Recently, Voice over Internet Protocol(VoIP) pops up as one of the hottest technologies in the world. VoIP is a method for taking analog voice signal, turning it into digital signal, and transmitting it over the Internet connections. This in turn enables users to make Internet phone calls without going thru the phone company service.

As the technology is now getting more reliable and offers much lower rates, it has gained huge popularity for long distance voice transfers over traditional analog long distance services. Some even see VoIP as the revolutionary technology that will replace the conventional phone systems entirely.

How VoIP works?

VoIP phone calls is done in three stages: Encrypting the analog voice signal (the callers voice) into digital signal; transmitting the digital signal (data packet) thru Internet to the person answering the call; and decrypting the digital signal into analog voice signal again on the receivers side.

VoIP calls are done thru several methods: ATA, IP phones, or PC-to-PC. Basically each of these methods performs the same function: To enable voice communications. However their service fees varies in a wide range. Careful review is definitely needed to select the service that best suits you.

VoIP calls through ATA

ATA, (Analog Telephone Adaptor) is an analog-to-digital converter used on regular phone to enable VoIP calls. What ATA does is to capture the analog voice signal and converts it into digital signal for the Internet transmission.

If you had been looking for suitable for ATA service for some time, I am sure that Vonage and AT&T are no strangers to you. These two are the big names in VoIP business. Often ATAs are given free along with their paid-VoIP services.

Setting up and using ATA is very simple compare to other VoIP call methods. All you need to do is to take out the ATA out of the box, connect your phone with your ATA with the cable provided, and you're ready to make VoIP calls. Some ATAs may ship with additional software that is loaded onto the host computer to configure it; but in any case, it is still a very easy setup.

IP Phones (also known as SIP phones)

IP Phones are special phones specifically designed for VoIP function. IP phone can be considered as a network endpoint routing voice via its IP address. These specialized phones look just like normal phones with a handset, cradle and buttons. But instead of standard RJ-11 phone connectors, IP phones use an Ethernet connector to connect directly to your router and have all the hardware and software necessary right onboard to handle the IP call.

With IP phones, you can get additional advanced features such as e-voice mail, mobile screening and direct call transfers. Recently, CallWave Mobile offers something similar but the service is set up on the cell phones. What CallWave provides is an application service provider that host voice-over-IP applications for carriers and users from a server located in northern Nevada. The host is then connected to the rest of the world via IP transport. In brief, the service enable VoIP calls to be done on cellphoneto lower the users cellphone calling cost.

PC-to-PC

PC-to-PC is certainly the easiest way to make VoIP calls. Ever heard of Skype? Skype is the best example for this type of VoIP service. For PC-to-PC calls, all you need to do is to download the PC-to-PC VoIP software and you can then start making long-distance calls via Internet for free. For PC-to-PC VoIP calls, a microphone, speakers, a sound card and fast Internet connection are required. Besides your regular Internet service provider fees, theres no other extra charges.

Conclusion

Wrapping things up, we can see that by marrying this voice traffic with data traffic (IP Telephony), VoIP becomes a very powerful communication method that you cant ignore. To replace the traditional telephone system or not, VoIP service is here to stay. If you are looking for a cheaper alternative on your long distance calls, VoIP definitely is your ultimate choice.

We strongly suggest that one should review VoIP technology seriously and should learn utilizing it into your personal life (Skype, CallWave Mobile) as well as your own business (Enhance customer call supports, eVoice mail, ATA services).

Benefits of VoIP calls

Great savings on phone call rates

The impact of VoIP technology is huge. With VoIP, you can simply enjoy a much cheaper phone calls by utilizing your existing PC set up and data networks. Most VoIP companies are offering minute-rate plans structured as little as $30 per month; for mobile VoIP like CallWave Mobile, the minimum payment is less than $10 per month and you can get free 30 days trial for the service. With the elimination of unregulated charges and additional features given; it can be quite a bargain!

Flexibility

With VoIP services, business travelers or home workers can work as in the office. You can call freely from anywhere you have the Internet connectivity. Further more, you get another alternative with VoIP-- the soft-phone. A softphone is a application software that loads VoIP functions into your computer. With soft-phone, you can make VoIP calls thru your laptop/desktop from anywhere that has the Internet access

Enhanced Customer Service

Often the telephone customer supports will consume a big part of a business budget. With the availability of VoIP calls, business owners can utilize the "Click to Talk" web services set up a customer service application like call centres with enhanced features and low maintenance cost. Additional advance features

VoIP always come along with various additional advance features. These extra features in fact provide a better communication services to the users. Common seen additional features for VoIP services are:

Forward calls to a particular number

Send calls directly to voicemail

Block the callers number or play a "not-in-service" message

E-voice mail, where voicemail is sent to your email inbox in the form of email attachment

Disadvantages of VoIP calls

Power problem

Unlike traditional phone system, VoIP is dependant on wall power- meaning that you cannot use your VoIP service when theres electricity black out. A stable power source is needed to solve this problem.

Security

Voice and data transmit through VoIP calls have the higher risk on being expose. Further more, VoIP is susceptible to worms, viruses and hacking, thus the safety of the data transmitted had been always a major concerns for VoIP users.

Quality of service

The quality of VoIP service depends on different party. Problems in electricity power supply, Internet connections, and VoIP providers will direct affect on the service quality. The reliability of VoIP is a huge disadvantage when compare to conventional telephone services.

Compatible-ability with other systems

Nowadays there are many other systems in your home that may be integrated into the phone line. DVR system, digital subscription TV services, and home security systems are all depending a standard phone line to function. The related industries must think of a way to integrate all these system with VoIP if we want to replace current phone system with VoIP system. New standards on data transmission method are necessary to enable all systems compatible to VoIP system.