The Basics Of Voip

Writen by Will Thomas

VoIP, also known as Voice over Internet Protocol, is a new technology that utilizes the routing of voice conversations over the Internet. Basically, individuals can now use their broadband Internet connections to place phone calls rather than using their traditional phone lines. Ideally, the sound quality is the same as that of a standard telephone line and therefore the people on the other end of the phone call will never know the difference.

The technology, though complex, is quite direct. The VoIP provider takes the regular, analog voice conversations and converts them into data that can then be sent across the Internet using a high-speed broadband connection. At the other end of the call, the data is converted back into an analog signal that the conventional telephone system can deliver to the person whose number was initially dialed. All of this is accomplished seamlessly while using normal telephones at both ends. In other words, you don't have to speak through your computer's microphone in order to get the most out of VoIP services.

There are many advantages to switching over to a VoIP service, but the biggest one is cost. For the most part, long-distance and international calls will be significantly less expensive for individuals using a VoIP service rather than a traditional long-distance or international plan. Most VoIP service providers also offer a number of additional free features already established with traditional phone plans, such as Call Waiting, Caller ID, Voicemail and more.

There are other advantages as well. For example, because of the convergence between your VoIP phone service and the Internet, some providers will even allow you to receive Voicemail messages as email attachments. Also, if you have a cable broadband connection, you may be able to keep your current telephone number as well.

Signing up for a VoIP plan is actually quite simple. Really, all you need is a broadband Ethernet connection such as DSL or cable, any touch-tone phone (corded or cordless) and a credit or debit card with a U.S. billing and shipping address. Your VoIP provider will supply you with the proper phone adapter upon signing up, usually at no additional cost. As for the person on the other end of the call, all they need is a regular phone. They don't need to use a VoIP service or even have an Internet connection for the call to go through.

Lastly, although VoIP calls are placed through your Internet connection, they will not affect your ability to use your computer. Thus, if you wish, you can continue to surf the web and send emails while you're on the phone. Also, because VoIP utilizes your Internet connection and not your computer, your computer does not even need to be turned on in order for you to place a call.

Will Thomas is a staff writer for useVoIP.org which is an online resource providing VoIP Information and Articles

Reduce Operating Costs Gain Efficiency And Compete Effectively With Voip

Writen by Hadi Shavarini

Imagine phones (that look like regular phones as we-know-it-today) connecting to the Internet via an Ethernet jack (similar to a PC) instead of the phone plug on the wall. These are called IP-based phones. These phones do not use analog phone lines - instead they get connected to the Internet. One would pick up the receiver and make a phone call just as it is done today and VoIP converts the human voice into IP packets (data similar to email data) and pushes it out through the Internet to the phone switch where it is terminated. In a nut shell, VoIP digitalizes voice into data packets, sending them and reconverting them back into voice at destination.

What are the benefits of VoIP and why you should consider it? To compete effectively in the eWorld, a decent businesses infrastructure MUST HAVE two essential components: A High-speed Internet connection and a sophisticated phone system.

Up until now, to build a solid infrastructure, small businesses had to spend lots of money for having multiple phone lines, perhaps an 800 line, fax line, credit card machine, to name a few. These days the ONLY essential component to worry about is having a reliable high-speed Internet connection. Connectivity can be addressed with either cable or DSL service (typically $250 per month) through cable providers such as Comcast, RCN, etc. and DSL can be provided through the Verizons of the world. The good news is that with the arrival of VoIP, there is no need to pay a dime for multiple phone lines, any phone system (PBX), any local/long distance calls, phone maintenance, etc. At 30% to 50% less than the cost of a typical phone system, a VoIP system will provide a more sophisticated system with increased functionality than any analog phone system. It offers an enterprise-level system that was affordable ONLY by fortune 500 companies. Now small businesses can compete like big corporations at a fraction of the cost!

Small businesses are beginning to realize that IP-based phone system streamlines their communications needs and their call flow in ways that was not possible a year ago. As a result they can improve the customer experience and combined with wireless IP communications, employees can become completely mobile. The beauty of it is that IP enables the phone to be anywhere – this is a perfect solution for companies with remote/satellite offices who wish to have one uniform phone system for all employees regardless of their location.

There's a whole list of benefits unlocked by VoIP beyond the obvious. One of the most important advantages of using VoIP is reliable continuity. Imagine having a system that can stay operational through the Sept. 11 attacks in New York, or the August blackout and a whole list of building failures by the central phone system. In a typical VoIP system the main elements of the network are offsite, they're automatically protected from these sort of issues. Another benefit is, unlike a traditional phone system [Time-Division Multiplexed TDM], where the environment is a common point of failure, in a VoIP it is very easy to put in redundancy in which all clients connect to the outside world by more than one path. This guarantees phone connectivity and no call is ever lost.

IP telephony lowers the costs of communications system tremendously while increases productivity in more ways than one. Consider a world where ALL communications, including eMail, voice messages, conference calls, and/or even wireless devices can be integrated through a single system where employees, no matter of the location, can be contacted. For companies with multiple locations, VoIP system can eliminate the need for several receptionists – which is growing in popularity.

The benefits of VoIP are endless. It eliminates the need for having an expensive PBX system; it saves time and resources associated with the maintenance & supporting such systems; it removes the hassle of dealing with phone companies; on and on … while offering a superior phone system at 30 to 50% of the cost.

Hadi Shavarini is the General Manager and co-founder of Blue Robin Inc.- Building eBusiness Infrastructures. Blue Robin offers cost effective enterprise-level VoIP systems. Hadi Shavarini has been involved with VoIP development since 2002. http://www.bluerobininc.com

Voice Over Ip Saving Money

Writen by Greg Richburg

I was on a tech support call with a client in Australia for over forty-five minutes. Guess how much that cost me. If I told you less than a dollar, would you believe it? Well it is true indeed.

I called my friend in England just the other day. We talked for about half an hour and it didn't cost either of us a nickel. Free and clear as crystal, I used my computer. Nothing fancy, just a simple sound card, speakers and microphone is all I needed.

If you haven't heard about Voice over IP yet, you most definitely will soon. There are several different methods to the crazed digital telephony protocol that could change the way you make calls and save you a bundle.

What is VOIP?

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is the concept for managing the delivery of voice information in digital format through the Internet rather then conventional voice telephone lines. In the simplest form, VoIP turns any computer into a telephone.

Although there are complex and costly ways to do this in the enterprise level, there are also simple, nearly free ways do use VoIP on the personal level. All that's required is a broadband Internet connection of some type. Now I am not here to advertise for any single organization selling VoIP equipment or services, but just to let you know, there are some that offer very nice package deals with equipment, Internet phones, headsets and all the fixings of standard enterprise phone systems. There are also software based systems that operate like your everyday chat systems and require only computer speakers and a microphone.

Why would I want this?

One major advantage of VoIP and Internet telephony is that it avoids the tolls charged by ordinary telephone services that use the standard public switched telephone network. Sure Pac Bell and ATT don't like the sounds of that, not unless they figure out how to jump on the bandwagon and capitalize on this somewhat new form of technology.

Actually VoIP has been around for a while, yet it is starting to pick up speed now as an alternative means of communication. And the primary reason is that it will save you money.

Another money saving fact about VoIP is that since VoIP utilizes your broadband Internet connection for its delivery, customers do not pay Federal USF and FCC Line Charges and pay lower Federal Excise Tax.

WI-FI and VoIP

Now we're getting serious! Where is this going? Can it really compete with the cell phone? Well, at this time the wireless technology has some security risks and setup difficulties to overcome before it becomes a significant player in the game. But on a local, enterprise level, we are not far off.

What is the bottom line?

If you are tired of lofty telephone bills, perhaps there is a solution for you that will help with this years budget. You don't need to transform your entire phone system to utilize the benefits of VoIP. Start small and learn its potential.

A Rule for the Road:

Keep up with technology or else technology will pass you by; and the ignorance will cost you more than you will know.

Greg Richburg runs KlickCommerce, a web based marketing system for Women's clothing. He is a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer and the owner of Netricks, Inc. a network consulting, web design and hosting company located in Fresno, CA.

View his work at http://www.klickcommerce.com.
Visit Netricks at http://www.netricks.com
559-431-3775

The Skype Approach To Voip A Review Of Skype

Writen by Hamesh Brown

With internet usage reaching almost every country, and economic class, and with its permeation throughout the western world, applications designed to harness its potential in ever more practical ways are constantly arising. One such application is Voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP), which continues to challenge its own limitations. There are a few leading players who are jostling for supremacy, including Yahoo! Messenger, MSN Messenger, Skype, and Vonage.

