VOIP stands for Voice Over Internet Protocol, and can also stand for Voice Over Internet Provider which both basically mean the same thing - a functioning telephone that uses the internet rather then traditional phone lines. Voip works just like a regular phone, and most users report no difference in the way their phone works.
Voip has been around since the beginning of the decade, but only with the advent of broadband has it become a reliable, cost effective alternative to a standard telephone. Many cable companies are offering the service as an alternative to a traditional phone line.
As Voip technology has expanded and improved, and many large companies have gotten into providing internet telephone services which subsequently has increased competition, prices for Voip have come way down.
The main advantage of Voip is that long distance calls can be made at no charge with most plans - which can represent a substantial savings to many users. In addition, most features traditional phone companies have been charging for, such as call display and voice mail are all included. The result is that companies such as Vonage are now offering complete packages featuring unlimited long distance along with all features your current telephone company provides for $24.95 a month - a substantial savings for most phone subscribers who have become used to $100 a month phone bills.
How Voip Works
Most new users of Voip are surprised to find out that their phone works exactly the same as it did with their traditional carrier. In reality, the only thing that changes in your service is that your phone is using your high speed internet connection instead of the copper wires that were installed in your house for your phone.
When you sign up with a Voip provider, they will either install, or send you a phone adaptor box which will allow you to plug your phone directly into, and be up in running with no software to install or technical knowledge required. Any phone that works with your phone line now will work the same with your Voip service.
What About 911 ?
As you can imagine, the traditional phone companies have been scrambling to save market share in the face of the rapidly growing popularity of Voip providers. As part of their strategy to ward of Voip competition, they have attempted to scare off potential Voip customers. In the early days of Voice over Internet, 911 emergency services were not included, but companies such as Vonage now provide full 911 dialing capabilities.
What About Quality ?
Most new users of Voip expect that their new VOIP phone will not have the same quality of connection as their traditional phone line, when in fact, the opposite is true. Your broadband internet connection can transfer far more data with significantly more clarity than copper phone lines can, and the result is a much clearer connection.
Savings
The typical Voip user saves an estimated $300 per year using Voip over their traditional phone carrier.
