| Have you heard all the buzz about VoIP? | | | | calls can be made to anywhere in the world free of |
| Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is an emerging | | | | charge. If you choose you could also use an Internet |
| technology which allows you to make telephone calls | | | | telephone that plugs into the sound card or USB port |
| over the Internet - many times for free. It is already | | | | on your computer. However, this is an additional |
| starting to replace existing telephone networks, with | | | | expense which is really not necessary. |
| many people and businesses choosing to cancel their | | | | Until recently, the major disadvantage with |
| traditional phone line and use VoIP instead. Why? | | | | computer-to-computer calls was that both parties |
| Price. Consumer are finding that they can save a lot | | | | had to have the same kind of software installed in |
| of money using VoIP technologies. | | | | order to make a connection; but things are changing |
| Originally developed to provide voice communication | | | | now and emerging technology is beginning to allow |
| between computer users in different locations, in | | | | users to make calls to users utilizing different VoIP |
| recent years, VoIP has been further developed into a | | | | software. Almost every software package, however, |
| telephone network in its own right. People using VoIP | | | | has the ability to connect with landline or cellular |
| can call any telephone anywhere in the world and can | | | | phones. |
| receive calls on telephone sets connected to the | | | | How It Works |
| Internet. | | | | Although each VoIP software package is different, |
| Currently, there are quite a few VoIP services | | | | most VoIP software function the same way. Usually, |
| available for consumers to choose from. Some of | | | | you can call another person on the network by |
| these still rely on PC-to-PC connections but many | | | | typing in their user name or number. If that person is |
| VoIP providers offer other services such as | | | | online they will see a popup box alerting them that |
| PC-to-phone and phone-to-phone connection. | | | | you want to talk. The other party can see who is |
| In order to use VoIP, both parties need a broadband | | | | calling and can choose to either accept or reject the |
| connection. This is a high-speed Internet connection | | | | call. |
| usually provided by a cable or DSL modem- | | | | Before the popup appears, however, there has |
| broadband modems are usually used to connect | | | | already been some communication between the two |
| computers to the Internet. | | | | computers. The VoIP software has information about |
| The simplest form of VoIP is a | | | | the speed of your Internet connection and the type |
| computer-to-computer voice connection. This is also | | | | of code that can be used to compress and |
| the type of connection which allows users to make | | | | decompress audio data. When a call request is made, |
| free phone calls over the Internet. | | | | both computers negotiate which code is going to be |
| All that is required to make your first free call over | | | | used to make allowances for the connection speed. |
| the Internet is a computer, a headset consisting of | | | | Other types of VoIP Services are available which |
| earphones and microphone, and VoIP software. The | | | | allow you to make PC-to-Phone connections, and also |
| VoIP software can be downloaded from the service | | | | calls that do not involve the use of your computer at |
| provider's site. The best thing is that most software | | | | all. Although these premium services vary in price, in |
| packages are free and allow you to connect to any | | | | most cases by using VoIP technology you will be |
| computer running the same software. | | | | saving a significant amount of money on your phone |
| There is no charge for this type of connection and | | | | bills each month. |