VoIP Services: An Introduction

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about VoIP services.

"Can you please briefly explain to me what VoIP is?"

VoIP stands for "Voice over Internet Protocol." A VoIP phone, (or "broadband phone") is a phone service which connects to your existing high-speed Internet connection for the purpose of making and receiving phone calls.

With a traditional landline, you use your phone to make calls over the copper wires running on traditional telephone poles.

There are two kinds of VoIP services: phone-based and computer-based.

With phone-based services, you use your standard phone equipment. With computer-based services you plug a headset and microphone into your computer and make calls that way.

"How do I receive or make a VoIP phone call?"

With a phone-based service you'd do what you always do: pick up the phone to answer it or dial a number to place a call. You won't notice any difference, really.

With a computer-based service, you can make (or receive) calls using a headset and microphone that's plugged into your computer.

"Can I call any phone or just another VoIP phone?"

Most providers now enable you to call any phone number in the world -- local calls, long-distance calls, calls to cellphones, or even international numbers.

However, there are still some computer-based VoIP services providers that still limit you to calling other subscribers to that service (what they call "User to User").

Either way, you'll probably have the option of getting several kinds of features as part of your VoIP services: speaking with more than one person at a time with "Conference Calling" or "Three-way Calling", caller ID, etc.

"How's the voice quality?"

The quality of VoIP services have improved quite a bit over the years to the extent that you probably won't be able to tell the difference between VoIP and a standard

landline.

However, voice clarity may vary depending on the specific VoIP services provider. It can also depend on the speed and quality of your high-speed Internet connection.

Before you sign up, you may want to talk to other users of the service you are considering.

"Do I need a computer to make or receive calls?"

Not if you have a phone-based VoIP service. You will need an adapter (which you can get from the VoIP services provider). This adapter will connect your phone to your high-speed internet connection.

You'll need a computer if you use computer-based VoIP services.

"Do I do anything different to make a long-distance call versus a local call?"

No difference. What may be different is how much you are charged to make the call, based on who you go with for your VoIP services. But generally speaking, long-distance rates are pretty low. Not only that: many VoIP services providers will make unlimited long-distance a standard feature of their plans.

"OK, let's get technical. How do VoIP services work?"

Like it says, Voice over IP means you are using Internet protocols to make and receive phone calls. More specifically, you are using packet switching technology instead of the more traditional circuit switching used in "old-fashioned" phone systems.

What this means is that your call is converted into small digital packets, each of which is marked to indicate that it is part of a larger message. Then it is compressed and sent on its way over several different pathways or routes. Traditional phone systems would use a single route, which was not very efficient -- too much wasted capacity. The routes are chosen depending on network congestion, etc.

At the other end, the packets are put back together in the proper sequence, then decompressed and converted back into a voice message that your party can understand.

Hope that wasn't too technical!