| The amazing advances in Internet technology have not | | | | calls cost effective because telephony and data are |
| only revolutionized the way information is disseminated | | | | handled on the same network. |
| on a global scale- it has also changed the way | | | | There are three basic configurations where people |
| telephony connects people. VoIP or Voice over | | | | can make use of VoIP networks. The first one |
| Internet Protocol technology has proven to be a more | | | | involves their regular phone with an installed Analog |
| cost-effective alternative to standard telephone | | | | Telephone Adapter of ATA which is then connected |
| services. Aside from the cost savings, VoIP services | | | | to the Internet cable modem. In some cases, a router is |
| offer several more telephony features that go beyond | | | | installed between the ATA and the modem. |
| the capabilities and functions of traditional telephony. | | | | Another option allows communication between two or |
| Using only a personal computer or laptop and a reliable, | | | | more internet-connected computers with an installed |
| high-speed broadband Internet connection, people can | | | | microphone and earpiece or a headset, allowing for |
| now connect and communicate with people from | | | | higher quality voice communications. In some cases, |
| across national boundaries and even across the globe | | | | both PCs need to be running the same VoIP software |
| through PC to phone VoIP solutions. Cost benefits are | | | | in order to communicate with each other. |
| substantial with up to 30 to 50 percent reduction in | | | | Aside from the options described above, a third option |
| telephony fees. As the technology continues to evolve | | | | makes it possible for personal computers to |
| and mature, more and more people are starting to see | | | | communicate with telephones over the VoIP network |
| the value of PC to phone solutions as well as other | | | | as described in the following section. |
| VoIP internet telephony resources. | | | | An Overview of PC to Phone Solutions |
| An Overview of VoIP Solutions | | | | Personal computers both large and small can now be |
| The principle of VoIP technology can be summed up in | | | | installed with software that turns it into a viable |
| simple analogy: as PSTN phones communicate through | | | | telephone. These solutions make it possible for a PC to |
| analog signals, VoIP uses the transmission of digital | | | | call any landline or cellular phone directly. |
| data through the Internet to connect with other VoIP | | | | For a small fee, PC to phone VoIP providers supply |
| users as well as standard telephone networks. Instead | | | | software that allows users to just type-in their |
| of a continuous flow of analog signals, the technology | | | | intended recipient's phone number on the application's |
| behind VoIP converts these signals into digital | | | | keypad, just like on any other regular phone, and they'll |
| information that are sent as packets of data across a | | | | be ready to make calls. |
| broadband network. | | | | PC to phone solutions provides a cost effective |
| This allows more information to be sent at a particular | | | | method for use in the home or workplace. Businesses |
| time, thus allowing the additional features like video | | | | can leverage this technology for their marketing, |
| streams from a webcam to be sent through the VoIP | | | | customer service and other operational needs that |
| network. The use of the Internet also makes these | | | | require constant use of the telephone. |