Home Add to Favorite Contact Submit  
             29 March, 2024
 

    
Category:  Articles » Communications » VOIP

 

A Simple But Powerful Introduction to VoIP

Popularity:
         Views: 1503
2006-09-18 20:51:25     
Article by Tim Gorman

It seems that the latest buzz is all about VoIP. Basically, VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) allows you to make telephone calls over the internet. As the technology improves, VoIP is starting to replace existing phone services. Business and individuals are already starting to cancel their standard phone lines and use VoIP instead.

Originally, VoIP was developed to allow computer users in different locations to talk without incurring high phone charges. This is still one of its major functions, but a number of companies have pushed the boundaries and are now offering VoIP services that can be used when calling standard phones. You can use VoIP to phone anywhere in the world, and with a special internet phone, you can also receive calls where you are, as long as you can connect to the internet.

VoIP was first developed by Israeli computer enthusiasts back in 1995. They create the first computer to computer voice connection. It only took months for the technology to be developed into a software package called Internet Phone Software. As long as you had a computer with a modem, speakers, sound card and a microphone, you could talk to other computer enthusiasts with the same setup.

The software takes the audio signal, turns it into a digital signal, compresses it, and then sends it across the internet as data packets. Initially you could only talk to other people with the same software installed, and the sound quality tended to be very poor. If you wanted a clear line, it was much better to use a standard telephone connection.

Like all technology with huge potential, it wasn't long before more companies set to work on improving the quality and features of VoIP. By 1998 it was possible to make a PC-to-phone connection. So you could phone anyone with a standard phone using your computer, which was generally cheaper than the cost of a phone call. Later in 1998 it became possible to make a call from a regular phone to another phone with the call traveling via the internet. You still needed to use a computer when initiating the call, but once the connection was made, you could switch to a regular phone set. Calling costs were substantially cheaper than regular phone call charges.

The number of available VoIP services is expanding rapidly, and are suitable for both residential and commercial use. Some of the more basic services still only offer PC-to-PC services, but many now offer other options such as PC-to-phone and phone-to-phone. You can also get an internet phone that plus straight into the sound card or USB port of a computer. They can be used in basically the same way as a traditional phone, and often have number pads and ringers. You can bypass your computer completely by plugging your internet phone directly into a broadband modem.

To begin with, the VoIP program converts your voice into digital data. It takes the analog sound signal and breaks it up into small steps that are assigned a number value. These steps are then digitized and compressed. To send the data across the internet, it's split up into little packets of about 1500 bytes each. The packets contain information about the data as well, including its origin, destination and a timestamp. This helps the receiver reassemble the data packets in the correct order. They are then converted back into analog so the person at the other end can hear your voice.

It's necessary to have a broadband internet connection if you want to use VoIP effectively. Cable and DSL broadband are becoming more common in households and businesses today, to it's relatively simple to start using VoIP.

Print article      Bookmark this page
Related Articles 
Top 5 Call Center Software Characteristics To Look For (Popularity: ): The call center industry is booming. The call centers are now replacing their traditional call center systems with the advanced call center infrastructure. One of as such must have call center infrastructure is a “Call Center Software”. Whether you are a startup call center or a well established contact center, you might need the call center software. There is a plethora of options available in the market for a call ...
Automated Reminder System for Better Customer Services (Popularity: ): No matter what industry you are working in, the customer relationship is a necessity for the growth of the company. Each enterprise needs to ensure that it runs a few extra miles to offer the enhanced client support and services. The increase in the customer satisfaction will ensure the success in business, growth and of course Return Over Investments because you will get the returning customers as well as the ...
Understanding Yahoo Conference Call (Popularity: ): You should not worry, if you do not know the ways to make a conference call. It is very easy to make conference calls. Once you learn the basic idea about conference call, you will find it easy and comfortable. There are many online options that are providing the facility of conference call. It is advisable to use yahoo conference call because it is very easy and it gives satisfactory ...
Connect With Remote Patients Globally With The Help Of PBX Solutions (Popularity: ): With an advent of technology, globalization has reinforced many businesses hence it is pivotal to upgrade tools and systems with robust features. As we know, today remote communication is an imperative part of enterprises, be it small or big, enterprises prefer to deploy state-of-the-art systems like IPPBX and hosted systems so as to obtain maximum benefits within a short span. This not only saves a lot of time but also ...
Broadband Phone: Voice Over Internet Telephone Made Cheap & Easy (Popularity: ): Do you want to make cheap Internet phone calls with VoIP, but are tired of always having to use your computer and headphones, or possibly your favorite messenger to make phone calls online? Thought about using a broadband phone company but not sure what you need or even if your technical aptitude is up to par with such techie computer gadgets? You'll be surprised how easy installing broadband phone service ...


