The term VOIP is an acronym which stands for Voice Over Internet Protocol. VoIP phone service is typically delivered using the internet (think Vonage) or private, carrier owned IP networks which transmit voice alongside data.
To contrast this, traditional landline telephone service is delivered over what we call the PSTN, or Public Switched Telephone Network. The PSTN has been around for many decades, and is owned and operated by carriers with household names such as AT&T, Sprint, Verizon and others you have likely heard of. This traditional network for call delivery includes the poles and wires which run along streets and highways across the country.
VoIP phone calls use specialized hardware (such as VoIP Phones or VoIP Adapters) and software to digitally packetize voice, preparing and transmitting it over an IP network in much the same manner as an email is sent from point A to point B. Just like emails, some of these voice packets can occasionally get lost in transmission. VoIP uses specialized software tools called CODECs to compress and decompress VoIP packets, and it is the job of these VoIP CODECs to fill in the gaps if voice packets get lost in transmission (during a VoIP phone call). To achieve this, the VoIP CODEC generates a small bit of audio that resembles the lost packet, thereby filling in the gap with a small bit of audio and you never know the difference.
Voice packets can also be delayed, much like an email that does not get delivered to its intended recipient as quickly as it should. VoIP CODECs can also account for and correct lost or delayed voice packets, so that the quality of the VoIP phone call remains acceptably consistent.
If you have a reasonable quality Internet connection you can get phone service delivered through your Internet connection instead of from your local phone company, foregoing poles, wires and copper landlines in favor of digital calls delivered over broadband. Whether or not VoIP makes sense for your home or business depends upon your motivation and circumstances.
Many people get VOIP phone service in addition to their traditional PSTN (landline) or cellular phone service. VOIP service providers typically offer much lower rates than traditional phone companies. If you have friends, family or business associates overseas, you can save a great deal on international phone calls by going with a VoIP provider.
Loading ...