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How does VOIP (voice over IP) work?

Published 08/24/2005 05:07 PM   |    Updated 04/07/2009 02:20 AM
How does VOIP (voice over IP) work?

VOIP (Voice Over IP)

VOIP, or Voice over Internet Protocol, is a method for taking analog audio signals, like the kind  heard when talking on the phone, and turning them into digital data that can be transmitted over the Internet. How is this useful? VOIP can turn a standard Internet connection into a way to place phone calls. It bypasses the phone company (and its charges) entirely.

Benefits:

There are two major reasons to use VOIP:

  • Lower Cost

    • In general, phone service via VOIP costs less than equivalent service from traditional sources. This is largely a function of traditional phone services either being monopolies or government entities. There are also some cost savings due to using a single network to carry voice and data.

    • This is especially true when users have existing under-utilized network capacity that they can use for VOIP without any additional costs. While there is a cost for their Internet service, using VOIP over this service may not involve any extra charges, so the users view the calls as free.

  • Increased Functionality:

    • VOIP makes easy some things that are difficult to impossible with traditional phone networks. Incoming phone calls are automatically routed to the phone where ever it plugs into the network.

Requirements:

  • An MTA device is required to turn analog phone signals into digital signals that can be sent over the Internet. This function can either be included into the phone itself or in a separate box.

  • Broadband service connection package greater than 128KB (up).

  • A cable modem.

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