Recently, there have been many converts to Skype, including this reviewer. There are several factors that have influenced my own personal move, but my primary motivations were innovation, quality, and marketability. VoIP has always been an application that is easily marketable, and Skype has added innovative features that are quality-rich:

• SkypeOut, where you can use your computer to call ordinary phone numbers all over the world. The global SkypeOut rate is currently 1.7 Euro Cent (about 2 US cents or 1.1 pence) per minute to more than 20 countries.

• SkypeIn, which is a virtual phone number your friends can call. This is in beta testing at the time of writing this review, but the 12-month subscription is available for € 30 and 3 months for € 10.

• Skype Voicemail, which lets you redirect calls to your voicemail, is available at € 5 for 3 months or € 15 for the year.

However, the most widespread application of Skype is PC-to-PC calls. Any user can make free calls over the Internet to anyone else who also has Skype. It is a simple wizard-based process to download and use the application, and works via your broadband connection with operating systems based on Microsoft Windows, Mac, Linux, and Pocket PCs. All you need is a PC microphone and speakers or a basic USB headset, and what you get is a real-time, telephone-quality voice conversation with any PC end-user in the world. I found the downloading to be extremely simple and straightforward and imagine that anyone, no matter your computer fluency will find it easy as well.

In addition to its ease of setup, the features of Skype are really impressive. There is a facility to search the Skype database, so that you are able to build a list of contacts. We have used Skype for Windows 1.4 for a PC-to-PC conversation between Los Angeles and Mumbai (India), and there was no recorded break in the half-hour call. The clarity was definitely on par with a normal telephone, perhaps even better, with no noticeable time lag. On subsequent calls between these destinations and other US cities including Chicago, the quality continues to amaze us, and the fact that Skype works in most environments, irrespective of firewalls or NAT, widens its reach.

So, what's the downside? A comparative analysis will help clarify the situation. For a start, Skype does not offer as many calling features as other service providers like Vonage. Then, there have been question marks about the technical/customer support offered by Skype. Another point where Skype loses out is the quality of the SkypeOut package, where the calls made to landlines are of inconsistent quality. One hopes that Skype can add video chat to its repertoire in the near future, which will place Skype on an equal standing with other free VoIP providers like Yahoo! Messenger and MSN Messenger, which already have video capabilities. Skype is undoubtedly ahead of both MSN and Yahoo in terms of voice quality and the real-time conversation experience. On the other side of the spectrum, Vonage offers feature-rich services and better customer service, although all this comes at a price.

My Overall Assessment: Vonage is a better option than Skype for traditional telephone users because Skype is totally computer-dependent and caters to consumers who are "living out of their computers."

The future has a lot to offer, and undoubtedly Skype will move forward in its evolutionary process, and hopefully improve SkypeOut and emerge successfully out of beta testing for SkypeIn. However, for the moment, Skype is arguably the best option for free PC-to-PC calls. Skype says that the "current focus is to make the best voice-application on the planet"—judging from user feedback around the world, Skype has already gone a long distance towards that objective.

Hamesh Brown enjoys writing about VoIP. See http://www.voipreviewsonline.com/2005/10/skype_review_1.html for another Skype review.

Voip 3 Ways To Make The Call

Writen by Michael Weaver

We're hearing a lot about Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) these days. I for one am a big fan of this technology. Did you know that you could actually use VoIP in 3 different ways? That's right! There are really 3 different ways that you can 'make the call'. Ok, you can actually receive the call 3 different ways as well.

First up is probably the most popular. I use this way myself and most of the residential providers out there today use this as well. What is it?

ATA – Analog Telephone Adapter

Your normal phone plugs into an ATA that you received from your VoIP provider. This is the most common way to get hooked into VoIP. This device takes care of all the magic that occurs when you make and receive your calls over your broadband connection. Your analog phone signal must be converted to digital to be routed through your broadband connection and this ATA does the job.

IP Phone – Internet Protocol Phones

As the name would imply, these are 'special' phones. You wouldn't know it by looking at them. They look like normal phones. What is different about these phones is the electronics inside them and the fact they don't take a 'regular' phone cable (RJ-11). Instead these phones take an Ethernet cable connection (RJ-45) and also come equipped with the necessary electronics to plug directly into your router.

Computer-to-Computer

This is the oldest and possibly the easiest way to get plugged into VoIP. Here instead of using your normal phone or IP phone to make calls through your broadband connection, you use your computer itself! (You could do this over dial-up, but broadband is certainly better) There are a number of services available that offer no cost or low cost service. You'll need the software and a microphone to speak into and speakers to hear from and of course your computer and a high-speed internet connection. Some providers offer this service for free when their software is being used on both ends of the call.

Watch out for Wi-Fi (using IP phones) and other advancements in VoIP technology. We truly are on the verge of a major breakthrough in telecommunications. So, what are you waiting for? Make the call!

Provided by the FullService Broadband Provider - http://www.fullservice-broadband-provider We provide unbiased and informative information on broadband and communication products and services. Our free service is possible through Try Right Technology, Inc. http://www.trighttech.com Copyright 2006

Vegastream Connecting Voip To Existing Telephone Systems

Writen by Helen Upsher

A misconception because after all, VoIP and Internet Telephony use a completely different signalling system to traditional telephony. Therefore a different device must be required to convert those signals into the sounds that make up a telephone conversation. However, it is now possible to install a device; a VoIP gateway between the IP network and existing phone systems that converts the signalling from one to the other.

The VoIP gateway has two distinct roles. The first is to convert the signal so that a person using an IP device can talk to one on a traditional TDM device and vice versa. The second role is to manage the network signalling and routing.

For example, all IP devices, including phones, have an IP address while traditional telephones, even extensions on a company phone system, have their traditional telephone number. If a company has connected its traditional telephone system to an IP network, then incoming calls from the IP network will be looking for an IP address. The gateway's job is to recognise the traditional telephone to which that IP address has been allocated and route the call accordingly.

This is just one simple example. Professional-class VoIP gateways, will translate all the sophisticated functions that have been developed in the traditional phone systems such as call forwarding and conferencing.

The better VoIP gateways also feature "pass through". This function recognises the fact that for all its functional advantages and ability to save money, IP telephony is susceptible to catastrophic failure. For example, IP telephony requires a discrete power source, unlike the phones that will keep working even when the lights are turned off. For emergencies, therefore, an enterprise will want to keep at least one phone in each premise attached to the public switched telephone network (PSTN). For example with VegaStream's "pass through" this phone is connected the IP network until that network fails at which time it automatically connects to the PSTN.

The Benefits

Cost

With a VoIP gateway, a company can make telephone calls between sites at no cost using the IP data wide area network that it has installed to connects its computer systems. It can also use a gateway to connect its existing telephone systems to an Internet Telephony Service Provider (ITSP). ITSP's use the Internet to radically reduce customers' telephone bills. In both scenarios, employees would use their telephones as normal. There is no training costs, just a significant reduction in the phone bill.

Flexibility

Enterprises are beginning to recognise the advantages of a fully converged communications solution. This is where all electronic communications – voice, data, video, instant messaging and email – all pass over a single network. This technology allows for highly efficient and content rich collaboration and interaction and is becoming the de facto standard in customer facing contact centres.

However, while there may be a strong business case for converged communications in the contact centre, the same may not be said for the broader organisation where the significant costs of the existing telephone system may yet to be written off. In these scenarios, the VoIP gateway will provide the solution for a company that wants to make a partial, and gradual, commitment to new converged technology, for example the company can mix and match traditional and IP telephone systems yet all use the telephones as usual.

The VoIP gateway is the essential bridge between today's telephone system and the future of converged communications.

Formed in 1998, VegaStream is one of the most experienced players in the industrial VoIP market. The company supplies gateway CPE to both traditional telecommunications carriers and the new generation of Internet telephony service providers. VegaStream also serves the enterprise market through a global network of distributors and resellers supported by regional offices in the UK, USA and Australia. VegaStream is a non-listed UK company. Investors include the management team, Pace Micro Technology PLC and MTI Partners.

http://www.vegastream.com

What If Someone Spits On You

Writen by Lance Winslow

It use to be if someone spit on you it was in grade school and some dumb kid spit, but these young and restless tikes have now grown up and they are actively involved in the computer industry. They are SPIT'ing on you still, this time on your new VoIP Telephony Service. What is SPIT, well it is SPAM over IP Telephony. Basically they are sending you unwanted adds. But the Do Not Call Lists do not go there. And the SPAM law is not applicable to VoIP, thus they are in loophole land, just like in the ole'school yard days.

What can you do to reduce SPIT'ing? Well in this country we do not cane people like they do in Singapore and it will probably be nine-months until the Federal Trade Commission has a few committee/party meetings to draft a regulation and come up with a mission statement. Then another 3-months until they define what SPIT is. What does all this mean? Well it means all the people who signed up for Vonage VoIP service will get SPIT. So for those who switched to a new phone system for long distance for $29.95 per month are now going to wonder why. Can you imagine getting 100 Voice Mail SPITs per day and you have to listen to the beginning to delete them just to get your Voice Mail? Likewise the incoming wads of SPIT or batches of SPAM over IP Telephony could disrupt your telephone? Oh great, what will be next? We have SPAM, SPIT and next thing you know all we will have SH_T? SPAM Harassment Internet Troubles. Think on this.

