Loading
Understanding How VoIP Works
VoIP, or teleconferencingdiva.com/voip-faqs/wireless-voip'>Voice over Internet Protocol, has become a tremendous asset for consumers all over the nation. Companies like Vonage and AT&T offer VoIP access plans that can save you dramatic amounts of money, though if you feel like tinkering with the technology, you don't even need to buy the program through one of these companies. How does VoIP work?
Actually, it's very simple. VoIP technology simply transforms the audio signal of your usual phone into a digital signal, breaks it up into tiny parcels (called packets) and sends it over your broadband Internet connection to the recipient of your phone call.
You can make use of this technology in three ways. Companies like Vonage and AT&T offer an ATA unit, which simply converts an analog signal to a digital signal and then transmits it over the Internet. These devices plug into a USB port on your computer and your phone plugs into the ATA.
The second option is becoming more common. This solution entails using a special phone, which connects directly to your router or DSL modem through an Ethernet connector. The phone contains an ATA, as well as transmission hardware, so you simply speak like normal.
The third option is to download a free software solution and purchase a headset with a microphone. This is not only the simplest way to utilize the technology, but other than the cost of the headset, you don't pay any fees to use the service. However, it does require that the person on the other end of the call have the same setup as you, in most instances.
What are the advantages to using VoIP? One of the most significant advantages is the sheer savings involved. For instance, you will enjoy numerous extras that your phone company charges to use. Most VoIP solutions offer call waiting, caller ID, repeat dialing, 3-way calling, call return and call transfer capabilities. Some advanced features of the technology include the ability to send a 'busy' signal to certain callers, send the caller a rejection notice, forward the call to another number and sending the call directly to voicemail.
Actually, chances are quite high that you are already using VoIP technology and simply don't know it. Most long distance calls are actually made using this technology, which allows long distance providers to reduce the amount of bandwidth that they use, as well as provide greater savings to customers. VoIP can be a tremendous asset to your needs, whether you choose to use a national VoIP provider, or to tinker with it yourself.