What is VOIP?

VOIP stands for Voice Over IP. It is used for communication over the internet. If you have ever used Skype or a similar service, you have used VIOP.

Basically, VOIP services convert your voice into a digital signal to send out over the internet. At the other end, it is converted into a telephone signal again. This allows the VOIP user to call from an internet connection, but connect to a regular phone. VOIP can be used to make calls, local or long-distance from a computer, a special phone, or a regular phone with a special adapter.

VOIP is a great way to stay in touch with friends and loved ones that live far away because of its affordability. Depending on the provider, you may be able to pay a flat rate per minute, no matter where in the world you call to or from. For this reason, VOIP has become a popular communications method for travellers and is often provided in internet cafés around the world.

If you wish to use VOIP at home, you will need a computer, a very fast internet connection and an adaptor or software in addition to a microphone. Most people find it easiest to connect a regular phone to their computer, or use a headset.

VOIP advantages

There are quite a few advantages to VIOP over a regular phone service. It is certainly cheaper and many service providers offer the option of conference calls.

Now that this service has become more popular, it is often available in airports where you can make a quick, cheap call to anywhere in the world. It can also be used to leave voice messages and for teleconferencing.

This technology has many applications in the business world, where it first became popular. Cutting down on phone bills, making it easier to communicate between international offices and to make further use of the internet are just a few of its advantages on the business front.

At home, the main use is for cutting down on phone costs, especially long-distance ones.

Disadvantages

Some service providers act more like regular telephone companies and charge long-distance rates for calls outside your set area. Also, a high speed internet connection is necessary in order for VOIP to work correctly. Dial up is simply not fast enough and will not work.

Also, many VOIP phones and services cannot connect to emergency numbers like 911, so you will need a regular phone for emergencies.

Future

It is speculated that in the future, with faster and faster internet service, VIOP will become the norm for every household, at least in first world countries. At the moment, a large majority of homes in the United States have a minimum of one desktop computer. Imagine if everyone who owned a computer also used VIOP. Phone companies would be forced to lower their rates in the face of the competition!

At any rate, while regular phone companies are nowhere near the point of extinction, we owe it to ourselves to try out this relatively technology.