| Of the numerous technologies that have been | | | | Almost all VoIP service providers also provide the |
| developed for Internet use, none is as practical or | | | | functions that traditional phones do, such as caller ID, |
| innovative as Voice Over Internet Protocol, or VoIP. | | | | voice mail, three way calling, repeat dialing, forwarding |
| Even at this early stage, it is already well on its way to | | | | etc. The only difference is that with VoIP the costs are |
| modifying the entire industry. | | | | reduced. |
| What is VoIP? | | | | Some even provide toll free numbers, fax service and |
| In simple terms, VoIP means that instead of using your | | | | options for linking up your laptop so it can be used with |
| telephone to make a call, a VoIP service provider will | | | | VoIP. |
| install some equipment in your computer that will allow | | | | Reduced Cost for Businesses |
| you to call using your existing Internet connection. | | | | For businessmen, the gains from using this technology |
| Benefits of VoIP | | | | are enormous. By using the Internet to make all phone |
| There are several reasons why people are turning to | | | | calls, there will no longer be any need for subscribing to |
| this technology, and foremost is that it is much cheaper | | | | a costly telephone service. For ordinary telephone |
| compared with traditional phones, both landline and | | | | users, the savings can go up to hundreds of dollars; for |
| cellular. The rates, for both local and international calls, | | | | companies it will result in savings of thousands of |
| are also significantly reduced. | | | | dollars. If you are running a multinational company, |
| The other advantage is that it allows you to use your | | | | integrating the entire phone system so that every |
| phone number regardless of where you are in the | | | | office uses VoIP, then the savings would be even |
| world. As an example; an executive in New York who | | | | more. |
| is on a business trip in Vienna only has to bring his | | | | The money saved here could be used for other |
| VoIP adapter with him and plug it in a PC in the hotel | | | | projects, leading to greater productivity and increased |
| room; now he can call using his own phone. This not | | | | profits. |
| just lowers the cost, but also saves him from incurring | | | | International Calls |
| any additional bills from the hotel. | | | | Almost all phone companies charge overseas calls on |
| The VoIP Process | | | | a per minute basis, and it is often prohibitive, cost wise. |
| This is how VoIP works; you contact a service | | | | There is no need to put up with that anymore, |
| provider, and they will give you an adapter. You, or a | | | | because VoIP offers the same service without the |
| technician can place the adapter on your telephone. If | | | | high cost. Other features of VoIP are the capability to |
| you prefer, you can link all the phones in your | | | | save voice messages in WAV format, making it |
| residence so that they are all VoIP enabled. The best | | | | easier than ever to deliver them as one would an |
| thing is that there is no need to upgrade your phones. | | | | ordinary email. |
| Just put in the adapter, and you can start using it. | | | | |