8/09/2008

A Guide To Voip

A guide to VoIP

What is VoIP? Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is the ability to transmit voice over the Internet to either a receiving computer, telephone or even a mobile phone. VoIP phone is becoming the popular worldwide telephone service for both consumer and the business communities. VoIP works by using a network technology known as Packet Switching Network whereas landline telephones use the Circuit Switching Network. This is referred to as the Public Switched Telephone Network.

What's the difference between VoIP normal phones?

The main difference between Packet Switching and Circuit Switching, is that Packet Switching uses (data) or Packets and sends them over the Internet while Circuit Switching is accomplished by using electrical circuits to make a telephone connection. Circuit Switching is like the old switchboard operators, frantically trying to connect the right caller with the receiver. Packet Switching is used to transfer data all across the Internet including E-mail. Packet Switching converts audio formats into data packets and transmits them over the Internet, then reassembles them on the other person抯 phone or computer in real time. By using a Broadband Internet Connection, microphone and speakers a conversation can take place similar to traditional telephone.

VoIP phones have been round for sometime, but increases in technology it is becoming increasingly popular. Several years ago many applications were available offering some form of free VoIP phone service. Majority of these have gone or now charge a fee for the use of their service as VoIP phone provider. Moreover, VoIP is developing higher standards of quality every day, and it has proved that it is a viable force for telecommunication for the future.

Who is providing VoIP phone service?

Telephone and Internet service provider companies are expanding to allow for monthly VoIP phone services. Companies such as AOL, Verizon and Sprint have VoIP phone offerings. Recently eBay has joined the ranks of VoIP phone service providers by purchasing skype VoIP software, with its vast membership base the VoIP message will soon reach the man on the street.

What's special about VoIP?

Instant messaging programs such as MSN massager have been using VoIP technology for years. Now, most of these messaging programs come with voice enabled features which allow you to call a member of your buddy list. By using a microphone and speakers, you will be able to converse anywhere in the world, by VoIP and your Instant Messaging program.

With instant messaging VoIP incorporates different areas into one program. With your voice enabled programs, you can hook up a digital camera,web cam and use video, while you are speaking on your microphone and listening to on your speakers, and you can type back and forth with your chat program. You could even write an email at the same time. The potential for VoIP phones use is nearly limitless.

VoIP has this unique ability to integrate many forms of telecommunication applications into one package can handle data, audio, video, E-Mail, and web based applications simultaneously. This makes VoIP an incredible boost to business world and provides a cost effective choice of telephone service.

VoIP phone service providers are increasing in popularity with many people discovering all of the benefits available to them by switching from using their land line telephones to VoIP service. First, VoIP phone services costs significantly less than standard phone service, and this is a great attraction for bringing in new customers. Many VoIP phone plans will let you make unlimited long distance calls or provide you with a plan for very inexpensive rates. Many of the features that are often included for a fee with traditional phone service are often included for free with VoIP services. Features such as Call Waiting, Call Block, Call Forwarding, Conference Calling, Voice Mail are usually charged as extras by the traditional phone companies but these are usually free with the VoIP phone packages.Another benefit to VoIP services is that you can usually keep your existing phone number, or allow you to select a new area code. The means if you select an area where most of your friends and family live, a call to you will be treated as local call. For a remote business VoIP service can give the perception of having multiple office locations.

What's the future for VoIP

Make no mistake about it VoIP phone services is a the emerging contender in the telecommunication world.It is a proven technology, can seamlessly integrate into many existing applications, does not require special equipment anyone with a PC with a microphone and speakers can use the service and it is very cost effective. Talk will be cheap!

A Brief Intro To Voip

A Brief Intro To VoIP

If you have an ear open to new computer technologies, you are sure to have heard about VoIP. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is an emerging set of applications which allows you to make telephone calls over the Internet. It is already starting to replace existing telephone networks, with some people and businesses opting to cancel their traditional phone line and use VoIP instead.

VoIP was originally developed to provide voice communication between computer users in different locations. Although it still has this application, it has been further developed into a telephone network in its own right. People using VoIP can call any telephone anywhere in the world and can receive calls on telephone sets connected to the Internet or Local Area Network (LAN).

