Telephone lines, up until recently, have been called Plain Old telephone lines, that is, until the advent of VOIP which means: Voice over Internet Protocol.
VOIP works by tapping into existing, working high speed internet service. Through the use of a special VOIP Modem that is connected to a working high speed internet connection one can typically place phone and video calls to anywhere in the world for little to no additional cost.
When you setup the VOIP service in your home or small business and connect a telephone to the back of the VOIP router then you are ready to receive or place phone calls. The clarity of the phone calls with VOIP is often as good or superior to those made over POTS lines. Generally, there are significant cost savings by switching to VOIP. And often calls made oversees can be made at a very low cost compared to older style telephone service. The other great thing about VOIP is that when you travel and if you have the VOIP devices with you people can still reach you anywhere you have active internet service.
Downsides of VoIP?
VOIP service doesn’t come without risks the main one which is if your internet service is interrupted for any reason so is your ability to make phone calls; with VOIP service you are subject to internet service outages. Another potential downside of VOIP, or savings related, is the use of fax machines. VOIP is often advertised as being compatible with fax machine and generally this is correct however it’s not always 100% reliable because the transmission rates need to be slowed and many times an additional dedicated fax line needs to be installed and that costs additional money. Calling emergency services works only when you pay close attention to setting that feature up correctly within your VOIP service.
VOIP – Types of?
You will find there are three types of general VOIP service available at home. There are VOIP service providers such as VONAGE, GOOGLE, and Magic Jack.
Regular VOIP service providers typically require a special router like adapter be installed at your high speed modem. You then plug you regular phone into the adapter for dial tone and making phone calls.
Google is a service that often works through your PC and through GOOGLE online interface
A company like Magic Jack requires you plug a device into a USB port on a computer and then plugging the phone into the device
VOIP Summary
VOIP is Voice over Internet Protocol. You can order VOIP services from different providers all who are available on the internet. This is a low cost way to allow users to make and receive either phone calls or video calls. The call clarity is dependent on the speed of the internet service but often is very good compared to older style telephone services. Contacting emergency services through VOIP is allowed but only after special attention is given to setting up the emergency contact information.