VoIP: Voice Over Internet Protocol

Voice Over Internet Protocol or VoIP is the way of the future for telecommunications. ViOP is the transfer of voice information over the internet. While not currently in wide use by phone customers, Voice Over IP has exploded in recent years with the adoption of broadband and mass market ViOP IP Phone service providhonesers like Vonage.



ViOP IP Phone ADVANTAGES

Major advantages of VoIP over traditional phone service are first the incredable cost. Calls via VOIP IP Pare free or much less expensive. ViOP to ViOP calls are free while in the case of ViOP to PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) the VoIP caller is charged a nominal fee.

When travelling, your VoIP number can be transported with you and you can send or receive calls to and from your VoIP number from anywhere in the world where there is internet access. Your ViOP will also be equipped with free services that traditional PSTN service providers will charge extra for or not offer at all like 3-way calling, call-waiting, and call-return.

A negative of ViOP is that in the case of power failure, your traditional phone service will continue to work because of the low amount of energy required and the use of back up generators at the PSTN station. VOIP requires full power to your modem even if you have broadband through you DSL line. You will need back-up power at your home to continue to have service.

Another downside is the ease with which VIOP calls can be eavesdropped on or even changed. Most services do not offer encryption at this time and calls are exposed. Softphone provider, Skype does use strong encryption but the encryption standard used by Skype is not known.

If you decide that ViOP is for you, then you will need to compare VOIP options that are available to you. A breakdown of the major mass-market services is provided here to help you decide which VOIP service to choose.

VONNAGE

Vonage is aimed at users who are technically savvy and who have broadband service. With Vonnage and BrodVoice, you have the advantage of complete portability anywhere in the world you have internet access.

Gizmo Project and Skype are similar to Vonage but rely on a software client and do not have the portability that Vonage or BroadVoice have.

Verizon Voice Wing and AT&T CallVantage are provided by your cable provider and allow you to make and receive phone calls just like you would with your traditional phone. These phone services are for those that are not as tech savvvy as Vonage users and there service is frequently known as "internet phone" or "Internet Telephone" and also "Digital Phone". Your phone may be plugged into a jack and service is indistinguishable from PSTN traditional phone services. Pricing for these services tend to be more attractive than traditional phone services as providers try compete for subscribers. These services also do not necessarily incur the same taxes and other line maintenance fees. Internet Phones do not have the portability that services like Vonnage provide. Try out VOip today.

Comments from Scott P. in Washington DC
     Posted on: 04-19-2007
     Rating: Neutral

How do you think Vonage is going to emerge from their lawsuit with Verizon? Will I still be able to use Vonage?

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