Background

It all started back in 1995 when Israeli computer enthusiasts made the first computer to computer voice connection. In the same year this technology was developed into a software package called Internet Phone Software. All that was needed to talk to another computer user was a modem, sound card, speakers, and a microphone.

The software digitized and compressed the audio signal before sending it over the Internet in data packets. These voice connections could only occur between computers which had the software installed. The sound quality was very poor -- nowhere near the quality of standard telephone connections.

The technology continued to be developed and by 1998 gateways had been established to allow PC-to-phone connections. Later that same year phone-to-phone connections that used the Internet for voice transmission were set in place. These phone-to-phone connections still required a computer to initiate the call, but once the connection was established, the callers could use a regular phone set.

VoIP Today

There are currently many VoIP services available for residential and commercial use. Some of these still rely on PC-to-PC connections but may offer other services such as PC-to-phone and phone-to-phone.

Internet phones are available that plug into the sound card or USB port of a computer. These phones may have number pads and ringers that allow you to use them the same as traditional telephones. The computer can be bypassed completely by connecting a phone directly to a broadband modem (either DSL or cable).

How Does It Work?

The first step in using VoIP is converting your voice into digital data. This is done by 'sampling' your voice -- dividing the analog sound signal into discrete steps that can be assigned a number value. Once your voice is digitized, the data can be compressed.

This compressed digital data is split up into 'packets' of about 1500 bytes that can be transferred over the Internet. As well as the voice data, the packets contain information about their origin, their destination, and a timestamp that allows them to be reconstructed in the correct order. Once they arrive at their destination, they are reassembled and converted from digital back into analog so that the receiving party can hear your voice.

In order for voice data to be transmitted without noticeable delays, a broadband Internet connection is necessary. Many households and businesses are already using broadband (either DSL or cable) so adding VoIP is relatively simple.

2/13/2007

VoIP service provider selection strategy (Canada,UK,USA,Germany)

VoIP service provider selection strategy

There are various basic selection strategies to choose the best VoIP service provider tailored to your needs.

1. If you live in a country with fierce competiiton between Broadband or VoIP service providers, such as the UK, Germany, Canada or the USA and you only make local or national calls then it is fairly easy. Use our database to choose the cheapest monthly package, which suits your calling needs. This could be either a Pay-as-you-go package or a package with 250, 500, 1000 minutes or unlimited calls per month. The differences in price are not that big, making the selection process a little difficult because of the wide variety of options.

Check to see that the 911 service is offered and even LNP (Local Number Portability), letting you keep you existing telephone number. Most US Broadband VoIP providers offer a free ATA when you sign up, but check the fine print. Some charge you a high cancellation fee if you have not subscribed to their service for 12 months or more. Others let you bring your own device (BYOD). This gives you the flexibilty to change VoIP providers if you are not satisfied with a particular service.

Maybe even choose a VoIP provider with a special offer (first month or even two months for free) to test their service for a month before taking the final decision.

2. If you live in a fiercely competitive country and tend make quite a number of international calls then you would have to change your selection criteria. Make a list of international destinations you call most frequently and check to see if any VoIP service provider has a monthly package, which includes these countries. A few VoIP providers offer package deals with a selection of 20, 30 or 40 countries and destinations included. This may become a little pricey, so again think about the amount of calls you make on a regular basis.

Should you only make calls to a one or two international destinations then the selection process becomes far more simple. Use our VoIP search engine to find the broadband provider with the cheapest call rates to a certain country, check their packages and sign up.

3. If you live in a country with very limited competion or even Telecom monopolies then you may want to choose a PC to Phone provider, such as Skype (not the cheapest, but the best known), Stanaphone, VoIP Buster, Globe7 and others. There are hundreds of VoIP companies out in the international market and making your choice is quite difficult. Again draw up a list of international destinations you call most frequently and if you wish test the cheapest to see if they are up to your expectations.

There are various other options to consider, depending on which country you live in.

You may want to choose a provider offering a virtual number in a certain country. This would allow you to publish and use this number although you may be thousands of miles away. For example if you have a virtual number in Switzerland your customers and friends can call this number in Switzerland and your phone will ring wherever you are in the world. This is a very interesting feature and only possible with VoIP services.

If you make regular conference calls, then you must ensure that your VoIP Provider offers this facility.
etc., etc., etc.

VoIP CANADA