| VoIP refers to voice transmissions that are sent over | | | | connection, so VoIP may eliminate a business's need |
| an Internet connection, rather than over land lines as | | | | for additional phone lines, which often cost more from |
| with traditional phone service or via cellphone towers. | | | | the phone company. VoIP software can be used in |
| VoIP requires a computer or a Wifi or other internet | | | | any location, provided that there is a suitable internet |
| connection to work. The voice signal is converted from | | | | connection, so they also are not tied to a certain |
| analog audio to a compressed digital format, then | | | | location like landlines are. They also eliminate the need |
| converted back to analog on the other end. These | | | | for separate lines for phones and data transmission, so |
| services are often much cheaper than other phone | | | | they can cut business costs by using lines that are |
| services. | | | | already installed. |
| There are several different ways VoIP can be used. | | | | Some VoIP providers provide many additional features |
| VoIP technology can use a dedicated VoIP phone or | | | | free of charge, or for a low fee. These may include |
| an analog telephone adapter, or it can use special | | | | call forwarding or caller ID, which often cost more if |
| software. VoIP phones work much like cellphones, but | | | | you get them from a traditional phone service. |
| transmit their signals via Wifi or other IP connections. | | | | Because they use the internet to place calls, some |
| Service plans for the phones can be purchased, and | | | | Internet phone or "softphone" software may also be |
| because they are usually billed by the data | | | | able to integrate other features available through the |
| transmission instead of minutes, plans are often much | | | | internet, such as making video conferencing calls or |
| cheaper than comparable mobile phone or traditional | | | | exchanging messages or files. |
| phone plans. Many services offer a flat rate fee, and | | | | There are some disadvantages to VoIP, however. The |
| some offer free services. These may vary widely by | | | | services may not connect directly to 911 and other |
| the provider, but in general, VoIP services are much | | | | emergency services, making them less reliable than |
| cheaper than land lines or cell phones due to the lower | | | | other services in the event of an emergency. They |
| cost of transmitting via IP. | | | | rely on the power of the modem, so they may not |
| Some VoIP providers provide free calls to other lines | | | | function during a power outage unless there is a |
| which are also using their plan. They often offer an | | | | backup power supply available from the provider. The |
| inexpensive flat rate plan for other domestic calls, | | | | lines have a maximum data capacity, so if they are |
| which may be unlimited. You can call other lines using | | | | overloaded, the quality of the transmission may suffer. |
| VoIP, or you can call cellphones and landlines. Service | | | | Congestion can also cause "jitter" and delay, which |
| plans may also include rates for international calls. | | | | can result in sound distortion or dropouts. |
| More than one call can use the same internet | | | | |