Lance Winslow

The Real Basics Of Voip

Writen by Neil Day

If you haven't been on a trip to the moon or have been lost in the deep dark depths of the amazon rain forest, then you MUST have come across the term VoIP? VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol and it is the ability to transmit voice over the Internet to either a receiving computer or telephone.

VoIP uses what is referred to as the Packet Switching Network. Standard landline telephones use the Circuit Switching Network. The entire landline telephone system uses what is known as PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network).

Are you confused? Here is a simple explanation. The main difference between Packet Switching (the system used by VoIP) and Circuit Switching (the standard telephone system), is that Packet Switching makes use of sending (data) or Packets over the Internet while Circuit Switching uses electrical circuits to enable telephones to make a connection. If you can picture the old switchboard operators, wearing headsets frantically trying to connect the right caller with the correct receiver then this is what Circuit Switching is like. Packet Switching is used to transfer data at high speeds all around the Internet.

Packet Switching converts audio formats into small byte sized data packets and transmits them at high speed over the Internet. It then reassembles them on the other person's phone or computer in real time.

A simple form of VoIP is used with many free Instant Messaging programs. Instant Messaging programs have been utilizing the science of VoIP technology for years. A computer user can download an Instant Messaging program, connect their computer speakers and a microphone, and make a free long distance (or international) call to another pc user. Many Instant Messaging programs are incorporating VoIP services. You can use Yahoo Messenger, AOL, Skype, ICQ, MSN, and Google to make pc-to-pc free phone calls.

Believe it or not, VoIP technology is NOT relatively new it has been around for a while now; it is just becoming more and more popular as day to day computer users are discovering how easy it is to use. In the late 1990's, programs were springing up across the Internet offering some form of free VoIP technology. Most of those are either no longer existent or now charge a standard monthly service fee for the use of their product. But one thing remains certain, VoIP is producing higher standards of quality every day, and it has certainly proved that it is a viable force for telecommunication needs for the future.

Many telephone companies are expanding to allow for monthly VoIP services. Companies such as Sprint, Verizon, and AOL are all offering VoIP plans.

VoIP is also prized for its ability to integrate many forms of telecommunication applications into one package. VoIP can handle data, audio, video, E-Mail, and web based applications simultaneously. Just imagine - with your voice enabled Instant Messaging program, you can hook up a web cam and use video, while you are speaking with your buddy on your microphone and listening to them with your speakers, and you can type back and forth with your chat program. You could also write an email while you are doing all of these other tasks at the same time.

This makes VoIP extremely viable to businesses. It is also a cost effective choice of telephone service. The potential for VoIP'S use is nearly limitless.

VoIP telephone service providers are becoming more popular as well. Many people are now starting to realise the benefits available to them by switching to VoIP. First, VoIP costs significantly less than the standard telephone service, and this is a great attraction for bringing in new customers. Many VoIP service plans will let you make unlimited long distance calls or provide you with a plan for very inexpensive rates.

Many of the paid for features that are often included with traditional PSTN land line telephone services are often included free of charge with VoIP services. These include features such as Call Waiting, Call Forwarding, Call Block, Three-Way- Calling, Voice Mail, and more.

Here is another great benefit to VoIP services which is proving very popular with customers. Many VoIP service providers will let you keep your existing phone number, or at the very least, will allow you to select a new area code. This option has great appeal to many people. Just think, now you can select an area code for the same town where most of your friends or family live. By choosing this area code, not only are you still getting a great deal with your VoIP services, but now your family and friends will save money whenever they call. For them, all calls to you will be billed as a local and not a long distance call.

VoIP has proved that it is a viable force in the field of telecommunications, we can be sure that VoIP is here to stay.

For more information, news and resources about VoIP, Skype and Internet telephones, please visit How VoIP Works.

Do You Have Your Voipbroadband Phone Yet

Writen by Michael Lemm

Broadband VoIP allows you to add a phone line to your home or office with a local phone number in just about any major U.S. city.... and with some vendors also in several countries such as the UK and Israel.

Here are some ways Businesses and families with geographical distances between them can take advantage of BroadBand Phone/VoIP:

1. Parents can add an additional line with a local number so their college son or daughter can always call home without the expense of long distance rates.

2. A family in Florida can bring up a local number in Minnesota where the rest of the family resides. Family members in Minnesota now dial a local number and reach the relatives in Florida with no long distance charges because the call is local for those in Minnesota, and only the party in Florida needs to have broadband service to receive the calls.

3. This technology can also help military families stay connected. VoIP is not restricted by global boundaries. A U.S. soldier in another country with a broadband connection can set up service with unlimited in bound calls that are local to his family in the U.S. His family then can make unlimited calls to him at no cost and his family in the U.S. doesn't need to have broadband access. Plus any calls they make home are either "local" or are made with an unlimited flat rate plan. That saves a ton of money.

4. Traveling executives can also take advantage of VoIP as a portable phone that can be taken along on any business trip. Many hotels will provide broad band access today. Simply plug the IP phone into the broadband connection in the hotel room. Your family and customers can now call on a local number. In addition you can still take advantage of out bound service and make calls from the room as well.

5. Businesses can drastically reduce costs from traditional calling services.... with flat rate plans which cover all of the US & Canada and often including Europe &/or Asia also.

For an easy way to compare available VoIP phone options in your area (US only) browse through the vendor review info available at Broadband Reports. This info is updated frequently with new input from their Forum members. Be advised that not all providers may be included as only those having received a member review will be listed.

Michael is the owner of FreedomFire Communications....including DS3-Bandwidth.com and Business-VoIP-Solution.com. Michael also authors Broadband Nation where you're always welcome to drop in and catch up on the latest BroadBand news, tips, insights, and ramblings for the masses.

Sip Telephony Another Way To Save Money

Writen by Kevin Whales

Just when you thought using your PC couldn't possibly get any more complicated, along comes SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) with VoIP (Voice-Over Internet Protocol) technology.

VoIP is well on its way to becoming the "next big thing" as it allows you to make telephone calls using the Internet for a fraction of the cost of regular phone usage. Don't think that's making the major telephone companies nervous? Read on... because you haven't seen anything yet...

Seemingly overnight, VoIP appeared. And when it did, the whole concept of making a cheap PC to phone call (for pennies) became the big business. Quicker than you can say, "Who needs an e-mail or chat?" the IP phone (IP - Internet Protocol) became a reality. The IP is data-oriented computer technology used for communicating data across a packet-switched inter-network. In other words, think of it as the PC version of the old operator at a switchboard patching phone calls back and forth.

IP technology evolved into VoIP - Voice-Over-Internet Protocol - which allows PC users to make telephone calls using a computer-data network like the Internet. VoIP converts the voice signal from your telephone into a digital signal that travels over the Internet and later converts it back at the other end so you can speak to anyone with a regular phone number. And guess what - VoIP technology costs not pennies, but fractions of pennies to use. The VoIP providers paved the way to this new frontier of making cheap phone calls and many independent telephone companies quickly jumped on the bandwagon. Business VoIP and residential VoIP plans are available to PC users in a number of inexpensive packages but SIP makes this service much more simply and friendly.

Obviously, a lot of telephone empires are sweating bullets over this. Some companies have even claimed that the entire SIP/IP/VoIP concept is akin to patent infringement. That won't hold up in a court of law. You can't patent broadband communication any more than you can patent gasoline. Telephony VoIP is here to stay and evolving faster than PC users can assimilate the information.

VoIP technology is making the term the Internet phone a household word. But for the most part it's still an untapped market. Computers have long since replaced typewriters, but there are still millions of men and women who don't have a clue that their PC can be used for local phone service or even better - to slash the costs of long distance phone service.

Thanks to SIP VoIP providers with BYOD (see below), a prepaid phone card is becoming a thing of the past. PC to phone communication and the concept of the Internet phone service is kicking major phone companies in the pants.

BYOD - short for Bring Your Own Device - is fast becoming the term of choice among phone system VoIP users. BYOD is used to describe a type of VoIP subscription. (Carrier VoIP subscribers who have their own VoIP device can take advantage of a cheaper SIP/VoIP subscription plan). The solution VoIP and carrier VoIP subscriber plans generally cost less than $20.00 a month for unlimited broadband phone use.

SIP telephony is creating the new phone system of choice. It was bound to happen. Computer technology has integrated with every part of our lives and the PC as a way to make a cheap phone call is only the latest step in technology's progression.

