| IP telephony refers to the system of transmitting voice | | | | not need codes or extension numbers to contact |
| over a data network such as in broadband Internet | | | | another VoIP user. The great thing about these |
| connection. In comparison to the traditional analogue | | | | services is that they provide solutions to the difficulties |
| phone line, as an extension to the practical Internet | | | | encountered in implementing traditional PSTN calls. |
| applications, it presents a cheaper and more | | | | Through Internet lines, VoIP services connect people in |
| accessible option to communicating with people from | | | | a number of ways:o Computer to computer |
| any part of the world. With its call sound quality that is | | | | applications is perhaps the easiest way of availing |
| comparable and sometimes better that that observed | | | | VoIP services for free, no matter the distance. There |
| in analogue telephone conversations, it presents a | | | | are also companies that offer free and very low |
| modern and improved system for call management | | | | long-distance call fees. All it needs is a computer with |
| having total flexibility in using and locating phone | | | | a microphone, speakers, sound card and Internet |
| numbers. | | | | connection that also runs software that supports VoIP |
| IP telephony, broadband telephony or Voice over | | | | applications.o Computer to telephone VoIP calls, similar |
| Internet Protocol (VoIP) applications is operated over | | | | to computer-to-computer calls, requires a software |
| the Internet through packets of switched network. It | | | | client. It allows a person to call anyone from his |
| introduces a system of voice transmission that carry | | | | computer. While the software usually available for free, |
| telephony signals as digital audio, which reduces data, | | | | the calls may require minimal fees. Call rates depend |
| rate through speech data compression methods. It | | | | on the software provider or on the VoIP service setup |
| encapsulates the digital audio signals into the data | | | | provider.o Telephone to computer calls is now made |
| packet stream over the IP. In sense, as a particular call | | | | possible. Today, a number of companies are providing |
| is made, the conversation is broken down into tiny | | | | special numbers and calling cards, which enable phone |
| packets for faster and clearer transmission, which is | | | | users to call a computer user. However, the computer |
| then reassembled at the receiving end. One common | | | | needs to have a vendor's software installed but is a lot |
| misconception about IP telephony is that it needs to | | | | cheaper than making traditional phone-to-phone |
| access a computer to operate. That is not the case; | | | | long-distance calls.o Even telephone-to-telephone calls |
| however, it does need a broadband Internet | | | | are possible with VoIP. By using the gateways, anyone |
| connection to operate. | | | | can easily and directly contact any standard phone in |
| A VoIP service usually comes in two types of public | | | | the world via IP-based network. |
| switched telephone networks (PSTN), the access | | | | The practicality, accessibility, value and ease of use of |
| numbers and the direct inward dialling (DID). In access | | | | IP telephony or VoIP services are increasingly gaining |
| numbers service, the caller is required to have the | | | | popularity. Today, more and more businesses and |
| extension number of the person called through VoIP. It | | | | companies are installing and using IP telephony |
| needs to key in the extension number of the person | | | | systems. Time will only tell on when with IP telephony |
| being contacted. On the other hand, DID presents | | | | or VoIP services find their way into today's modern |
| more convenient and direct solutions to callers; it does | | | | homes. |