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.

If you want to cover up and connect the breath and width of the globe, then that technology must be using satellite somewhere within. The condition is same for the internet. Broadband via satellite is only feasible option today for localities where DSL or Cable is not penetrable due to technological constraints.

How it works?

Satellite broadband facilitates high quality digital internet access via satellite. You need to have a satellite dish, similar to that of a satellite TV and a box inside similar to a receiver. This satellite dish transfers your digital signals up and down from to the hub dish, which is located in VSAT operator and ISP provider premises. In turn, the hub dish, functioning as a high-speed digital backbone connects you to the rest of the World through satellite.

Satellite and ADSL Broadbands

A satellite broadband is independent of huge cabling, does not require a telephone connection, and keeps you always connected to the internet with stable speed. While in ADSL broadband, the speed may not remain steady and whenever there occur a fault in wire lines your internet stops going further.

It is anywhere, anytime internet with satellite broadband. The much astonishing thing is it is a complete portable broadband, which facilitates moving you the setup to wherever you move. ADSL internet restricts itself to run only in the place of installation.

In ADSL broadband, speed suffers if you are away in a remote area but satellite broadband speed remain constant irrespective of your location.

Satellite Broadband does usual things in superior way

Speeder web surfing, faster downloads, quick emails and high-pace audio/video streaming are highly accomplished with the speed of several hundred kbps. Satellite broadband capacities are shared all over the Europe. Services for home and small office users are shared in higher proportions, but are of lower cost and services for business users are dedicated or have low sharing proportion. People requiring huge uploading of data or real time two-way video communication or VoIP are provided with higher end options.

Downside

However, as every technology have some drawback, satellite broadband too have it own hindrance. The delay in access, due to the signal travel from earth station to the satellite and back to the user again is that one. This problem may aggravate because of few atmospheric conditions like rain and storm. Still, one can sense such delays in condition like while playing online games and are not at all noticeable while doing usual internet activities.

However, besides this one small hitch, it serves you in an exceptional way, the speed with it amazes everyone who had on, and well you will be a happy chap with it. For this one reason, it must be your first choice.

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.