Voip

VoIP is a revolutionary technology in the communication industry. VoIP which stands for Voice over Internet Protocol is a method of converting the voice signal from your telephone into digital signal that travels over the internet. VoIP sends voice data in packets using IP rather than traditional circuit transmissions.

One of the well known VoIP provider is perhaps Vonage. Vonage is a commercial voice over IP network that provides telephone service using a broadband connection. Based in Edison, New Jersey, Vonage offers services to subscribers throughout the United States. It expanded into Canada in April 2004, and into the United Kingdom in early 2005.Vonage offers unlimited calling to the US and Canada for a flat monthly fee, with other calls to the US and Canada being charged at the same domestic rate.

Only two things are required for a VOIP call from a home. One is a broadband connection. The second is an Analog Telephone Adaptor (ATA), which plugs into a home phone. The ATA is needed so you can make broadband calls without having to turn on your computer and also for better quality than you will get with a headset connected to your computer. Vonage uses a Cisco ATA to serve as a link between normal telephone and system router. User's found it easy to install the Vonage hardware. Once you plug in the AC adapter, telephone cord, and Ethernet cable you are basically good to go. After Vonage reconfigures the ATA with your number, you can start making phone calls.

There are two major reasons to use VoIP: lower cost and increased functionality. VoIP is less expensive because it routes telecom traffic over the internet instead of through the public switched telephone network as a result telecom costs on a per-call basis can be significantly lower. Even though there is a cost for internet service, using VOIP over this service may not involve any extra charges, so the users view the calls as free.

With VoIP you can also get more features. Current VoIP service providers offer all-inclusive calling plans that provide consumers with unlimited local, regional and long distance flat rates at costs that are significantly cheaper than PSTN services. Additionally, VoIP services include features such as name and number caller ID, call forwarding, call blocking, and voice mail as standard features. Whereas, traditional phone companies typically charge premiums for these features. According to CNet.com editor Neil Randall says voice quality is so good that it can easily replace a traditional phone line. While some providers only provide e-mail customer service, Vonage offers both online and phone support.

Business and consumers are already taking advantage of the cost savings and new features however some larger companies are withdrawing away from VOIP because it costs too much to replace their telephone systems. Since large companies have a large capital investment they cannot afford to get rid of their