IP, VoIP, SIP and other strange words which help us to make phone calls cheaper

Voipnet Phone Revolution

Writen by Yolanda McDonald

Have you seen them? The commercials about Net phones and how they can save you a ton of money on long-distance? Okay, so now you want to know how it works, what's in it for you, are there any hidden charges that will have me paying the same if not more per month than my current, reliable land-line phone, Am I going to sound like E.T. attempting to phone home on this thing and what are they not telling me that could nix the whole deal? Well, here you are.

How it works:

VOIP or Voice Over Internet Protocol, is just that. Your voice is sent in what are known as packets, accross the internet and re-assembled at the receiving end. Kind of like that machine in the "The Fly", only a lot more stable (no incects messing up your DNA or anything). You plug your internet connection (which must be broadband, DSL or Cable) into your modem (as usual), you then plug the modem into your adapter, and then connect your adapter to your other devices (Phone, Fax, Computer).

Not that difficult, but since configurations vary from provider to provider,I urge you to check it out yourself.

What's in if for you:

Lower prices. Truthfully, VOIP delivers on it's promise of lower prices. There are taxes and fees, but they will only bump your final monthly bill about 2 to 3 dollars. Quality, still lags behind land line, but that is to be expected. What is not to be expected how far VOIP quality has come in a short amount of time. Many people never notice a difference between speaking to someone using VOIP and speaking to someone using land line technology (See "Net Phones Grow Up" by Jeff Betolucci and Tom Kortie, PC World, September 2005).

What Are They Not Telling Me That Could Nix the Whole Deal?

There are a couple of concerns with VOIP. One is that, with VOIP relying on an internet connection, if your internet connection is down for some reason, you have no phone. The other concern is 911. 911 systems and VOIP vendors have not been playing nice in the sandbox. Fortunately, E911 is being enforced by the FCC and all VOIP vendors must provide 911 service that rivals that of landline users by November 28, 2005. So, basically, the second issue is no longer an issue.

What's the difference between Net Phones and a Service like Skype?

Skype requires a PC for both users. It is PC to PC communication. There is no true "Phone", while Net Phone uses your phone and a portable adapter. The adapter can be taken on the road and used anywhere you find a high-speed connection. Skype is not a replacement for your current phone service, net phone is. You can bypass the phone company completely. You don't end up paying for services that the phone company charges you for, like voicemail, 3-Way calling, Call-Forwarding, etc.,; these fees are all covered in your $25-$40 a month for unlimited calls.

Economically, VOIP makes sense. You get comparable quality for a much lower price and more standard features. Hopefully this will help you make a more informed decision or at the very least help you decide if VOIP is right for you or your small/home business.

Yolanda McDonald is Business Systems Analyst in Baltimore, MD. She has 15 years of experience in programming, design and analysis on several platforms including Midrange, Client/Server and the Internet. You can find more of her articles at http://www.ymcdonald.com.

Voip Is Good But

Writen by Stuart Simpson

VOIP – the new Internet phone – stands for Voice Over Internet Protocol. What this means, is you use your broadband internet connection to make phone calls. Sounds really good, especially since it has free long distance and its only $25 a month. But there are 2 major drawbacks.

911 Service doesn't work like a landline phone. In some areas, it doesn't work at all. There are severe risks to consumers thinking 911 can save them in an emergency, but the internet phone doesn't work that way. Be careful or review your plan to make sure you understand how the 911 service works. The FCC has been on these companies to straighten this out or inform consumers of the risks.

The 2nd problem seems minor compared to the above, but I don't like being tied to my PC when making a call, even if I'm wearing a headset. www.ipero.com makes a real cool $30 phone that plugs into my USB and works like a regular phone. Its lightweight has a mute and speed dial, and the sound is great. Its compact and I can take it on the road with me. Many VOIP phones only work with PC's, but this one works with a Mac, too.

There are still some concerns with VOIP technology, but once the companies get around them, the consumers will have a great product. Besides, at $25 a month, you can overlook a lot of issues.

Stuart Simpson http://www.voip-telephony-review.com/

Pros And Cons Of Getting Voip Right Now

Writen by Ron King

You have a telephone, right? You have a computer, right? You want to save money, right? BAM, you are a VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) candidate.

It is inevitable that VOIP will replace traditional telephone service at some point. The only question is when should you jump in?

VOIP is quickly becoming more reliable and receiving wider acceptance. In fact, phone companies are already taking advantage of the technology to provide cheaper long distance rates. Like any emerging technology, however, there are kinks in the system that are still being worked out.

Advantages

VOIP has many advantages over regular phone service. One primary advantage is its low cost. If you have a fast Internet connection (DSL or cable), you can make PC-to-PC phone calls anywhere in the world FREE. PC-to-phone connections usually have a charge, but probably still cheaper than regular phone service.

You can sign up with a VOIP service provider for a monthly fee and get unlimited calls within a specified geographic area. For example, some VOIP services in the United States allow connections anywhere in North America for no extra charge. International calls are charged at a modest rate.

Another advantage is its portability. You can make and receive phone calls wherever there is a broadband connection by simply signing in to your VOIP account. This makes VOIP as convenient as e-mail. When you're traveling, you simply pack a headset or Internet phone; then you can talk to family or colleagues for next to nothing.

Phone-to-phone VOIP is also portable. Internet phones are small and light enough to take anywhere. When you sign up with a VOIP service provider, the Internet phone or adaptor used by that service is assigned a unique number. This 'phone number' remains valid, even if your VOIP service is in Los Angeles and you're connected to the Internet in London. When plugged into a broadband connection, anywhere in the world, you can make and receive calls as though you were at home .

Features like call forwarding, call waiting, voicemail, caller ID and 3way-calling, are included with Internet telephone at no extra charge. While you're talking on the phone, you can send pictures and documents at the same time.

Disadvantages

There are a few glitches that still interfere with the technology's broad acceptance by the public. Lack of continuous service during power outages and emergency calling are the 2 biggest hurdles.

Conventional phone service continues by the current supplied through the phone lineduring a blackout. This isn't possible with Internet phones. When the power goes, there goes VOIP service. Battery backups and power generators that provide electricity are the current solutions to this problem.

A major concern involves emergency 911 calls. For the most part, VOIP services aren't useful in emergencies. Traditional phone equipment can trace the locations of calls. Emergency calls are diverted to the nearest call center where the operator can identify your location, in the event you can't talk. With VOIP, there is no way currently to determine where Internet calls are originating. There is an emerging standard called e911 however, which is attempting to solve this limitation.

VOIP also has sound quality and reliability problems. Data sent across the Internet usually arrives at its destination scrambled. E-mail and documents can be reassembled in the correct order when it arrives. Voice data also arrives scrambled, but it's more complicated because of the real-time nature of VOIP. Some data packets may have to be dropped when they don't arrive in time, in order to make voice connections with the least delay. This can cause brief silences in the audio stream.

Distance and speed of the connection determine the amount of data lost. Some networks receive more traffic and thus are more likely to cause audio dropouts. One way to provide high quality audio connections is to create dedicated data paths.

With the incredible amount of work dedicated to VOIP, these disadvantages will no doubt be resolved withinin the next 2 years. It is expected that by then VOIP will have widespread consumer acceptance.

Ron King is a full-time researcher, writer, and web developer. Visit voip-solutions-now to learn more about this subject.

Copyright 2005 Ron King. This article may be reprinted if the resource box is left intact.

Internet Phone Service The Low Cost Alternative For Keeping In Touch

Writen by Michael Brito

Are you always looking for ways to save money without cutting back on the things that make you happy? Do you like to talk on the phone until your mouth is as dry as the desert sand? If you answered yes to these questions, then internet phone service is an ideal fit for you. It works over a high-speed internet connection and allows you to keep in touch with family and friends all over the world for pennies.

In order to enjoy the money saving benefits of internet phone service, you must have a high-speed internet connection, either broadband or DSL. Most Internet Phone Service Providers will then send you a Broadband Phone Adapter, or BPA (a device that resembles a modem) that will plug directly into a modem/router. Then, all you have to do is plug your existing phone into the adapter and you can start making calls. The set-up is really easy and usually takes less than five minutes for installation.

So, how much money are you really going to save with internet phone service versus traditional phone service? Most traditional phone companies usually charge between $20 and $30 a month for basic service. This doesn't include any features like voicemail, call waiting, 3-way calling, etc. Nor does it include any long distance charges. Add these features up and a normal phone bill would typically cost $50 a month.

With Internet Phone service, most providers charge between $20 and $25 a month. Not much difference than the traditional phone companies, right? Well, for this price you not only get all the features included, but unlimited calling in the United States and Canada as well. Not bad if you have friends and family living outside of your area code. Most consumers who use internet phone service can save as much as $500 a year and that is just the icing on the cake.

The cost savings of internet phone service is great. But even better is the ability to keep in touch with family and friends without the worries of high phone bills.

