VoIP technologies include different technologies that give us possibility to use IP networks for voice applications of various types. This applications may include the following: telephone services, desktop applications and phone systems of corporate type.
At first, telephone services. This is a service that will allow you to save money on telephone billing, it was named VoIP billing.

The next applications is desktop applications. This service was named VoIP software. It will allow you to use different software from voice-chat which was loaded on your PC desktop to IP-based telecommunications networks, such as Mac, which are used in large corporations.

On the one hand, VoIP technologies is technology investment which will allow to develop a lot of streams that will make possible to get your own profit.

On the other hand, VoIP technologies will allow to simplify your corporate network and to make some improvements of telephony experience for users of network, this is a great advantage for enterprise network engineer.

For the home user, VoIP technologies is really great possibility to cut the charges on the old telephone bill.

Services based on VoIP

Many companies suggest voice calling services which are really cheap. This is realised with the help of your broadband connection. Some of the offer calling services even cheaper than $9.95 per month. This is allowed with the help of VoIP technologies. Providers of IP service over voice usually use the internet to transfer voice signals from their own networks up to the phone located at your home. That is why their bills are much more cheaper that bills of other companies, because VoIP telecommunication is not organised in that way like traditional telecommunication phone lines.
What is expected for VoIP in the future?

One of the new VoIP technologies is cell-phones based on VoIP. It is almost ready for application. It will allow people to avoid interruption of communication driving your car, entering your office and then the signal will be transmitted to your laptop using Wi-Fi network. This type of technology is already existing but it is not widely used.

There are also a lot of different VoIP technologies which are not very widespread today. But it is expected the great future for them.

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VoIP (Voice Over IP) Explained

October 13th, 2009

Telephone calls through broadband: this is the future of telephony. Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology represents a revolution in the way we communicate. Here’s an outline of three of the most common ways that VoIP can be used to make cheap phone calls.

You’ve probably heard about new technology that allows people to use broadband to make cheap phone calls. Perhaps you already make calls or video-calls yourself from your computer. Whatever you know already, it helps to have a clear, basic grasp of how this exciting new generation of telephone services works and how it can be used.

The technical name for making cheap phone calls using broadband is ‘Voice Over Internet Protocol’. Some people call it ‘Voice Over IP’, or even ‘VoIP’ (say “voyp”). Perhaps you’ve heard of ‘VoIP phones’. VoIP is, basically, the umbrella term for the technology for making telephone calls using the Internet and broadband. It uses audio systems to encode speech in a way that means that it can be transmitted digitally over an Internet Protocol network.

There are many ways of using VoIP technology and a broadband connection to make phone calls. Here are three of the most common.

1. PC to PC

The first, simplest and typically free way to use VoIP is ‘PC to PC’. For this, you’ll need to be at your computer, as will the person you’re calling. You’ll also both need a headset/microphone/speaker. And you’ll need either USB VoIP phone, which plugs into your computer’s USB socket. If you don’t have that, you can install or download a piece of software called a ’softphone’. This allows VoIP calling without dedicated equipment. Though this is undoubtedly the cheapest way to make VoIP calls, the call quality is often not great. And you’re tied to your computer.

2. PC to Phone

The second popular way to use voice over IP is by using your PC or computer to call a normal landline or mobile phone. The advantage of this is that the person you’re calling doesn’t need to have signed up with the same service, doesn’t need all the equipment etc. You, though, will be charged for these ‘outage’ calls. And you are, as above, tied to your PC.

3. Phone to Phone

A VoIP provider sends you a VoIP adaptor. You use this to connect your normal digital cordless (’DECT’) telephone to the broadband modem / router on your computer. Once you’ve installed the VoIP provider’s software (this converts the analog signal to a digital one), you continue to use your phone exactly as before, using your existing broadband connection to make cheap telephone calls. To call, you pick up your existing digital cordless (DECT) phone and dial as normal. Your computer doesn’t even need to be switched on. When their phone rings at the other end, they answer as normal.

