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Equipment Options For VOIP Communication |
by:
Ron King |
The marriage of computer and telephone technology goes byfunny name of VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol). Butcost savings are no laughing matter.
The Simplest Solution -- Headphones
Attachheadset to your computer’s sound card and you can try VOIP for free!
Download any one ofmany VOIP software packages -- Skype, Gizmo, Free World Dialup, and NettwoPhone are some ofbig names. Install and invite your buddies to installsame software. It’s that easy to set up. Special features like call display, call forwarding, voicemail, and conference calls are also free as long as both parties are using computers.
It's even easier to use. Just click onname to startcall. Most of these so-called "soft phones" allow you to place and receive calls at no charge to and from anywhere inworld, so long as you are not connecting to cellular or landline phones.
Internet Phones
The next step up from headsets is Internet phones. They plug intoUSB port or sound card of your computer.
Because you still need VOIP software installed on your computer to make and receive calls, these phones are also considered soft phones. But they seem more like "real" telephones because they ring, have regular number pads and are used like conventional phones.
Analog Telephone Adapter (ATA)
Progressing upVOIP ladder, ATA is next. It allows you to connectregular analog telephone tobroadband modem. It is usually free when you sign up withprovider, similar to signing up withtelephone company. There ismonthly charge for this service, and you may have to signcontract committing you to that provider forspecified period.
UsingATA for Internet phone calls is straightforward. You pick upphone and dialnumber. Anyone calling you won’t even know that you are using VOIP.
A computer is not needed for this kind of link. It connects to eitherDSL modem linked to your phone line or cable modem attached to your cable television connection. Any traditional telephone can also be plugged intoATA.
You can even take your ATA with you when you’re traveling and receive phone calls from anywhere by connecting it to any broadband modem. Calls to your home phone number will be routed to your ATA (which hasunique identification) atsame cost ascall to your residence.
IP Phone
The final VOIP option isIP phone (notsame asInternet Phone). IP phones plug directly intomodem; Internet phones plug intosound card or USB port of your computer.
An IP phone ishandset that has allhardware and software built into it. You connectIP phone tobroadband modem, then make or receive callssame way that you would withATA.
The advantage ofIP phone overATA is that it iscompletely integrated unit. You don’t needextra telephone to plug into it. Another IP phone advantage is that your phone numbers are all stored anddisplay screen provides information about incoming calls.
There you have it: four choices that will all add up to substantial telephone savings.
Aboutauthor:
Ron King isfull-time researcher, writer, and web developer. Visit http://www.voip-solutions-now.comto learn more about this subject.
Copyright twozerozerofive Ron King. This article may be reprinted ifresource box is left intact.
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