Technology Metro

Voice over Internet Protocol, also known as VoIP, is a rapidly growing technology which utilizes a local area network (LAN) and an internet service to make phone calls, rather than utilizing traditional phones and network cables.

A major benefit of VoIP is the major savings on long-distance phone calls. Whether the call placement is to a local line or across the globe, the cost is the same because it is transferred over an internet medium. This is possible through voice conversion to data and the transfer of information over the internet to a VoIP phone on the other end. Although there are many options, the most current popular form is the ATA, or analog telephone adapter. This allows you to plug your regular telephone into a converter which then reworks to analog information to digital data. Some of the more popular VoIP services such as Vonage provide a free ATA with the service. In most other service plans, the ATA is sold separately. In either situation, the set up is fairly simple.

Another option for a VoIP is to purchase an IP phone. For major companies with many traditional phones, this option may not be as cost saavy. Although IP phones look very similar, they are connected by an Ethernet cable directly into the router. And for mobile use, WiFi phones are available for plugging into hotspots.

A third option is to plug directly into a VoIP service through your PC. Special software can be used to send and receive calls through your computer. In most cases, the VoIP subscription can be used from any computer at any location, given the software of course. A microphone, speakers, and a sound card are also necessary for this option.

VoIP technology can also connect through other communications media such as wireless VoWLAN, saving airtime minutes and email, so that a client may access voicemail through their email clients.