The beauty of this final method of using voice over IP is that your computer doesn’t even have to be switched on for you to use the VoIP technology and broadband to make calls. The person you’re calling doesn’t have to have signed up to the same VoIP provider. Nor do they need to have broadband, or be at their computer. In fact, they don’t even need to have a computer.

So there it is – three of the most common ways in which you can now use VoIP technology to make cheap phone calls.




By: Costas Kariolis

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What you should know method of VoIP technology

September 3rd, 2009

VoIP is Voice over Internet Protocol. Standard telephone lines are referred to as PSTN or the Public Switched Telephone Network. PSTN works on circuit switching. A good example of circuit switching is the old switchboard operator who would connect callers to receivers by the use of electrical circuits. VoIP is Packet Switching. Packet Switching consists of data packets, or packets of information being carried across the Internet, from your computer to either another computer or PSTN telephone.

VoIP operates in different forms. For instance, you can use VoIP when you use an Instant Messaging program with voice on your computer. These are very popular and now Yahoo, AOL, MSN, ICQ, and even Google have VoIP Instant Messaging programs. The benefits of these programs are that they are free to download off of the Internet, and by using a microphone and your speakers; you can talk over the Internet with any of your buddies. As long as your friends and family members download the same program, you will be able to talk with them as long as you like, and absolutely free. You can talk to anyone, anywhere in the world with VoIP Instant Messengers.

Another method of VoIP technology is to use a VoIP service provider for your basic telephony needs. A very familiar company is Vonage. For a monthly fee, you will receive VoIP services, the same as you pay for your regular telephone services. You can choose to use your VoIP service over the Internet, or you can choose to connect your VoIP to your standard telephone. By connecting a VoIP phone adapter to your modem and standard phone, you will be able to use your VoIP service and your telephone as you would with any other telephone service provider.

Many people prefer to use a VoIP service provider because the cost of local and long distance calling with VoIP is very inexpensive. Many providers offer unlimited calling plans. There are other features that are often bundled with your service plan. Features such as Voicemail, Caller ID, Call Waiting, Call Transfer, and 3 Way Calling are often included for free in your selected VoIP plan. By choosing your VoIP service provide and installing a phone adapter, you will be on your way to making low cost VoIP calls in minutes.

You can also purchase a specialized VoIP phone. These phones come in both cordless and corded styles. The cordless VoIP phones work the same as standard cordless phones.

Many of these phones also come with conferencing features and are suitable for small or home business needs.

Another forms of VoIP telephones are the VoWiFi phones. These are wireless VoIP phones. This is the same technology as VoIP, only you are not limited to a plugged in connection. You can use your VoWiFi phone wherever there is a wireless High Speed Internet Connection. These phones are more expensive then mobile phones, and haven’t had all of the kinks worked out yet. However, they are still a cost effective choice for those who would like to save a little money.

VoIP has proved to be a viable source of telecommunications. Many companies are now offering VoIP services and those who aren’t have plans to do so. Companies such as Verizon and Sprint offer VoIP services. Other companies are working on creating VoIP phones and VoWiFi phones.

There are Hybrid phones on the market, which allow for both VoWiFi and Cellular calling. These phones have many people excited. They can work in a network range as a cellular phone, and then, they can work as a VoWiFi phone, avoiding all roaming charges.

The FCC has issued some regulations regarding VoIP and the ability to call 911. Because VoIP uses the Internet and not a landline phone, when a call is made to 911 from a VoIP connection, the operator who receives the call receives none of the caller’s pertinent information. This includes address or location of the call. Some service providers do not supply 911 at all; others have what is known as Enhanced 911 services. To use these services you may need to activate your service, as well as register your information with 911. However, you will need to sign a statement when you apply for your VoIP services stating that you understand your 911 capabilities may be limited.




By: Naveen Kumar

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