There are several internet phone service providers to choose from that offer good service. One is Packet8. They have great reviews and even have a 30-day money back guarantee in case you are not happy with their service.

Click here for more in-depth information about internet phone service. Michael Brito is an internet marketing consultant and freelance writer for a variety of consumer related products.

Getting Started With Voice Over Ip

Writen by Michael Bell

VoIP offers a great way to help you save money on your phone bill. With a few simple steps, you can be on your way to utilizing this new technology. Here are some tips that will help you find the best options for your needs:

Your Internet Connection - Shop around for the best deals on broadband service. There are many companies who offer either DSL or Cable Modems. Some people want to get the highest speed possible, even if it costs more. Others are concerned more about price than speed. There are enough options to satisfy your needs. Check out Comcast (www.comcast.com) and Verizon (www.verizon.com) for starters.

Decide on a service provider - Both Comcast and Verizon offer VoIP services. Other companies such as Vonage (www.vonage.com) or Lingo (www.lingo.com) only provide VoIP and its related products. Decide whether your connection is for business or home and pick the company and plan that makes the most sense. Companies such as Verizon offer a lot of options for a business of any size. Other companies only accommodate small businesses.

Do you use long distance on a regular basis? This is another thing to consider when choosing a provider. Most companies let you call throughout the US and other parts of North America as part of their rates and have a list of per-minute fees for long distance. Other companies, such as Lingo, also allow you to call countries in Western Europe as part of their packages.

Decide whether you want an IP phone or not. Do you want to keep your existing phone? Well, thanks to the analog telephone adapter you can. You can also purchase an IP phone. These come with the software already included inside. Just plug the Ethernet connection into your router and you are on your way to getting VoIP service.

Mike Bell is the webmaster of http://www.VoIP-Journal.com, a site devoted to providing users with VoIP news and information.

Voip Advantages And Disadvantges

Writen by Juston Garland

Advantages of VOIP services

You get to make free long distance calls, and you get all the free features such as caller id, call waiting, three-way calling, voice mail and more.

VOIP cost about half the cost of traditional phone services and it seems that the taxes and surcharges are much lower. Also your bill is easier to understand and it can be viewed via the Internet. You can track all of your incoming and outgoing calls and the minutes that you are using with real time reporting.

Great instant online and phone customer support that is far better than the service that you receive through the big companies. There are no holding problems, delays, or automated calls.

Disadvantages of VOIP services

Sometimes you hear an echo sound through your phone; it sounds like you are repeating yourself. Also if your cable or DSL goes out, so does your phone line.

There is no emergency reliability. Maybe you will never need it, but if you have to use 911, you have to give exact address and name. They have a hard time tracking where you are and this could cost you valuable seconds.

You must have a DSL router or a second computer set up to run a second phone line. With traditional phone services, a phone jack is in almost every room.

Research your choices

To view our recommended sources for voip and read more articles about voip, visit Nationwidebillrelief.com/voip.html

Use due diligence in order to make a wise choice in choosing your phone service. We hope this advice is helpful for you in making a sound choice on your home telephone service.

Juston Garland - Staff Writer for Nationwidebillrelief.com strives to help customers save money by describing his past and present situations and researched companies and internet experience.

Nationwidebillrelief.com

provides quick and easy access to the best deals available in Internet services, home loans, local and long distance services, home and auto insurance. Visitors can compare prices and find the providers that can best meet their needs and current budget - all for free.

Voip The New Age Telephone Service

Writen by Alen Wilson

In simple words, VoIP or Voice over Internet Protocol is a technology that allows one to make phone calls over a broadband internet connection. With the help of high speed internet connection and by installing certain VoIP software as well as hardware, people can talk unlimited at limited costs.

To make a call using VoIP technology you need:

Voip hardware :- VoIP hardware is basically an analogue telephone adaptor (ATA) which connects your phone to your broadband modem. This doesn't require your computer to be on while making or receiving calls. The most popular application of VoIP works only with an ATA. An ATA converts analog signals to digital signals. Most VoIP service providers include the ATA in their VoIP products, but some require you to buy or rent an ATA.

The other hardware based option is an IP phone, which is similar to a standard telephone but includes an in built ATA adapter. The IP phone is connected directly to the router with a standard RJ-45 Ethernet connector. You can purchase calling cards from your VoIP service provider to start talking through this medium.

VoIP software :- Software-based VoIP works a little differently. VoIP software like Skype, Asterik works through your computer with a microphone, and your computer has to be switched on to receive calls. The most basic VoIP software allows two people with the same installed software to call each other over the Internet. Callers can set up a phone book and can make calls to other users.

VoIP services are comparatively cheaper than traditional calls. So, the next time you want to make long distance phone calls or international calls use VoIP.

VoIP Phone service
Alen voip-traffic.com

Voipthe Truth And Myth

Writen by Michael Lemm

Don't be fooled into thinking that VoIP is a new kid on the block. The Telcommunications industry has known about.......and been using....VoIP technology of some kind for awhile. There's always been talk concerning VoIP and how to capitalize on this Juicy market to come. Early on, only Cisco was really able to make it work properly. But it was just a matter of time before covergence would emerge and make more "dreams" posssible.

Today businesses are rushing into this market in mass for different reasons. From the price savings to the convergence effect of using a single network. But there is still "truth and myth" about VoIP as a business application you need to be smart about when using your own IP PBX or IP-Phone. [Note: for the purposes of this discussion soft phone such as Skype is not addressed.]

Myth........

Being able to be reach anyone and call from anywhere.

This is almost true but you need optimal conditions in order to do this. The following problems will explain why many times challenges still exist when trying to place a VoIP call.

* Let's imagine you have an IP phone connected to your IP PBX or have your own VoIP line and you are willing to use it from a public network, in a conference room, or in the hotel you are staying in. The following problems might appear.

1. The ADSL line is too slow.....This means you might be able to place the call but lags and echoes will appear.

2. There is no Quality of service.....Without getting into details, if someone is downloading or uploading a heavy document, you will lose quality because the IP is not prioritized.

3. The NAT (telecom Network) is blocking all VoIP calls.....This can be caused by multiple problems from Port translation to firewalling.

4. Your are using the WIFI....Most of the time hotspots are just made for surfing on the Net. Many problems could appear such as lags etc. Hotspots aren't made for using your VoIP phone.....yet.

The Truth.........

To be honest, the truth about IP phone is that it will work fine mainly when you are using it on a clean network using "Quality Of Service"....and in a well known IP enabled environment. To make it work fine you need:

1. An XDSL pro with "Quality Of Service" and best of all connected directly to your Telco Provider.

2. An IP phone with a good firmware..... Don't risk using a cheap phone. You'll get what you pay for.

3. A good VoIP provider..... Most of the time the price of your calls have a bearing on their quality too. Anything costing 50% or less than what your standard PSTN phone service provider is good enough (believe me they still make a good profit).

4. No WIFI.... Don't use WIFI for VoIP, you will lose quality most of the time.

Conclusion:

VoIP technology is still in the growth stage and developing everywhere because of price structure pressures and IP convergence advances. Just don't get the false sense of security that all VoIP providers are good, and don't think you will be able to place a call from anywhere.

If you want to introduce VoIP into your business, do your home work. Be sure to consider your intended application(s), appropriate configuration, and beware of being unduly impressed only by the price you might pay. Make your decision based on the best combination of meeting your application, configuration, and cost point requirements....as a total package.

Michael is the owner of FreedomFire Communications....including DS3-Bandwidth.com and Business-VoIP-Solution.com. Michael also authors Broadband Nation where you're always welcome to drop in and catch up on the latest BroadBand news, tips, insights, and ramblings for the masses.

Is Voip Good For The Home

Writen by Aaron Siegel

There is no doubt that you have heard about VoIP by now. It's made headlines and is plastered everywhere both in online and TV advertisements. Just in case you haven't caught on to the hype yet, VoIP is the abbreviated term for Voice over Internet Protocol. Voice over Internet Protocol is basically the ability to communicate on a phone over your Internet connection.

With VoIP, the promise is the ability to make local and global long distance calls at a significantly lower rate than over a plain old telephone line through your local carrier. The VoIP trend has caught on and large enterprises all over the globe are adopting this new technology to reduce their cost of business communications which may include fax, conference calling, along with streaming video applications. VoIP has been around for some time, but it has only been until recently that it has finally matured to the stage worthy of replacing everyday phone use.

At the household level, it is certain by now that you are compelled to embrace this technology somewhat, but are not sure how to go about it or even if this technology has any real benefit for your family. You are probably wondering, "How much? How difficult? Is it necessary?" This article hopefully will clear up a few unanswered questions you may have regarding this technology and maybe even excite you enough to go on out and get VoIP hooked up in your own home.

