Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) - What Is It?

This new type of telecommunication is simply theyou make. However, keep in mind that this applies to
transmission of your voice over the internet usingcalls placed within the United States and sometimes
packet switching. Packet switching in plain EnglishCanada and Mexico. You will be charged additional
simply means that data (your voice in this case) isfees for most international calling. VoIP is also really
broken down into smaller parts, sent (using youradvantageous to the person who travels much of the
internet connection), and then the data (your voice)time. You can simply take your VoIP switchbox with
gets reassembled on the other end (who you called).you and make cheap calls from your hotel or motel
This transmission process only takes fractions of aroom by simply plugging it into the broadband
second to complete. It is important to note that in orderconnection in your room. No more need for those
for VoIP to work correctly, you need to currently haveexpensive roaming charges from your cell phone or
a broadband connection like DSL or cable for the VoIP.expensive calls from your room phone! VoIP
It also requires a switch box that gets connected toswitchbox plugged into broadband connection,
your cable or DSL modem. It is this switch box thattelephone plugged into switchbox, make a telephone
you plug in your cordless phone to. This process is socall and save. Could it be any easier?
easy that I am sure that anybody or their young kidsCommon issues people have had with VoIP are that
could do it.they complain that it sounded choppy, there were
The reason that VoIP is taken the telecommunicationsdelays in voice transmission, and the voices echoed.
industry by storm is for one simple reason, it is veryThat is true of the first generation VoIP systems, but
cost effective and the smart consumers have figuredthe new generation VoIP technology has eliminated
it out. Depending on your calling habits, you can reallythose issues, but you must use a broadband
save on your long-distance charges. Let us think aboutconnection not a dial-up. Another common concern is
this folks. If you use the VoIP service you really do notthat you have to connect your VoIP switchbox up to a
have any need for a regular landline phone anymore.computer. Granted, if you are one of the few people in
That would probably save you at least $20 to $40the industrialize world that does not own a computer,
bucks a month, not including any long distance chargesyou are simply out of luck. If you own a computer and
you may incur. If you make a lot of long distance callshave a cordless phone, it is a great option. The
on your landline phone, you are charged a monthly feecordless phones, especially the ones that have more
for the phone and additional fees for your longthan one headset that can be plugged into various
distance calls.locations throughout your home gives you all kinds of
VoIP services simply charge one flat fee for theflexibility.
service regardless of the amount of long distance calls