VoIP

What is VoIP?

VoIP stands for ‘Voice over Internet Protocol’ and it is the technology that allows you to make phone calls over the internet. It has been around for over three decades, but only now is it beginning to enter into mainstream usage, due to the increased penetration of broadband internet.

Without getting into too many technical details, VoIP works by recording your voice and compressing it into samples. It then collects these samples and transmits them as digital information over the IP network, literally sending your ‘Voice’ over ‘IP’.

Who uses VoIP?

VoIP provides a cheaper alternative to making overseas phone calls, so if you regularly make such calls then you could save a lot of money through the service. It also allows users to make video calls, a feature which has proved hugely popular with such services as Skype as it provides an extra level of communication when keeping in touch with friends and family in different places.

But VoIP is not just used by casual users: it is also used for businesses to make large savings on phone bills. Not only are internet calls cheaper (and free in many cases), but some providers also allow you to pay a monthly fee and receive a number of different features for convenience and cost savings.

These include receiving your own landline number that people can phone to connect directly to you, meaning wherever you are in the world people can still phone the same number to contact you. Some providers also allow you to make unlimited calls to a territory or number of territories for a monthly fee.

How is VoIP Used?

Computer to Computer

Most people use VoIP to make phone calls from one broadband-connected computer to another, but you don’t always need a computer. The only thing that is always required is an internet connection.

Computer to computer calls are free, not taking into account the cost of the internet connection and the computer. This service has become the main way that most people use VoIP when not in a business setting. Both parties need to use the same provider, and all you need to do is purchase a headset or phone (and a web cam if you want to make video calls), plug it into your computer and you’re ready to make calls.

Computer to Phone

But you don’t just have to phone other computers; you can also use VoIP to phone normal landlines and mobile phones. However, the service won’t be free and this is how the providers make their money. Having said that, phone calls are often a lot cheaper than making them from landlines, and are particularly cheap when making international calls. The receiver does not have to be connected to the internet, and instead, your provider routes your call through to the landline number so it’s just like receiving a normal call for them.

SIP

SIP uses the same technology as PC to PC calls. However, it is more common to use a SIP phone to make the calls, and this can plug straight into your broadband connection so you don’t have to turn your computer on to make or receive calls. This is very popular for companies that have offices in different countries – they can all install SIP phones and are able to make unlimited free calls to each other. Normal phones can also be adapted with a SIP adaptor to become SIP phones.

Mobile Phones

Many new smartphones now come with VoIP capabilities. This means you can download a provider’s package directly to your mobile handset and use it just as you would from your computer. However, some mobile phone operators are reluctant to allow this feature on their phones because they fear it could prevent people from making calls via their networks. For this reason, VoIP is sometimes restricted to WiFi connections and is not available on 3G connections.

Getting Started

To make basic computer-to-computer or computer-to-phone calls, you will firstly need to choose a VoIP provider such as Skype, Net2Phone or VoIPtalk. Which provider you choose will be determined by the types of packages they offer, the prices for making calls to normal phones and how many of your contacts use the same provider.

Once you have chosen your provider you will have to download the software to your computer, which is usually free to install.

You will then need to purchase either a headset to speak through, or use the microphone and speakers built into your computer if it has them. Alternatively, you can buy a USB phone that plugs into your USB socket and provides you with a more familiar user experience (see below for other handset options).

You will then be able to phone other people on the same software package as yourself free of charge via the internet, as well as phoning other landlines and mobile phones for a small fee determined by the VoIP provider.

If using a VoIP service from your mobile phone, simply download the service from the provider’s website straight to your phone and you don’t have to worry about buying any other handsets.

Types of Handsets

You have a number of options for choosing a handset to use to speak via VoIP:

Extra Features

Most good VoIP services allow you to take advantage of a number of the following features:

Advantages of VoIP

Disadvantages of VoIP

Providers