Understanding VoIP Technology

Perhaps you have already heard of the VoIP technology but are still not completely aware of what it is. Whether you are interested in setting up a VoIP network or just want to make yourself more familiar with the relatively new VoIP technology, there is some information that is going to be important for you to be aware of.

What it is

VoIP technology is truly revolutionary, and if you are one of the few people out there who have not heard of it before, you should really get ready to completely change the way that you think about long distance phone calls.

The VoIP method is one for taking analog audio signals and turning them into digital data that can be transmitted over the Internet. It can turn a standard Internet connection into a way to place free phone calls, and the practical upshot of this then is that by using some of the free VoIP software that is available to make Internet phone calls, you are actually bypassing the phone company entirely.

There is actually more than one option available to you when it comes to making a phone call using the VoIP technology: ATA, IP phones, and computer-to-computer. ATA is the simplest and most common way, and the ATA allows you to connect a standard phone to your computer or your Internet connection for use with your VoIP.

With the IP phones, these are specialized phones look just like normal phones with a handset, cradles, and buttons, however instead of using the standards RJ-11 phone connectors, the IP phones have an RJ-45 Ethernet connector. Finally with the computer-to-computer method, this is considered as being the easiest way to use the VoIP technology.

You don’t even have to pay for long distance calls if you choose to use the computer-to-computer method, and all you need is the necessary software, a microphone, speakers, a sound card, and an Internet connection. Just remember that it has to be a high speed Internet connection and dial up and lite will not work.

If you are interested in trying VoIP out for yourself, you should check out some of the free VoIP software that is available on the Internet so that you can try it out firsthand, see what it is all about and then decide whether you think it is worth it to make the switch altogether. The benefits offered by VoIP are definitely at least worth considering, especially if you have a business.