There are three ways you can use VoIP. You...]]>
There are three ways you can use VoIP. You can either connect using your regular phone and an adapter, a special internet phone, or download software and use your computer. Here are the methods, in greater detail:
Using your home phone. If you would like to switch from your regular phone line to VoIP, many people opt to continue using their home phone. To do this, you must use an analog telephone adapter, or ATA. This device converts the analog signal (your voice) to a digital signal. Once the signal is converted, it goes through the internet connection. When shopping for a service provider, ask them if they include this adapter with their packages. Most do.
Connect using an IP phone. When using a special IP phone, you don’t need a separate ATA. Everything you need to use your broadband internet connection as your telephone service is included with the hardware. Instead of using a regular phone jack and connector, it uses an Ethernet connection to plug into your router.
Connect using your computer. If your computer has speakers, microphone, a sound card, and a high speed internet connection you can use your computer for VoIP. Companies offer free or low cost software downloads which allows you to use your computer to make phone calls. Using this method is either free, costing only the price of your internet connection, or nearly free. Earthlink’s Vling software is both free to download and free to use. The only hitch is that you can only talk with other Vling users.
Mike Bell is the webmaster of http://www.VoIP-Journal.com, a site devoted to providing users with VoIP news and information.
]]>The VoIP technology works if you have a broadband connect and a device called a router. The router enables your phone to call just like it always has, but now it’s over the broadband digital connection instead of through a conventional phone line. In addition to a router there is a VoIP gateway that connects you to a voice over network so that your voice can be converted into a digital sound instead of through the analog technology of the past. Information is basically sent in packets across broadband lines to give a great sound and seamless connection to those who have VoIP service and even those who do not. VoIP really is a revolution in combining internet access and telephone service because it utilizes the same technology for two very different things.
The VoIP is great because now you can have just one bill that allows you to have phone access as well as broadband service. Luckily, most companies can even allow you to be online at the same time as you’re on the phone. There really aren’t any limitations to the VoIP service and in the future it will only get easier. In the coming years digital phones will be made so that each consumer won’t have to have a router, and VoIP service will probably be more common than those who have a public telephone network. If you already have a broadband connection you should definitely consider a VoIP phone connection because it’s most cost efficient, it’s practical, and it really is the way telephone and internet service is going!
Laura Rupert is a freelance writer who contributes to The Tech FAQ.
]]>There is a current mandate by the US federal government that all VoIP providers offer E911 service. The initial blocking of this information was with the public switched telephone network maintained by the major telephone companies.
The next stumbling block is ‘naked DSL’ or DSL access without local phone service. This service is rare, but without it a residence would not be able to use VoIP as their primary phone service mechanism. You see, DSL is running over your existing phone line provided by your local telephone company. Drop your local phone service and you’ll probably drop your broadband DSL access as well. (Cable broadband access is a viable solution here and the increased cost in cable access should be offset by the reduction on your monthly phone bill)
These are just two fronts in the battle over VoIP. Should companies be compensated for the infrastructures they build? Should E911 service be ‘free’ and offered as a public service? What about the existing phone service run into our homes? Who pays for those lines to be laid and hooked into the public switched telephone network?
There really are no easy answers to the questions above. The phone companies are not about to give up customers without a fight. They have years and billions of dollars spent in building one of the most reliable communications networks ‘currently’ known to us.
Is VoIP the next step in the evolving communications industry? How will this play out with phone companies offering internet and TV services and cable providers offering phone and internet service? The line is being blurred and yet the technology pushes forward.
I don’t have the answers, only questions. I know how I’d like to see it all play out, but alas, there is no Nirvana and no, it would seem we all cannot get along. Not when there’s literally billions of dollars at stake. There will be winners and losers as this war rages on, but it is my hope that we, the end users, will, in the end, be better for it. After all, we’ve been down this path many times before and it’s turned out ok.
Remember the advent of the PC and where we’ve gone since then? Remember the first bulky cellular phones vs. what’s available today? Yes, TV’s, radios, computers, phones the list goes on. Technology advances will continue to push us into new directions. I’m sure that in the end, VoIP will be as commonplace as the home computer.
