The basics of this technology explained.
Pronouncing it sounds like the noise a broom makes when you run it across a coarse carpet, but VoIP doesn’t have much to do with cleaning. VoIP, or Voice over Internet Protocol, is a technology that allows you to make voice calls through an internet connection instead of the traditional land line. “So, how does it work?” and “Why should I use it?” I hear you asking. Well, you’re in luck – your questions are about to be answered.
Since traditional phone signals are analogue and the internet uses digital signals, VoIP works by converting analogue signals to digital and then transmitting them. But, if you are connecting with another VoIP user, there is no conversion necessary. Because VoIP is digital, you won’t be able to use your regular phone to make and receive calls. But, before you start panicking, VoIP phone are almost identical to analogue phones. The only difference is that VoIP phones, or IP phones (since we’re splitting hairs), have an Ethernet port for digital input.
Since the world is mostly digital, the benefits of VoIP calling should speak for themselves. But since they don’t, here are a couple:
o It will save you money: VoIP is cheaper than traditional phone services. Done deal.
o It makes landlines portable: The days of finding a payphone (what’s that?) or good cell reception are long gone. VoIP phones make the internet your landline, so you can talk no matter where in the world you are.
So, if you don’t count the internet usage, VoIP calls are basically free. Furthermore, you can take your number with you and use it anywhere in the world. These are the basic benefits of this technology, but, let’s be honest, we just love saying the acronym so much that it counts as a benefit too.
