The VoIP Revolution
Long distance telephone service has changed dramatically due to the invention of VOIP phone technology. VOIP, or “Voice Over Internet Protocol”, enables users to make phone calls over a computer network, either local or global. The equipment is effective and simple: an adapter sits on a traditional telephone line and converts analog audio signals into digital signals. These digital packets to send through the broadband line, then are translated back to audio signals at the far end receiver.
A VOIP phone isn’t really a different kind of phone, then, but is more accurately a specialized technology that enables the user to connect their regular telephone to add functionality using the LAN or internet network line. VOIP technology basically converts an existing broadband connection into a viable phone line, without interrupting or disrupting any other service. This advantage over tradtional service is quite large.
A Voip Phone Revolution is starting
VOIP technology is beginning to take over the telecommunications market, especially as businesses and corporations become able to take full advantage of the networking capabilities of their internet or LAN services. According to many industry experts, Voip phone technology has the capability to change the landscape of traditional telephone service completley, which will impact the way in which phone calls are made throughout the world. Some businesses are preparing for the coming explosion of this technology by having staff members sent to VOIP training centers, to learn how to assist the overall integration of the VOIP phone.
Service providers in many US and UK markets are already providing new services, in addition to their traditional phone services, to users of VOIP phone systems. Large companies such as AT&T and Vonage are including LAN and internet services to their telephone enterprise packages, in order to join in the inevitable takeover of VOIP technology.
An Array of Voip phone technology.
VOIP phone technology comes in three basic flavors on the market today. The first is the ATA, or “analog telephone adapter”, which is probably the simplest way in which to participate in VOIP technology. This simple adapter connects a standard telephone to the computer, which connects, in turn, to the internet or LAN line that enables VOIP calling to take place. It converts digital to analog and vice versa.
The second way to use VOIP technology is the “IP phone”. These look and feel identical to standard telephones, but they have all the necessary hardware and software inside of them, and an Ethernet connection instead of an ordinary phone jack. A VoIP phone like this can be connected directly into a router, without the need for an adapter. It can be automatically integrated into the VOIP phone technology.
The third type of VOIP solution is computer-to-computer calling, using a piece of free software that enables users of two computers with the necessary sound cards and microphones to talk to each other at no cost at all. It requires no additional equipment. The service requires no long distance fees at all, so other than the basic internet service provider fee, making computer-to-computer calls is totally free.
