Use Your Broadband Connection as a VoIP Phone Service

VoIP or Voice Over Internet Protocol is a promising technology that allows you to have a phone conversation over the Internet without actually having to use a conventional telephone line. This is made possible by a combination of the right equipment and a VoIP service provider.

VoIP, also known as IP telephony, works by converting sound waves, like your voice (which is an analog signal), into a digital signal that can be sent via the Internet. The person you are talking to on the other end hears the re-converted digital signal to sound. Since the exchange should happen almost simultaneously, it is not uncommon to use high-speed or broadband Internet access.

As it is with a technology like VoIP that develops quickly, it is important for you to know what it is about as well as the latest developments concerning it. Being familiar with these things become useful when making a decision to what phone setup and service provider to select.

A VoIP service has a range of options that depends on what kind of service and equipment you choose. Among these are
(1) being able to call only people who use the same service provider
(2) calling long distance and even international numbers and mobile phones
(3) calling from a computer using a microphone or VoIP telephone
(4) using a conventional phone that is connected to a device called an ATA (analog telephone adaptor).

Required equipment
Since you need access to the Internet, it goes without saying that securing an Internet connection is required. Other equipment you will need depends on the kind of VoIP service you avail of. It can be as simple as a microphone and speaker set to a VoIP-enabled telephone. In some cases, an ATA may be necessary as well.

Make calls for free
It is possible for you to avail of VoIP without actually paying for the service. The most well known software that allows you to do this is Skype. Users who have installed the software on their computers can make calls to people who have the same program installed in their systems. It is also possible to calls landlines and mobile phones but a fee is charged for that.

Of course the limitation lies in the fact that if the person you wish to call does not have Skype on their computer (if they have a computer at all), you will not be able to make that free call. Nevertheless, this option is widely popular among people who wish to try out the technology without having to pay a subscription fee for it.

Service Providers
If a more comprehensive service (such as being able to call landline and mobile phones) is what you require, then you would need to secure a subscription from among the many VoIP service providers out there. Among the major players are Vonage and AT&T as well as other service providers. Some of them are listed below:
• Net2Phone
• AOL Internet Phone Service
• BroadVoice
• Dialpad
• GalaxyVoice

Whether you choose a free service or subscribe to a service provider, touching base with someone in the neighborhood or across the globe has become not only easier but cheaper as well. All you need is to know what you want and the amount of money you’re willing to spend to avail of it – there is bound to be service that will address your requirements. Once that is settled, it’s just a matter of reaching out and touching someone.