First off, you must have an Internet connection. No, not your 56k dial up connection, but an actual high speed Internet connection. This can be cable, satellite, or DSL Internet, but you will need high speed Internet for VoIP to function properly and become your new calling station. Dialup just doesn't have the capacity or speed to transfer voice digitally without significant quality loss. A company named SpeakEasy has recently come out with a new DSL product that requires no current phone line for high speed Internet if DSL is your current favorite of broadband services and if you are planning on replacing your current phone service with VoIP.

Secondly you will need what is called a gateway. The gateway is connected between your computer and Ethernet modem. The VoIP gateway is where your phone line will be plugged into. Gateways enable freedom from possible computer problems that can shut down calling capabilities or deteriorate voice quality. Computer crashes, slow memory, and many other computer problems that plague us in everyday life, you do not want to plague your ability to make phone calls.

Gateways are specifically designed for VoIP phones but adapters are available for current phones should you not want to buy a brand new phone. VoIP providers usually have the adapters available for sale so you don't have to shop around for one yourself. Before you write off buying a new phone however, video phones are the newest product line and it won't be long before this trend explodes. You may want to get your video phone so you aren't left out of exciting face to face conversations with friends and relatives when they get theirs. Packet8 VoIP has a good video phone sold separately with their services.

The services included with VoIP usually include all the convenient bells and whistles your current phone service provides including your own local VoIP telephone number, call waiting, voice messaging, 3 way calling, and more.

There are some important things to remember with VoIP before you go diving in to this feature rich voice technology. You should check with your VoIP provider for local 911 emergency coverage. Some VoIP providers charge extra on a monthly basis for both 911 and 411 access so make sure you know how much it is going to cost you before committing to a calling contract.

One last important thing to remember is that your gateway is reliant on electricity to function. This means power outages will put your phone line out of service, but then isn't your phone already only functional with electricity these days?

This article was written by Aaron Siegel of TopSavings.Net which provides consultive services for communications at the residential level all the way up to government.

Services available at the website include VoIP (Including Packet8), Internet Access (Including SpeakEasy), Long Distance, Local Phone Services, Cellular services, and more. Broadband Phone

Soon You Wont Pay Anything For Phone Calls

Writen by Dr Joseph Mercola

A collection of recent articles describes how Wi-Fi internet is going to bring with it many benefits, but it will first have to overcome the opposition of telephone and cable companies.

Free Phone Calls

According to eBay's chief executive Meg Whitman, within a few years, customers may be able to make telephone calls for free, with no per-minute charges, while the carriers make money on advertising or transaction fees.

This statement was made during a discussion of eBay's purchase of web-based communications phenomenon Skype Technologies. The company is hoping that by combining electronic markets, online payment systems, and Web-based communications, it can become a leader in all three areas.

Skype allows members to make free Web-based calls to each other, and has more than 57 million registered users. EBay believes Skype's growth will drive down voice communications costs down to nothing over the next three to six years.

Rural Wi-Fi

One major hurdle in the growth of Voice Over Internet telephony, however, is the inconsistency of Wi-Fi availability. So it's interesting to note that a desolate area in Oregon has become the world's largest Wi-Fi hotspot, a region that stretches over 700 square miles.

Wireless projects in more metropolitan areas have been stymied by telephone and cable TV companies, which have spent large amounts of money lobbying state and local governments to pass bills aimed at discouraging competition.

In the country, however, large corporations see little profit potential, which enabled wireless entrepreneur Fred Ziari to build a $5 million wireless network, at his own expense, without restrictions. Already, the network has revolutionized the way business, emergency planning, and police work are conducted, along with many other businesses and services.

Ziari's network is free to the public; he is recouping his investment through contracts with city and county agencies and larger businesses.

Even as Wi-Fi hotspots continue to increase, with more than 70,000 currently registered around the world, only a very few major cities have complete Wi-Fi access across their entire area.

Different Approaches to Wi-Fi for Cities

However, a handful of municipalities across the nation using a variety of approaches to introduce full-coverage Wi-Fi, in spite of the opposition from the telephone and cable companies. Rio Rancho, New Mexico, has a solution employing a network of 400 access points, while Manassas, Virginia, is employing a broadband over power line (PBL) approach.

Madison, Wisconsin is getting their citywide Wi-Fi, with the help of a firm supplying real-time automated meter reading for the utilities industry. It will be installed at no cost to the city, as the providers have secured initial funding from service agreements from ISPs.

Even in the face of corporate opposition, municipal wireless networks are expected to grow by 128 percent annually by 2007.

Wired News October 16, 2005Yahoo News October 20, 2005TechWeb.com October 21, 2005

Dr. Mercola's Comment:You had to know something was up when with the future of your phone service when eBay was willing to pay $4 billion to purchase the Voice over IP company Skype a few weeks ago.

Over the past ten years SBC (new name AT & T) and Verizon have spent tens of billions of dollars building telecom empires so they could dominate the industry and, without question, currently dominate the industry as together they control nearly two-thirds of all residential phone lines in the US.

But the Internet WILL change all that and these companies are not prepared for it. They will lose 40% of their land line residential customers over the next ten years. This week's NY Times also reported how the smaller Internet providers, like Earthlink, are battling these giants.

It is becoming increasingly clear that your connection to the Internet will replace your phone service. The key will not to have a cell phone or a land line but an Internet connection. Because if you have an Internet connection, you will be able to get your phone service for free.

Now I am not talking about connecting your desktop or notebook into an Ethernet cable, but using a wireless connection, in many ways not very different than your cell phone. Currently the wireless internet is restricted to WiFi which is only good for hundreds of feet. However, that will soon change when WiFi is morphed into WiMax and your connection will be good for 25 miles or more.

You can start to see the trend. Google has offered tomake San Francisco wireless last month, and now Philadelphia and as the article aboverural Oregonare close behind.

Lobbying from cable and phone providers have stymied many projects in major urban markets across the country. Philadelphia's plan to build a citywide WiFi network sparked state legislators (prompted by phone and cable companies) to limit every other town in the state to do the same thing!

The biggest obstacle to creating these cheap wireless networks isn't the building of them, according to experts. According to the Wi-Fi Alliance, it's more a matter of "who's-going-to-get-a-piece-of-the-action?".

What Does All This Mean For YOU?

One thing you can be certain of is change. So please be careful about signing any long term contracts with your phone company as it with virtually near certainty I can assure you that the future of your phone service will not resemble anything you have seen in the past and, best of all, odds are very high it will be free.

Next week I will be writing about the cell phone carrier that has just signed a long-term contract with the US Defense Department that seems to secure their position as the leading cell phone carrier in the US.

This article is reprinted from Mercola.com, the world's #1 most visited and trusted natural/alternative health website. For a limited time only, you can take the FREE "Metabolic Type Test" to help you learn the right foods for your particular body type so you can achieve optimal fitness & health. Just go to http://www.mercola.com/forms/mt_test.htm right now to take this quick test!

Voip A Basic Basic Intro

Writen by Bear Cahill

What is it?

Most people are familiar w/ NetMeeting and other software that let you talk to others over the internet. VOIP is similar. However, it also uses your phone - the interface we're all familiar with.

Instead of connecting your phone to the wall, you connect it to a box either the VOIP company provides or you buy on your own. This is the modem. You need highspeed/broadband internet for this. Your modem plugs into your cable/dsl modem and now it can 'talk' btwn your phone and the internet.

Your phone lines already do pretty much what VOIP does, just w/ different/older technology (well, some of it's new w/ optics and such, but...).

How hard is it to setup?

It's actually very easy. Assuming you have the company send you a modem or you buy a kit at the store, you simply plug the modem btwn your current cable/dsl modem and your computer (e.g., the out from your cable modem now goes to the new box and the out from that to your computer). It also has a phone jack for your regular phone.

Once it is on, it will boot up and configure itself.

What are the benefits?

There are many benefits depending on the company you go w/, but here are a few I have (all of these are free w/ the monthly fee- $14.99 for my setup):

1. Features like caller id, call waiting, call waiting caller id, call forwarding, etc.

2. Voicemail

3. Email alerts for new voicemail.

4. Web access to voicemail - you can play your messages on your computer.

5. Auto-forward - if the phone is ever down or isn't answered, it's auto-routed to another number

6. Online management of all features, settings, account, etc.

7. Computer dialing - highlight any number on your computer, hit F6 and it sets up the call from your phone to theirs - very convinient!

8. Keep your regular phone (you don't need a voip phone)

There are some other cool features available for extra $ like the softphone which lets you use your computer as a phone w/o the modem - this means you can take your laptop w/ you wherever and you have your phone w/ the same phone number everywhere too (you can do this w/o the softphone, but you have to take your VOIP modem around w/ you - not bad if you're going somewhere for a longer trip).

