What is VoIP?

VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol, which has become a simpler, cheaper and easier way to make and receive telephone and long distance calls using your broadband Internet connection.

On top of allowing you to make cheap long distance calling, the service includes a host of great features such as digital caller ID, voicemail, 3 way calling and call forwarding.

Simple benefits of VoIP

• Lower costs for local and long distance calling
• Multiple functionality included in the service plan

Broadband and VOIP

A broadband high speed internet connection is required to effectively use voip.
Examples of broadband Internet connections are; cable modem, DSL, T1, T3, LAN, WAN, or any other high-speed, "always on" connection. Dial-up internet connections do not work with VoIP because there is not sufficient bandwidth to support the service.

What is required to use VOIP?

Two items: a standard phone and VoIP adapter.

To utilize voip, a telephone adapater is required to connect your home or business phone to the Internet. The telephone adapter, also known as the ATA adapter (Analog Telephone Adapter), converts analog sound signals, such as your voice, to a digital format for transmission over the Internet. Most VoIP service providers will supply a telephone adapater to use with their service.

What is a DID number?

DID number is a virtual phone number that is assigned to your VoIP service that follows you whever you may go. Should you have a New York DID number, people will simply have to call your local to number to reach your whether you are in Los Angelos, Miami or Dallas. Where-ever you go, the DID number goes with you.

With some service providers, it is possible to purchase a virtual number in another city, therefore making it a local call for people in that city to reach you.

How simple is it to use VoIP?

Call it 'plug and play'. Here's the easiest breakdown. Simply connect the telephone (ATA) adapter to your router or internet connection, connect your phone to the adapter and start making long distance calls. It's that simple.

In most cases, there are no software downloads or set-up configurations to adjust on your computer. Should there be software to install on your computer, it would mainly be to manage your account or for advanced features such as call forwarding, voicemail and more.

Travelling with VOIP

One of the greatest benefits of VoIP is being able to travel to different locations and being able to use the service. Simply connect the adapter provided by your voip service provider to a broadband connection and make phone calls no matter where you are; New York, Seattle, Toronto, Vancouver.

Simple example: say you have a Chicago telephone number and you are located in New York, people from Chicago can call you on your local Chicago voip number and reach you no matter where you may be. Some private corporate networks may prevent you from accessing the Internet due to firewall limitations.

Browsing, Surfing and Voip-ing!

You can definetly surf the Internet while taking calls on your voip phone. When making calls, your voice is digitized using audio compression. Audio compression makes the amount of data that you send and receive minimal.

Audio compression is a method of encoding audio, such as your voice, to a digital format. The benfits are that the digital format takes up less storage space, allows for easy transmission and does not take up a lot of bandwidth.

What happens during a power outage?

Considering that your computer and router require an electrical connection, VoIP service will not work during a power outage.

Where can I get VOIP Service?

Chose from a number of popular service providers each offering various features and services. Some providers are offering 1 or 2 months FREE for signing up, features and more.

Click here for our current list of VOIP reviews, recent promotions, coupon codes and deals for broadband phone services.