If you've ever suffered the pain of high telephone bills, then VOIP is the cure, the service is often a fraction of the cost of normal landline telephone services and the clarity of the connection and communication is of a very high standard.
VOIP call plans are typically aligned with the cost of a local call, even for long distance or international calls.
VOIP has enabled business and personal users to hook up with other VOIP users, or even normal landline users, anywhere else in the world via computer and an internet connection, preferably and ADSL or cable due to the bandwidth requirements. Typically, a VOIP service re-routes the telephone call via software or a hardware unit, through the internet connection to the VOIP service provider, who then channels it outside to the normal telephone network.
VOIP comes in many shapes and forms. Software VOIP, typically Skype, utilises a software program installed on the user's hard drive, opened when needed and controlled via the keyboard or a mouse. Typically, there are now handsets available, which can be plugged into the USB port of a computer to enable the user to converse through the handset rather than through the microphone and headphones typical to most PC setups. These VOIP services have call plans, which are usually pre-paid, and the user's credits decrease with the use of the service. Usually calls to other users of the same VOIP service are made free of charge, to anywhere in the world.
VOIP is also available via a hardware unit and normally, the customer purchases a box type of unit, which plugs into an AC outlet and to the Ethernet port of the PC. The customer pays a VOIP service provider a monthly fee which can include a monthly allocation of free calls. The telephone line from the customer's landline service is plugged into the box and allows the service provider access to the box to download upgrades or other remote access requirements.
A new development is a service, such as Skype, offered in a unit, which sits on a table and works independently of the PC. The unit is similar to a small hard drive with the VOIP software installed within. This eliminates the sometimes inconvenient task of turning on the PC and firing up the VOIP program just to make a call.
Power outages are a drawback to the VOIP service. If there is a power outage, then the PC is out of action and so, therefore, is the VOIP service. If there is a PC problem, which puts the PC out of action, so therefore is the VOIP service out of action. Another drawback can be the voice and communication clarity. Whilst most services have developed systems, which eliminate most of the interference, a period of heavy internet traffic will cause bandwidth problems and the clarity of the call will suffer. The call will seem as though it is being made on a cell phone, which is going out of range and will cut in and out. For an important business call, this is not a desired outcome.
The advantages of a VOIP service, both economically and the technology, far outweigh the disadvantages. The service is cheap, avoids the intrusion of copper cabling through your yard or from a power pole to your house and makes use of the internet to connect anywhere in the world for a fraction of the costs of the traditional telephone service. People spend a great deal of time at their PCs in this age and the convenience of the VOIP applications a mouse click away certainly makes it an attractive service.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Changing The Way We Communicate Online!
It’s pronounced voy-ip and comes under a variety of names including; IP telephony, internet telephony, broadband phone and voice broadband. Yes, it’s VOIP also known as voice over the internet protocol. It’s the newest technology for managing voice conversations over the internet and it’s sweeping the world.
The benefits are numerous beginning with more autonomy and mobility for call center agents who can now work from anywhere with a broadband connection. Another benefit is that so long as you have internet access you can receive calls anywhere in the world. This means that the technology is independent of geographical location. Imagine making sales calls from a Virgin Mega Store in Sydney, or better yet from your own home. Also imagine video conferencing with no sound lag, while still being able to answer other incoming calls. All of these scenarios are possible with this new technology and its improving everyday.
Since 2004, VOIP has been mass marketed over many broadband networks. It has been advertised as allowing users to have full phone services with inbound and outbound calls over the internet. The largest marketers are even offering unlimited calling to certain areas for flat fees. You’ve probably seen advertisements by companies such as Vonage or AT&T claiming the benefits of online calling and it’s mostly true. With the advent of VOIP you can potentially bundle all of your services with one large media provider. For example, AT&T is willing to bundle broadband internet, cable television and “internet phone” for reduced prices.
INC and Entrepreneur magazines have claimed VOIP to be one of the greatest cost cutting tools for bootstrapping entrepreneurs. These savvy opportunists who wish to appear professional for a fraction of the cost of a traditional switchboard can do so through this new technology. Certain companies are in fact promoting virtual VOIP PBXs (private branch exchanges) allowing online voicemail, which is then forwarded to your email as an mp3 or texted to your cell phone. Even small businesses can use VOIP to setup multiple extensions under one phone line.
Regardless of its great service and benefits, there are some challenges facing this new technology. VOIP can only be used most effectively over a broadband internet connection and requires a power adapter. Consequently, in times of power failures VOIP cannot be used. Along with this there is news that occasionally certain emergency calls to 9-1-1 have been misrouted. In addition faxes and other telephone based equipment such as home security systems require phone lines and for now are not accessible over VOIP. Essentially, VOIP is best used as complementary system rather than as an exclusive communications tool.
As internet phone usage continues to expand and services improve you could potentially save quite a bit of money for yourself and your small business, while enjoying the perks of making unlimited calls from anywhere in the globe. If you are interested in setting up VOIP there are several very large companies worth researching. Including; AT&T, Broadvoice, Broadvox, Lingo, Paket 8, Verizon, Voiceglo, VoicePulse and Vonage. Starting rates vary from company to company but typically range between $20.00 and $35.00 per month.
The benefits are numerous beginning with more autonomy and mobility for call center agents who can now work from anywhere with a broadband connection. Another benefit is that so long as you have internet access you can receive calls anywhere in the world. This means that the technology is independent of geographical location. Imagine making sales calls from a Virgin Mega Store in Sydney, or better yet from your own home. Also imagine video conferencing with no sound lag, while still being able to answer other incoming calls. All of these scenarios are possible with this new technology and its improving everyday.
Since 2004, VOIP has been mass marketed over many broadband networks. It has been advertised as allowing users to have full phone services with inbound and outbound calls over the internet. The largest marketers are even offering unlimited calling to certain areas for flat fees. You’ve probably seen advertisements by companies such as Vonage or AT&T claiming the benefits of online calling and it’s mostly true. With the advent of VOIP you can potentially bundle all of your services with one large media provider. For example, AT&T is willing to bundle broadband internet, cable television and “internet phone” for reduced prices.
INC and Entrepreneur magazines have claimed VOIP to be one of the greatest cost cutting tools for bootstrapping entrepreneurs. These savvy opportunists who wish to appear professional for a fraction of the cost of a traditional switchboard can do so through this new technology. Certain companies are in fact promoting virtual VOIP PBXs (private branch exchanges) allowing online voicemail, which is then forwarded to your email as an mp3 or texted to your cell phone. Even small businesses can use VOIP to setup multiple extensions under one phone line.
Regardless of its great service and benefits, there are some challenges facing this new technology. VOIP can only be used most effectively over a broadband internet connection and requires a power adapter. Consequently, in times of power failures VOIP cannot be used. Along with this there is news that occasionally certain emergency calls to 9-1-1 have been misrouted. In addition faxes and other telephone based equipment such as home security systems require phone lines and for now are not accessible over VOIP. Essentially, VOIP is best used as complementary system rather than as an exclusive communications tool.
As internet phone usage continues to expand and services improve you could potentially save quite a bit of money for yourself and your small business, while enjoying the perks of making unlimited calls from anywhere in the globe. If you are interested in setting up VOIP there are several very large companies worth researching. Including; AT&T, Broadvoice, Broadvox, Lingo, Paket 8, Verizon, Voiceglo, VoicePulse and Vonage. Starting rates vary from company to company but typically range between $20.00 and $35.00 per month.
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