Another really cool thing is the virtual phone numbers. You can get extra numbers that ring the same phone, but they are local numbers to any area code you want. So if I live in Dallas and have family in New York, I can get a local phone number here and there. That way my family in New York can call a local number (free) and talk to me! Vonage charges $4.99/month for that. I'm not sure about the others.

And the biggest benefit - IT'S CHEAP! I pay $14.99 plus some tax and such, but not the ump-teen taxes, charges, fees, etc. like the phone company charges.

Also, if you do a little research/reading, you can set it up to where every phone jack in your house is wired for VOIP. It's little more than plugging the output of your VOIP modem into the wall jack you already have. Very little more.

Bottom Line

You get lots of good, free features and options for doing/managing a lot more including a lot over the web and it's SO much cheaper (at least it is for me!). Being the 'average guy' I am, I don't really use all the features. Fortunately, it's pretty much a 'set it up and forget about it' type thing except that I save $40+/month w/ it!

I use Vonage b/c that's what I was told about first and it was one of the first. There are others and I'm sure they have their strengths, but Vonage has the cheapest base option at the time I did my research.

Bear Cahill is a software engineer in the Dallas, TX area and runs a few websites: The Armchair Geek (thearmchairgeek.com), Webpage Hosting Info (webpagehostinginfo.com), Go To College Online (gotocollegeonline.com) and The Video Exchange Community (videoexchange.org)

Publish freely if this resource box is included and links maintained as links.

The Pros And Cons Of Using Voip For Internet Phone Calls

Writen by Steadman Issenburg

The field of telecommunications is almost constantly in a state of rapid change and that is certainly true today as VoIP technology continues to grow in both quality and popularity. VoIP actually stands for Voice over Internet Protocol, and it is a way of transferring telephone calls across the internet to a distant computer or telephone without the use of your local telephone company.

A very good way to sample VoIP technology is through using instant messaging programs such as Yahoo Messenger, MSN Messenger, and AOL Messenger. All of these programs allow you to use a microphone and a set of speakers connected to your computer to make free PC to PC audio calls. For those instant messaging programs that also include video and allow for more than two people to be connected at any one time, you can even hold your own internet video conference easily and inexpensively thanks to VoIP technology.

All you have to do is download one of these above mentioned programs free of charge, install it on your computer, and connect up your microphone and speakers, to be able to sample this technology and see if you like it or not. If you do, and chances are that you will, you can then sign up for a VoIP subscription plan with one of the major VoIP providers to let you take full advantage of all of the features that VoIP has to offer.

One of the big advantages of VoIP subscription plans is their minimal cost when compared to local telephone companies. When you start shopping these plans you'll see a large difference in cost between them and what you pay for your telephone service now, and that is no doubt the most attractive feature of VoIP technology to most consumers.

However, there are a few drawbacks to using VoIP for telephone communications that you should also be aware of. First of all, you will most likely need a high speed internet connection in order to get the best results when using a VoIP application or program. It can be done on a dial-up connection, but your results can be very spotty and inconsistent, sometimes even downright frustrating. On a high speed connection though, you should experience voice quality that very closely rivals that of land line telephones.

One other consideration is that it can be difficult to call 911 using a VoIP program if you don't know where you are. 911 operators are unable to perform a trace on calls that originate from an IP telephone or computer, so there would be no way to locate the caller if they cannot identify exactly where they are. However, VoIP providers are currently working on this problem and hope to have a solution soon.

As you can see, there are both advantages and disadvantages to using VoIP technology for your telephone communications. By being aware of both the pros and cons, you should be able to make an informed decision about whether or not VoIP will work for you.

Steadman Issenburg writes on many consumer related topics including communication. You can find a voip broadband phone provider and voip broadband phone service and more by visiting our communication website.

Five Tips For Selecting A Voip Provider

Writen by Howard Conklin

Choosing a VoIP provider can be a daunting task. There are several VoIP service providers from which to choose, making the decision a sometimes head-spinning adventure.

To find a provider that's right for you, think about the following:

1. Price -- What do you want to pay each month for your VoIP service? Most monthly fees range from $8 to $30. The lower the monthly fee, the less likely you are to get extra features. Sometimes, less expensive plans don't allow users to call outside the service provider's network.

2. Features -- Is Caller ID important to you? Do you want voicemail? These features and others are not universally offered on all VoIP service plans, so make sure you know what options you want when deciding on a provider.

3. Emergency services/E911 options -- Not all VoIP service providers currently meet federal standards for E911, the system used to automatically determine the location of someone who's dialed 911. If your VoIP telephone is your primary phone, you may want to select a plan that supports 911 dialing. If you feel comfortable using your cell phone for emergencies, a VoIP provider's E911 capabilities may not be important.

4. Technical support -- Some VoIP service providers charge for technical support; others don't. Most of the larger companies -- Vonage and Time Warner, for instance -- do not charge for technical support, some smaller companies do. Check with the VoIP service provider to find out if they charge for extra help.

5. Number portability -- Do you want to keep your current landline telephone number? Some VoIP service providers will "port" your current number to your new VoIP telephone, while others will give you a new telephone number. If you like your current number, find a provider who'll help you keep it.

Howard is the owner of http://www.voip-resource.com where you can get information about finding a VoIP service provider and other VoIP related news and articles.

Making Pc To Phone Voip Calls Over Dialup Internet Connections

Writen by Nathan Smith

There's a lot of hype these days surrounding Internet-based voice communications (VoIP) replacing traditional telephone service. Most of this revolves around companies such as Vonage who coin themselves as the 'Broadband Phone Company'. So what about those of us who don't have a broadband connection? Just because you don't have high speed Internet, doesn't mean that you can't save a fortune by using VoIP for your long-distance calls. Whilst a broadband connection will usually result in more consistent VoIP call quality, comparable results can be achieved using a dial-up connection provided some simple guidelines are followed.

Shop Around

Not all VoIP service providers support dial-up users. Companies such as Vonage bill themselves as alternatives to traditional telephone service and shy away from the dial-up community (who are tied to those 'traditional' networks to access the Internet). Furthermore, some service providers only support dial-up above a certain speed (e.g., 56Kbp). Two companies whose VoIP softphone applications work well over low speed connections include Callserve and Go2Call.

'Free-up' your System Resources

In order to ensure the highest call quality, close programs that are running in the 'background'. For Windows users, these applications can be seen in the taskbar at the bottom right of your screen. 'Right-click' the icons and close those programs that aren't critical to system security (e.g., don't close anti-virus software, firewall applications and the like).

If you're using Windows XP with user switching enabled, log off all users except the one that will be used to make the call. This will prevent the other user identities from running software and/or using your bandwidth while you're making calls.

'Free Up' your Internet Connection

Given the limited data capacity of dial-up connections, it's important that you devote as much of your bandwidth as possible to the VoIP softphone application. To achieve maximum call quality, don't do anything that uses your bandwidth whilst making calls. This includes instant messaging, checking email, using a webcam, browsing the internet, downloading, etc. In Windows, you can look at the two little computers in the bottom right of your taskbar to see whether your connection is being used prior to calling (the little computers illuminate when data is being uploaded and/or downloaded).

Scan your System for Viruses, Spyware, Adware and Malware

Some of these malicious programs can hijack your browser, tie up your internet connection and slow down your system (not to mention seriously invade your privacy!). I recommend AdAware for free scanning and removal of Spyware/Adware. Once you've checked and cleansed your system of these nasty programs, your virus definition files should be updated to minimize the chances of re-infection.

Use a Headset with an Integrated Boom Microphone

Last but not least, using a headset with a boom microphone should eliminate those annoying voice echoes often associated with PC to Phone calls. Echoes are caused by your microphone detecting the voice coming from your computer speakers and re-transmitting that voice signal back to the person you're talking to. By using a headset, the voice signals are limited in volume (due to the headset being directly adjacent to your ears) and thus the chances of your microphone 're-transmitting' those voice signals is greatly reduced.

So there you have it. A Lack of high speed Internet needn't mean a lack of PC to Phone VoIP capability.

Nathan Smith

Nathan is the owner of netphonedirectory.com which deals specifically with PC to Phone and PC to PC VoIP. The site includes a comprehensive directory of PC to Phone service providers as well as information on VoIP and what you need to make inexpensive long-distance telephone calls using your computer

How To Set Up A Business Voip System

Writen by Michael Lemm

To set up a business VoIP system, you need several components. A central device to manage the calls, the way a private branch exchange (PBX) or key system unit (KSU) does in traditional phone systems is one of them.

This can be a dedicated piece of hardware such as an IP PBX, a regular PBX that has been IP-enabled, or a server running specialized software. You will also need phones and a data network. In many cases, you may be able to use your existing digital phones and computer network, although you may need to upgrade some of your network hardware.

VoIP Benefit

The most prominent benefit of an IP PBX is for businesses with multiple locations. With the advantage of VoIP, all the offices on a LAN or WAN can get the profits of having a common office phone system. The profits are - extension dialing, seamless call transfers, and other features.