We can leverage this technology today in a cost effective manner. Like any technology how you implement VoIP will make the difference. Whether you’re a residential or business user, there can be an immediate benefit. Check with your communications broker to find out if your existing phone needs can be met cost effectively with VoIP.
http://www.fullservice-broadband-provider.com
The Full service broadband provider is a service offered by Try Right Technology, Inc. This service provides unbiased informative information on broadband technology as well as local/long distance and cellular service. Copyright 2005
]]>Voice over Internet Telephony is technology that means you can hold telephone calls over the Internet or an IP network. It eliminates the need for having separate lines for your Internet connection and dedicated voice transfer lines. There are many advantages to VoIP but because it is still an advancing technology you need to shop around to find the best deal. No cumbersome circuit switching is required and there is no depletion in the bandwidth associated with normal dual line systems. VoIP protocol means that voice data is only sent over the network when it needs to be, freeing up that bandwidth when you aren?t making ?calls?.
What are the Advantages of VoIP.
Voice over Internet Telephony isn?t widely used in office networks, let alone in the home, however if you make international phone calls then you are probably being routed through IP infrastructure because of the lower costs of calls. What this does mean, though, is that the infrastructure is quite obviously already in place and anyone who chooses can do so easily. This means that you can ?call? friends, family or associates using your own VoIP without the need for them to have the same technology installed.
The costs are phone calls that are reduced dramatically by using VoIP and once the infrastructure is in place there are usually little or no additional infrastructure charges required making it a cost effective and affordable telephony solution.
Because VoIP is a new technology you get the usual advantages of employing a new technology; increased technological advances and new technologies are employed meaning you get a state of the art system. Telecommunications providers have been regularly using IP networks to transfer voice data and so most of the teething problems have been thoroughly investigated and ironed out and all the advancements made have been integrated into a system you can have installed in your home, office or business.
You don?t necessarily have to transmit your calls over the Internet, and for more secure calls you can use private IP networks. For this reason many large businesses already have IP systems in place making inter-business calls much cheaper.
Electronic numbering makes it possible to dial traditional E 164 phone numbers connected entirely by your Internet connection. This means that you won?t face any call charges whatsoever, and all you will have to pay will be the cost of your Internet connection.
Is VoIP available for me to use now?
Companies like Vonage, VoicePulse and Packet8 are already offering flat monthly fees for their VoIP services meaning you can call anywhere in the country (sometimes even to other selected countries around the world) and only ever pay one flat monthly fee.
Vonage offer a service for $24.99 a month that allows you to call anywhere in the US or Canada. They also offer similar plans for small businesses.
Are there any disadvantages to VoIP?
VoIP, as a technology, is still in it?s infancy and new developments are being found every day. However, there are limitations to the service and the technology which need to be addresses before it can become a complete replacement for your standard phone line.
Because the Internet knows no geographic boundaries it means that, for example, calling the emergency services would not necessarily put you through to your local emergency dispatch centre.
In addition, you can?t send or receive faxes and you can?t route traditional modems, alarm systems or satellite systems through your VoIP connection, because they require access to a voice grade phone line. For the moment VoIP is a compliment to your traditional phone line, rather than a replacement, until these problems can be ironed out.
Summary
The advent of the Internet and improved telephone technology has seen the introduction of VoIP. It means you can make phone calls through your broadband connection; this in turn means that for a set monthly fee you can call anywhere in your country and selected international countries for as long as required and only pay one flat monthly fee.
The advantages of VoIP are still significant for homes and business users alike. Big businesses are already saving substantial money by installing IP networks and using VoIP protocol to transfer voice data. This essentially makes the calls themselves free, only having to pay for the Internet connection and the monthly VoIP fee.
VoIP looks like it?s here to stay. As the technology rolls out, it?s impact can only become greater.
? 2005 Nick Carter
Nick Carter is editor for http://www.voice-over-ip-insider.com, a key web resource for VOIP information.
]]>If your long distance phone service is costing you an arm and a leg, here?s a secret?you can make those calls for free. There?s a new technology called Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) that lets you make long distance calls over the Internet. Because the signal is not carried over land-lines operated by a phone service, the only charge you pay is your regular bill to your Internet service provider. To use VoIP instead of a traditional phone service, you must have a computer with broadband, or high-speed Internet access. The cost for this access may see high at first glance, but when you realize you save the money you would normally pay for long distance phone service, the true cost comes way down.
You can also use VoIP in place of your local phone service. One of the great things about VoIP is that you can save money using it even if the person you are calling only has regular phone service. Another way to save money on local phone service is to use a cellular phone instead of a land-line. This tactic takes a bit more consideration, because if you don?t have a good cellular service plan, using your cell instead of a local phone service can end up costing you more. Before you decide to shut off your regular phone service for good, be sure to crunch the numbers and make sure a cellular phone or VoIP is the best way to handle the number of local calls you make on a regular basis.
