A Simple But Powerful Introduction to VoIP |
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By: Tim Gorman Posted: 2006-09-18 20:51:25 |
| 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. |
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