| Long distance phone calls will never be the same | | | | agencies including the FCC are taking a long hard look |
| again thanks to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). | | | | at VoIP to harness the technology into a more secure |
| The basic premise for this technology is to convert | | | | format. |
| analog audio signals into digital data for transmission | | | | Among the multiple advantages attributed to VoIP |
| over the Internet, a technique which allows you to | | | | technology, include the use of the same lines for both |
| make your phone calls over the internet. | | | | data and voice transmissions. With one network, both |
| The way VoIP works is pretty straight forward. | | | | installation and maintenance expenses are minimized. |
| Whereas the traditional circuit switched technology | | | | Compression technology makes it possible for multiple |
| reserves a dedicated path from a caller to the | | | | calls, as many as eight, on the same lines as opposed |
| receiver for the entire duration of the conversation, | | | | to the circuit-switch systems. Neither is there any |
| VoIP converts the voices into data for transmission | | | | compromise on sound clarity. |
| over data networks. At the receiving end, the data is | | | | With VoIP it is also possible for various devices to be |
| once again converted back into audio. | | | | inter-linked, thereby enabling added incentives like |
| The implication of this process is that a regular Internet | | | | PC-Telephony. Integrating the phone system to a |
| connection is all one needs to make absolutely free | | | | customer database provides ideal support for |
| phone calls. In using free VoIP software for Internet | | | | customer relationship management or CRM. |
| phone calls, the role of the telephone company and | | | | Phone calls using VoIP are not subject to toll charges. |
| consequently its charges are completely eliminated. | | | | When both sides have high-speed Internet access and |
| This path breaking VoIP technology is poised to | | | | VoIP phones, distance charges don't apply no matter |
| redefine the very method the world's phone systems | | | | how long the call duration or distance may be. The |
| use. Major players in the VoIP world, like Vonage, are | | | | possibilities in terms of businesses and consumers to |
| already making their presence felt having been on a | | | | save on costs are therefore staggering. What's more |
| steady growth for some time. Leading traditional | | | | VoIP can also be utilized in setting up an independent |
| carriers like AT&T are already in the process of | | | | private interoffice networks for main to satellite office |
| incorporating this revolutionary new technology in | | | | communications. |
| markets across the US. Simultaneously, regulatory | | | | |