Voice over Internet Protocol calling makes good sense for most small businesses. Large business spend enough money on their phone service to work out the best deal, but many small businesses don?t have that clout. Using an alternative phone service is one way small businesses can put their profits where they do the most good.
Craig Whitley is a freelance writer and Internet entrepreneur. He is a featured columnist for numerous business-related websites, including Your-Phone-Service.info.
]]>Speed is defined: the act or state of moving swiftly . When you combine these two, you get Internet speed. High Speed Internet!
Over the last few years the Internet has seen major advancements in the ability of the average Internet user to achieve speeds that could of never been imagined in the days of dial up Internet. According to Nielsen//NetRatings, the global standard for Internet audience measurement and analysis, reports that in the United States there are 39 million, or 13 percent of Americans, connecting via broadband in the U.S., the highest number to date. That number is expected to grow to 61.5 million by 2008.
In Europe the numbers were even better, broadband households in Europe increased by nearly 65% last year, a rate twice as fast as the US. The highest growth was in France, until recently an Internet laggard.
With Broadband provider prices continuing to decrease and subscribership continuing to grow, you can bet that Internet Speed will continue to amaze.
For more interesting facts on Internet speed & to take a speed test for your internet connection please visit our website. Internet Speed
About the Author: Gio Mangano is the owner of T1 Providers which offers Instant quotes on T1 Line and T1 Service. She also publishes a blog on Best online casino gambling & reviews Best Online Gambling
]]>TDM technology has evolved over a century and was primarily developed at the behest of the old nationalised post, telegraph and telephone companies (PTTs) such as the UK’s GPO before it became BT. Therefore the TDM network is rigorously engineered and very robust. We take it for granted that when we pick up a phone and punch a dozen or so buttons, another phone will ring just about anywhere in the world. When that phone is answered, we (normally) have a clear and uninterrupted conversation. This is not surprising given that multiple layers of switches and wires between the two phones create a complete end-to-end 56Kbps circuit between them.
In the modern, highly flexible and mobile work space this marvel of technology has one drawback. You don’t call a person, you call a phone. Therefore, you assume that the person you want to talk to is going to be close enough to that phone to answer it, or has put a machine in place to take you call, or is willing to pay extra for it to be forwarded to another device. Meanwhile, in an IP world, you connect to the network from any IP device and if you are connected to the internet, then the Internet can tell those trying to reach you where you are. VoIP will allow you to call a person, not a phone.
The other drawback of the TDM connection is that the circuit has a fixed bandwidth that was originally designed to support a phone conversation and nothing else. Dial up data communications and fax technology are essentially technical compromises. Anyone who struggled to surf the web over a dial up connection will recognise this. The essential technical difference between IP and TDM technology ensures that a VoIP conversation makes better use of that bandwidth. Furthermore, with the ubiquitous availability of DSL, the Internet is now a multi-megabit, broadband network that breaks free of the 56 kilobit shackles of the TDM network. The result is that we can have far “richer” conversations with IP.
These conversations can include video images, instant messages and data - all over the same circuit. Voice over IP is but one application on this converged communications platform. Ebay’s acquisition of Skype is a good example of the creation a converged applications. Ebay is an on-line auction house that provides its bidders images and data about items for sale as well as conducting the auction over the web. Skype is an internet telephony service. Combined, the two businesses will offer a service whereby someone bidding for a particular item can click a button on the screen and talk directly to the person offering the item for sale. It does not take too much imagination to envisage similar applications driving improved efficiency and productivity across all shapes and size of business.
In summary, the three key advantages of VoIP over IP versus TDM are cost, flexibility and better, richer ways of communicating.
Formed in 1998, VegaStream is one of the most experienced players in the industrial VoIP market. The company supplies gateway CPE to both traditional telecommunications carriers and the new generation of Internet telephony service providers. VegaStream also serves the enterprise market through a global network of distributors and resellers supported by regional offices in the UK, USA and Australia. VegaStream is a non-listed UK company. Investors include the management team, Pace Micro Technology PLC and MTI Partners.http://www.vegastream.com
]]>There are numerous security c...]]>
There are numerous security concerns with VoIP with two common ones being the privacy aspect of eavesdropping in on a conversation and a second being the hacking into and use of a VoIP users account.
It is arguable that focus in relation to security aspects of VoIP technology has and continues to be improved and addressed. Even if this is not the case are there bigger holes elsewhere? Most VoIP users are operating on something other than a dedicated VoIP computer, network, broadband link. That is they are using an existing computer and everything that goes with and on it as well as a broadband link utilized for general internet purposes.
