Toms Tech

Recently, my neighbor asked me about how to call international long distance with no-minute charge. He also was interested in learning how to lower his home phone bill. I told him about a phone system called VoIP that would benefit his interest. This article is a brief information to introduce VoIP to you.

First, do you know how many people are using VoIP services? Here are interesting numbers… In 2007 there were almost 65 million worldwide voip subscribers. In the USA, over 16 million US VoIP subscribers, with continue to grow 6-8 million new subscribers every year, about 24 million US VoIP subscribers expected by 2008. By 2010 , US VoIP Subscribers will reach 44 millions, and the number of worldwide subscribers is predicted to rise to over 197 millions.

So what is VoIP – VoIP is standing for ” Voice over Internet Protocol “. VoIP also is referred to as Internet Telephony, IP Telephony, or Voice over the Internet, VoIP Telephone, Broadband Telephony, Broadband Phone, Voice over Broadband, or simply Internet Phone.

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a protocol optimized for the transmission of voice hrough the Internet or other switched networks. It’s described as the transmission of voice traffic over IP-based networks, a unique technology that allows us to make calls using a broadband Internet connection ( through broadband modem ) instead of a regular (analog) phone line. At first, the Internet Protocol (IP) was originally designed for data networking systems. Later, with its success in data networking field and the explosion of Internet Era, the IP has been developed in voice networking and nowadays it is bringing us the most profit in this field. VoIP has become more and more popular because of the cost advantages to consumers compares to traditional telephone networks.

A brief explanation on how does VOIP work? – The traditional phone system is using analog phone signals to deliver and receive calls, with VoIP system, it’s using digital signals that can be sent over the Internet. If you have quality Internet connection – DSL (digital subscriber line), described as High Speed Internet Service which makes fast Internet connection ) you can get phone service delivered through your Internet connection instead of from your local phone company. In basics, here is how system works:

PC to PC: Computer connects to Broadband Modem connects to Internet connects to Broadband Modem connects to Computer

PC to Phone: Computer connects to Broadband Modem connects to Internet connects to Telephone Network connects to Telephone

Phone to Phone ( using Router ): Telephone connects to Phone Adaptor connects to Router connects to Broadband Modem connects to Internet connects to Telephone Network connects to Telephone

Benefits of using VoIP: There are two major reasons to use VoIP: Low Cost and More Profits

Low Cost: Phone services via VoIP costs less than equivalent services from analog systems. With the traditional analog phone services, users pay a flat monthly fee for the service, and pay other fee for long distance call service plus per-minute charge. With VoIP, the users who already have High Speed Internet service (DSL), can take advantage by using VoIP over this service – Many VoIP Service Providers allow you enjoy unlimited in-network calling – it means you can call any other in-network customer without charge. Other companies allow you to call any number, including local, long distance, mobile, and international numbers. For International calling, the users who using VoIP can get big savings with lower rates. Depends on each VoIP service offer, you can enjoy unlimited calling worldwide to many destinations for a flat monthly fee with no minute charge or low rates.

More Profits – Compares to analog phone networks, VoIP has more advantage functions. You can make calls from your personal computer to other’s computer or other’s regular phone, or you can make calls directly from your regular phone to other’s regular phone. Besides, The digital signals let you enjoy high quality voice and many advantage services such as Voice Mail, Caller ID, 3-Way Calling, Call Waiting, Speed Dial, Repeat Dial, Do Not Disturb, Call Forwarding, Emergency 911 Service, Online Account Management, Virtual Calling Card, access the service to your cell phone…

Further more, Incoming phone calls are automatically routed to your VoIP phone where ever you plug it into the network, so you can take your VoIP phone with you on a trip, around the world – anywhere you can connect it to the High Speed Internet, you can call and receive your incoming calls anytime. The VoIP Router can be set up anywhere with High Speed Internet, it provides you the advantage of savings. For example, a VoIP provider allows you get the US number and connect the router outside of the US. So when you call to that number, just like you call locals, and the person who is in other country calls you by using this service ( connected through router ) just pay a very small charge per minute, or sometimes it’s free.

