Simply put: VoIP is an acronym that stands for Voice over Internet Protocol. It is a way to transmit voice in packet form over a data network. This data network can be the Internet or a home or company's internal network.
I find that there are a lot of misunderstood VoIP products or delivery methods on the market. I field phone calls every week from people that want free phone service and think that VoIP is the answer. Let's take a look at how VoIP can work for you.
VoIP phone lines: This is a service that can replace your existing phone line(s) at your business or home. You need to have a High Speed Internet connection such as DSL or Cable Modem for the VoIP service to run over. Most services like this provide a feature rich line and voice mail as part of the package. There are a lot of providers to choose from such as Vonage, Packet 8 and Verizon Voice Wing to name a few. I personally use All Media http://www.allmedia.com/?a_aid=110 this service allows me to call 49 Countries as part of the basic residential plan. My wife is from Taiwan so she can call home every day if she wants. I have been using this service for almost three years and it works great. It also gives me a web interface to set features and make changes.
VoIP phone systems: Most phone systems on the market today have incorporated VoIP into there offering in some way. Some offer a strait VoIP platform where others utilize a hybrid solution between VoIP and digital. VoIP capable phone systems have become more affordable and can help to increase communications and productivity in a multi office environment. Some clients think that if they buy a VoIP phone system all there calls are free. It should help to reduce the cost of your phone bills in some cases but you still need to have some form of phone line (VoIP line, T-1) plugged into the phone system.
The most important thing to consider when you are looking for VoIP lines or a VoIP phone system is QOS (quality of service) on the network. You may need to upgrade old data devices on your network to newer versions that can handle the QOS functions. Devices with QOS have the ability to identify the difference between voice traffic and other traffic on the network and allow the voice traffic to past to avoid packet loss.
About the author: I have been it the Telecommunications industry for thr past 20 years. I got my start as a Tech. hanging of the poles installing & repairing residential & business telephone services. I worked a few years installing Central Office switching mostly Northern DMS 10, 100, 250 switches and MUX equipment.
I have been on the sales side of telecommunications for about the last 10 years now. I worked for a couple of the CLECS as well as some security a
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