Thus the same risks and concerns in relation to security of personal computers and data transmissions therefrom is extremely relevant to the VoIP world. This is especially relevant if using software applications as a telephone rather than a standard telephone through an Analog Telephone Adaptor (ATA).
In the case of software on a home PC it would therefore be vital to secure the PC and operating system to the highest level possible by use of firewall(s) and anti virus software for starters. This should be obvious but how many users don’t keep their firewall and anti virus software updated along with the operating system as new security exploitations are encountered and security upgrades supplied?
Additionally consider all things wireless. Anything wireless means a radiocommunications transmitter at the departure point and a receiver at the other allowing the possibility of interception somewhere inbetween. For example users of a Wireless LAN such as one compliant with the 802.11 standard would need to consider security in relation to the wireless or radiocommunication transmission aspect.
Whilst things have come a long way from the days of non encrypted cordless phones and analog mobile phones that could be intercepted on a commercially available scanning receiver, along with Dual Tone Multi Frequency (DTMF) decoders meaning not only could conversations be listened in on but PINs, account numbers etc entered via the keypad could be decoded, you do not want to be the car with the mobile phone visible on the front seat or the house with the door or window left unlocked.
By examining, assessing and addressing the basic security aspects in relation to PC/server setup along with increasing security for the Voice Over Internet Protocol technology, it is hoped that the analogy could be drawn that so many others are more vulnerable that you will either go unnoticed or not be targeted due to the availability of much easier and worthwhile targets.
Summary
Whilst many questions still surround security of certain aspects of VoIP usage, there are other basic security considerations which if left unaddressed will definitely leave the user vulnerable in not only the VoIP sense but with all data storage and transmission aspects.
The Author has an Associate Diploma in Electronic Engineering. For further information, books or VoIP items, please visit All About Voice Over Internet Protocol.
]]>The number of adults familiar with VoIP grew from 37% to 4...]]>
The number of adults familiar with VoIP grew from 37% to 46% in the UK over the course of the last nine months. This figure grew even more noticeably in the United States, where it increased from 36% to 51%, according to survey by Harris Interactive.
There are still a lot of people, however, who haven’t even heard of this highly efficient telecom technology. 41% of respondents in Britain, and 36% in the US claimed that they had never heard tell of VoIP.
As for individual companies, Vonage was the most recognized VoIP brand name in the US, while Skype and BT were neck and neck for the title in the UK. Vonage and Skype had higher brand awareness among male respondents, while men and women were equally aware of “mass market” players like BT, AOL, and Verizon.
“The entrance of more mainstream brands moves the VoIP market onto the next stage, raising the questions: Will the big players use their scale and presence to quickly establish dominance? Or will their arrival lend credibility to the market and benefit the specialists?” said Harris research drector, Derek Eccleston, in a statement.
(Originally published by TeleClick.ca on April 18, 2006)
About the Author:
Jeremy Maddock is a well-known technology blogger who writes about VoIP providers and the telecommunications industry in general.
]]>Even now, not everyone is sure how to go about this technology for home use and does it have any benefit for your family. So lets clear our doubts regarding this technology.
First of all, you must have a high-speed Internet connection, which can be, satellite, or DSL Internet. The high-speed connection is required for VOIP to function properly and dial up connection doesn’t have the capacity to transfer voice without compromising on quality. Secondly, you need a gateway that is connected between your computer and Ethernet modem. The VOIP gateway is where your phone line will be plugged into. With gateways, you can be sure of getting improved voice quality.
VOIP is easy to use, and depending on the service and method you choose, installation can be as easy as downloading software or attaching an adaptor to your computer.
With the elimination of long-distances charges, unregulated charges, and all the freebies that come standard with VOIP service, it can actually amount to a significant saving for you. For example, you may be paying extra for features like: Call waiting, three way calling, Call forwarding, Caller I.D, Repeat dial. If you don’t want to leave out of the exciting face-to-face conversations with friends and relatives, get your videophone. One important thing to remember is that your gateway is reliant on electricity to function, which means power outages, will put your phone line out of service.
So, if you want to save money on your telephone service using the Internet, you will need to sign up with a VOIP service provider. Most providers allow you to call any phone number in the world for a moderately low fee. They also provide voicemail, call forwarding and conference calls, at no extra charge. Decision to choose VoIP depends on your needs. If you make a large number of long distance calls, it may be well worth looking into. VoIP services are often much less expensive than traditional providers.
Alen
xpert4u.co.uk
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