In addition to making it easier to communicate, this sharing of features can enhance collaboration as employees at different locations can truly feel like they are part of the same organization. Plus, if they are on the company network, the phone calls are free - even if your offices are located thousands of miles apart. It is an advantage in saving money expended on calling between two branches of the same office.

VoIP Conversations

Computer networks are designed to handle messy data: packets arrive out of order and some are even lost, but in most cases the data being sent can easily be reconstructed when it is needed. Voice conversations, though, are not as tolerant of these kinds of disturbances. Each packet of sound has to arrive in the correct order because they are being sent in real time - if packets are lost; the conversation sounds distorted, choppy, or falls off all together. This is why VoIP services that rely on the Internet to transmit calls can have uneven phone quality.

The selection of a business VoIP solution is a major decision. Voice service is critical to the operation of the business, so no one wants to implement a technology that will compromise call quality or reliability in any way. On the other hand, the cost savings and value-added functionality available with VoIP makes it a compelling investment.

LANs & WANs

The VoIP phone system is beneficial for companies having multiple locations branches, telecommuters and remote sales offices. And the locations are connected with a company's Local Area Network (LAN) or Wide Area Network (WAN). In that case the companies are suitable for using a VoIP system.

You can share the full features of your phone system across all your locations. In addition, even if you have one office in one place and one in different place, VoIP allows calls between them via extension dialing, making it a zero cost call. For businesses with hefty monthly long distance charges due to calls between far off locations, is an attractive reason to upgrade.

VoIP Process

A VoIP phoning process requires a regular phone, an adapter, broadband Internet service, and a subscription to a VoIP service. When you place a call, it is sent over the Internet as data until it nears the recipient's destination.

Then the call is translated back into a more traditional format and completes the trip over standard phone lines. Also known as Internet telephony, this allows for extremely cheap long-distance and international calls.

VoIP Drawbacks

The main drawback of VoIP systems is the network requirements.

In VoIP telephony the greatest challenge is the bandwidth. It requires high bandwidth for clear messaging.

Michael is the owner of FreedomFire Communications....including Business-VoIP-Solution and DS3-Bandwidth.com. Michael also authors Broadband Nation where you're always welcome to drop in and catch up on the latest BroadBand news, tips, resources, and insights.

Is Internet Necessary To Deploy Voip

Writen by Daniel Castro

Voice over internet protocol is also called IP telephony, Internet telephony or also broad band phone. VoIP internet telephony works in the same manner as data transfer on a network. Protocols that determine the aspects of connection and transfer of data are used to transfer data over the network. The protocol that is used to transfer voice over the IP network is called the Voice over IP or VoIP protocols. The network voice protocol was invented for the ARPANET in 1973. It was an experimental protocol that has now realized into the commercial protocol. VoIP Wireless Phone is the present realization of this experiment.

Intranets and VoIP
The Private branch exchanges were designed to automate the telephone communication systems. With the advent of microprocessors these were used in the PBX and hence it was easier to integrate VoIP as well. Integration of VoIP helped save money as the transmission in the form of IP packets was cheaper than a dedicated connection between two ends.

If you have an intranet and a PBX as well you could enable VoIP by connecting an IP gateway between your PBX and intranet. Thus routing calls through the data line and saving cash. Directing long distance calls and international calls via data lines is an effective way of cutting your bill on communication.

VoIP can be used internally as well over the intranet. The advantage with this is that you need not buy a separate PBX for voice communication. VoIP over the intranet data lines is more predictable as the network traffic and bandwidth is determined in advance. More sophisticated VoIP programs could be used for less data loss, full duplex, real time voice communication

Working of VoIP
Traditional telephony used analog signals. Digital technology made the process more efficient by converting analog signals to digital signals and then compressing them. This increases the speed of transmission and lowers the bandwidth requirement as well. VoIP Equipment uses the Sessions Initiation Protocol or H.323 for defining the communication between devices. H.323 is designed for video conferencing has a wider range of applications when compared to SIP. But SIP is more robust when it comes to voice transmission only.

VoIP Basics the handshaking signals that are shared between the two ends to establish a connection. In the traditional telephone system these were achieved using circuit switching methods. For connection to be established and provide you good voice quality you need a cable modem for your internet connection or a different type of telephone system. High speeds are essential to a voice connection. The connection between the two points is maintained as long as the conversation goes on. The IP packets are transferred between the two points using a real time protocol. Similar to the telephone system, VoIP providers charge you a flat rate according to minute.

Benefits
There are a few Advantages of VoIP that make people adopt this technology.

• Most operating system software now comes with VoIP ability. Application software that provide net based messaging and voice conferencing offer you the ability of a voice chat and even video conferencing. Therefore there is no need of purchasing additional equipment.

• VoIP is beneficial to those who have to make frequent overseas contact or have high call volumes as the cost per call is low when it is over the internet rather than over dedicated telephone lines.

• Large corporations that require collaboration with multiple people can utilize VoIP since the rate is the same for a single connection as well as a multiple connection.

Disadvantages
There are a few issues that prevent general acceptance of VoIP.

• There is a lack of transmission quality during periods of high network congestion. When the bandwidth is limited and network congestion occur IP packets are dropped. This results in poor voice quality and even loss of connection.

• If the network goes down then all means of communication both voice and data is cut off. This results in the reluctance to change over to VoIP

• Calls to emergency services are not yet provided by VoIP. The situation may change as this has been made mandatory by the government.

• There are no directory listings or yellow page listings for VoIP numbers.

What ever the bold promises VoIP offers if it does not deliver on the internet scene it still is an advantage on the intranet scene.

http://www.voiplobby.com is a site for the new and upcoming technology of voice over internet protocol. The various topics dealt with include VoIP basics, Advantages of VoIP, etc. Find out more about this new technology.

http://www.voiplobby.com is a site for the new and upcoming technology of voice over internet protocol. The various topics dealt with include VoIP basics, Advantages of VoIP, etc. Find out more about this new technology.

An Honest Review Of Vonage A Featurerich Worldready Voip

Writen by Hamesh Brown

With more players jumping into the already populated space of Voice over the Internet Protocol (VoIP), the perceptive user has that much more choice. Vonage is a leading player in this marketplace with over a million subscribers worldwide in a short lifespan of three years. However, there is a set of negatives too, so wait until you reach the end of this review before you decide to switch from your traditional landline service to Vonage telephony.

What is Vonage and how does it differ from your landline connection? For a start, you must have a broadband connection, preferably cable-based; a dial-up is no good. When you call Vonage customer service for a connection, Vonage sends you a tiny box, which you have to plug to your telephone and your cable modem or DSL. You are now set to start a Vonage conversation. With a Vonage connection, you have access to your telephone through your computer and the broadband connection. The other big difference from a traditional phone service is cost effectiveness; with a Vonage, you can cut your telephone bill significantly, and converse worldwide by buying local telephone numbers from Vonage.

Vonage offers a set of four monthly packages for all calls in the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico: a premium unlimited offer at US$24.99, a basic plan of 500 minutes at US$14.99, a small-business unlimited package at US$49.99, and a basic small-business offer of 1500 minutes at US$39.99. For calls from the US to other world destinations, there is a nominal per-minute rate applicable, which is well below what you would pay to your landline service provider. For example, for a minute's call to Mumbai (India), you need to pay only US$0.17; for a call to the UK, it is as low as US$0.04 per minute.

The Vonage Website lists the charges applicable to each city on its network. Perhaps the best part of Vonage is that you can carry your US telephone number to any part of the world with broadband connectivity, and call the US at local call rates. For any reason, if you are dissatisfied with Vonage services, you can opt for the 14-day (or 30-day for some packages) money-back offer. This trial period is enough time to try out the excellent features that you get with Vonage:

• An unlisted telephone number

• Call waiting, callerID

• Call forwarding, 7-digit dialing (rather than area code +number used in many markets, including Lingo)

• An innovative voicemail feature

• Repeat dial

• Dynamic periodic feature updates

However, Vonage is not all positives. Its founding premise is a bit wobbly; your connection is afloat only as long as your broadband connection is. Any Internet outage and Vonage will cease to function. Call quality is also dependent on the speed of your broadband. Then there is the question of availability of a local number for your city; Vonage may not have your city listed, so you should confirm this with Vonage customer support before deciding on the service. Vonage is facing stern competition from AT&T and Verizon, and users have preferred the call quality of AT&T to that of Vonage. Vonage is also not the cheapest VoIP service around in the marketplace.

However, Vonage is a winner on features. If you have a dependable broadband connection, need to make frequent international calls, and travel to world destinations but need to stay in touch with the US, Vonage is for you.

Hamesh Brown enjoys writing about VoIP. See http://www.voipreviewsonline.com/2005/10/vonage_review.html for another Vonage review.