The government is aiming to get broadband in every home in Britain within the next three years. For Broadband providers this is an exciting prospect, but means that their competitiveness must rise to keep on top of their market. There are countless companies offering broadband packages, and companies will continue to drop prices and offer free incentives to make sure customers choose them. Is this confusing the customer?

Every broadband provider is offering a special deal, such as 3 months at a lower price, free phone usage, higher download speeds- to mention but a few. No wonder customers are finding it difficult to make a decision. On top of all the special offers, there are also contracts and pay as you go deals to consider, making the decision even harder. Your home phone provider is more than likely to offer a broadband package along with your phone line. For a little extra you could get a good home phone and broadband package because you are an existing customer. Make sure you get in touch with your phone provider and ask what they can offer you.

Another good way to get a cheap deal on broadband is with your mobile phone network. Many people do not consider this an option, or are even aware that mobile networks offer a home broadband package. The major networks offer broadband, including Orange, O2, Vodafone and 3. If you already have a contract, certain providers will even offer you free home broadband depending on your mobile phone contract. It is well worth seeing if you can get a cheap deal from your network provider.

Apart from the cost, another thing to consider is the broadband speed available to you. Companies will offer competitive broadband speeds, but your area may not be able to host this speed, meaning that you will be wasting money on high speed internet even though your modem will not be able to support it.

Make sure you compare broadband online before agreeing to another term with your current provider. Also, make sure you do a broadband speed test before committing to an attractive offer of speedy internet. Broadband companies are really competitive at the moment so do your research to get the best deal.

In this contemporary world, almost everyone is trying to save money on their monthly telephone bills. With the new internet telephony services, calling is made easier and cheaper as it is based on the packet switching technique, wherein calls are routed through the internet. In the packet switching technique of broadband VoIP phone services, the conversation of users are routed over internet fiber optics rather than coaxial wires.

The new and advanced telephony services allow users to cut down on bills. To make a call using broadband VoIP service, users require equipment like specific hardware and software. The hardware includes ATA, and a normal phone. A high speed broadband internet connection is another pre-requisite. The VoIP software is usually available on the internet. Moreover, they are easily downloaded onto the phones as well. The ATA digitalises the analog signal before routing the same over the internet. As a matter of fact, users experience internet telephony just like a regular telephone service.

The broadband VoIP phone services enable the users to make the most of add-on benefits such as easy transfer of images, videos and texts on the same network. This allows businesses or providers to save incredible amounts on bandwidth usage. Thereby, the cost of calls through VoIP telephone services is significantly lower as they are not based on the call durations. In addition, broadband services are enriched with enhanced call productivity. There is a greater productivity and efficient utilisation of scare resources, as it allows users to carry multitudinous jobs like mailing, chatting or surfing the internet, simultaneously. Considering the benefits of business phone service, business houses – especially the ones holding a global presence – are making the most of the bundled services available.

The bundled services include 3-way calling, caller ID, call conferencing, call forwarding and many more. The best part is that, users of the internet broadband services can avail VoIP services from anywhere across the globe. Consequently, it can be said that users are free to access calls without getting restricted to their computer terminals. They can make a call as well as receive a call from anywhere and at anytime without incurring great expenses.

As a matter of fact, voice over IP market is flooded away with solution providers. Therefore, users must search and research the providers that offer numerous services. Users must select VoIP solution providers that deal with wholesale carrier services, reseller programs and business solutions to their clients. This will ensure the best services from the providers in comparison to other providers. While opting for VoIP phone service, user must opt for providers that support features such as:

1.Functionality: This feature enables the users to carry multifarious job like calling and checking the mails simultaneously.

2.Reliability and Security: This feature satisfies the users that there data is saved over the IP process.

3.Scalability: This feature ensures that users can carry their phones anywhere around the world.

The VoIP internet phone service is getting popular among the next generation users as it provides one stop solution for making longer distance as well as international calls at lower rates.