Related Business 
XVOX - Best Voip Service Providers (Popularity: ): Xvox.com offers wholsale voip minutes, asterisk outbond, voip service, home voip and business voip at very cheap rates. The philosophy behind Xvox is simple: to provide superior quality service at lower rates by leveraging the latest technology and a convenient pay-as-you-go business model.
VAX VoIP Software Development Kit (Popularity: ): Enable applications and Web pages to have voice conversation over the internet protocol (VoIP). It includes VoIP activeX (OCX), VoIP COM DLL, VoIP LIB and VoIP CAB, to provide wide implementation choice.
VOIP Products Suppliers From India (Popularity: ): A well known wholesale supplier of voip products, dealing in all types of quality voip communication devices including voip gateways, ip paging system, channel bank, voip phones, voip adapters and more.
VOIP solutions (Popularity: ): A Place where any one can get all the information for VOIP and , VOIP Business Solutions, VOIP Solutions SMB and VOIP Solutions Resources. VOIP Solutions SOHO VOIP Solutions provider VOIP solutions for Large Business Providers Directory, VOIP Solutions Directory of VOIP related business, Softwares.
VoIP Infotech-VoIP Solution-VoIP Service Provider-VoIP for Mobile Dialer (Popularity: ): Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), abbreviated as VoIP is the most advanced internet telephony; which, is based on technologies, methodologies, and transmission of multi sessions voice communication around the world. ‘VoIP InfoTech’, the global VoIP service providers applies varied internet protocols or techniques to ensure absolute and activ`e interconnection between two users on different domains. Our VoIP services are also available on numerous smartphones and Internet devices.
Xpro Voip – Wholesale VoIP Company (Popularity: ): Xpro Voip is a leading worldwide VOIP Wholesell Termination origination, VOIP route buyer seller and trader. Xpro Voip also providing services for PC-to-Phone provider that offers the next generation communication tool that enables calls from a PC to either a fixed line phone or mobile phone, whether in a dialup, broadband, and single or multiple user environments.
VoIP Solutions (Popularity: ): We are voip services provider providing highly scalable and robust VoIP solution and Call Center Solutions using market leading technologies and products like, Asterisk, A2billing, Vicidial, Tribox, freeswitch etc. VoIP has become popular largely because of the cost advantages to consumers over traditional telephone networks. For International calling, the monetary savings to the consumer from switching to VoIP technology can be enormous.
VoIP Routes (Popularity: ): VoIP Routes is a leading wholesale VoIP provider for big and small businesses, established in USA on 2009. The mission of the company is helping the existing and potential customers to build and develop complex enterprises, as well as carrier-to-carrier, consumer and other VoIP solutions for call shops, call centers, calling card providers and VoIP operators.
My VoIP Provider - VoIP Services (Popularity: ): VoIP provider directory and VoIP rates search engine. Compares and ranks VoIP services according to call rates.
Managed VoIP tunneling solution (Popularity: ): We are providing managed VoIP tunneling solutions. Our technical support will deal with the VoIP tunneling server installation and maintenance, also they will provide high-quality support. Voiptunneling.com solution contains client(windows softphone, webSIPPhone, mobile softphones) and server side(tunneling server) softwares, which ensures VoIP communication in VoIP blocked countries and VoIP phone calls for those users who need encryption.