Wednesday, August 26, 2009

VoIP (Voice Over Internet-Protocol)

Telephone calls through broadband: this is the future of telephony. Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology represents a revolution in the way we communicate. Here's an outline of three of the most common ways that VoIP can be used to make cheap phone calls.

You've probably heard about new technology that allows people to use broadband to make cheap phone calls. Perhaps you already make calls or video-calls yourself from your computer. Whatever you know already, it helps to have a clear, basic grasp of how this exciting new generation of telephone services works and how it can be used.

The technical name for making cheap phone calls using broadband is 'Voice Over Internet Protocol'. Some people call it 'Voice Over IP', or even 'VoIP' (say "voyp"). Perhaps you've heard of 'VoIP phones'. VoIP is, basically, the umbrella term for the technology for making telephone calls using the Internet and broadband. It uses audio systems to encode speech in a way that means that it can be transmitted digitally over an Internet Protocol network.

There are many ways of using VoIP technology and a broadband connection to make phone calls. Here are three of the most common.
  1. PC to PC
    The first, simplest and typically free way to use VoIP is 'PC to PC'. For this, you'll need to be at your computer, as will the person you're calling. You'll also both need a headset/microphone/speaker. And you'll need either USB VoIP phone, which plugs into your computer's USB socket. If you don't have that, you can install or download a piece of software called a 'softphone'. This allows VoIP calling without dedicated equipment. Though this is undoubtedly the cheapest way to make VoIP calls, the call quality is often not great. And you're tied to your computer.
  2. PC to Phone
    The second popular way to use voice over IP is by using your PC or computer to call a normal landline or mobile phone. The advantage of this is that the person you're calling doesn't need to have signed up with the same service, doesn't need all the equipment etc. You, though, will be charged for these 'outage' calls. And you are, as above, tied to your PC.
  3. Phone to Phone
    A VoIP provider sends you a VoIP adaptor. You use this to connect your normal digital cordless ('DECT') telephone to the broadband modem / router on your computer. Once you've installed the VoIP provider's software (this converts the analog signal to a digital one), you continue to use your phone exactly as before, using your existing broadband connection to make cheap telephone calls. To call, you pick up your existing digital cordless (DECT) phone and dial as normal. Your computer doesn't even need to be switched on. When their phone rings at the other end, they answer as normal.
The beauty of this final method of using voice over IP is that your computer doesn't even have to be switched on for you to use the VoIP technology and broadband to make calls. The person you're calling doesn't have to have signed up to the same VoIP provider. Nor do they need to have broadband, or be at their computer. In fact, they don't even need to have a computer.

So there it is - three of the most common ways in which you can now use VoIP technology to make cheap phone calls.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/

How VoIP Benefits Modern Business

VoIP Benefits to Business

VoIP is really a wonderful technology to all the corners of the world. VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) has been a trendsetter for all the people doing business all over the world. VoIP is mainly used for communication purposes; It’s a great alternative to traditional telephones. It plays an important role in saving lot of money in long distance calls to business and common people.

Most of the Business Migrate to VoIP Telephony system.

If you take Big, small or medium companies among the essential things for a business to run, communication is very essential. For ex If you take a business whether it is small, medium or large making communication with clients, employees are vital, some companies have branches all over the world and some companies may have clients all over the world to help them the most Invention of VoIP has become a boon to business people where the cost of making an long distance call is very low compared to traditional phone charges.

Guidelines for Switching to VoIP Telephony system.

I’m now going to explain you about the guidelines you need to check before switching to a complete VoIP telephony system.
  • When your business has more 70% of your clients living in other state or country.
  • When you have plenty of branches spread across the world.
  • Need to often conduct conference calls, talk with clients, talk with employees etc.
VoIP Service Provider Selection Basics

There are plenty of VoIP service providers and you need to take a correct decision on which VoIP service provider will be suitable for your business. All the calls that you are going to make for your business are vital, you need to make sure that any VoIP service provider you select must have this following things.
  • Round the clock – call center to attend your issues either by phone or email.
  • Track record of their support and how quickly and qualitatively rectify the issues.
  • Check a trial with the sound quality before signing up for a plan.
  • Compare Call charges with other service provider before accepting the plan.
Make sure you get some value added benefits on signing up for the plan like free calls to certain destinations or numbers.

VoIP without Computers

To operate with VoIP you don’t need computers anymore, VoIP routers are available in all leading tech shops or you can purchase it any one of the leading online store. This is how you will do, VoIP Router helps you to connect analog or telephones to the Internet, this enables you to avoid computers for making VoIP calls.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/

How to Make Free Phone Calls Using Your Browser

Everyone is talking about VoIP telephony. You might have used Skype once in a while and talked over the internet yourself. But not everyone wants to install software on his computer or use a headset. Now there's a new and free service to make phone calls using your web browser and your regular phone.

Freebuzzer gives you the ability to make free international calls from your web browser. No registration or credit card is required and callers won’t need any software or downloads to use the new Freebuzzer service, just their existing phone. Advertising and special offers for callers cover the cost of the calls.

To use Freebuzzer’s service simply go to http://www.freebuzzer.com on your computer. At the site, enter the phone number from which you will place the call, along with the phone number of the person you want to call. Freebuzzer will then connect both phones free of charge.

Freebuzzer’s service can be used from more than 42 countries, including: Andorra landline, Australia landline, Austria landline, Belgium landline, Canada, Chile landline, Cyprus landline
Czech Republic landline, Denmark landline, Estonia landline, Finland landline, France landline, Germany landline, Gibraltar landline, Guam landline, Hong Kong, Iceland landline, Ireland landline, Israel landline, Italy landline, Japan landline, Korea South landline, Liechtenstein landline, Luxembourg landline, Malaysia landline, Monaco landline, Netherlands landline, New Zealand landline, Norway landline, Panama landline, Portugal landline, Puerto Rico, Singapore landline
Spain landline, Switzerland landline, Taiwan landline, United Kingdom landline
United States, Vatican City landline, Virgin Islands US landline

Consumers will be able to make up to three international calls per day and can talk up to two minutes per call.

I strongly recommend Freebuzzer for short or medium calls to international destinations that are covered by this service - it's never wrong to save a couple of dollars.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/