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VoIP - How it works
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What is VoIP?
VoIP is an acronym for Voice over Internet Protocal or a free phone service over the Internet. Rather than using your phone line you use an Internet line to make phone calls. If you use broadband and call someone who has the FREE VoIP software Skype - your phone calls are absolutely FREE! If the person you want to call anywhere in the world does not have Skype it still only costs about 1 pence per minute.
Why use VoIP?
Lower Cost In general phone service via VoIP costs less than equivalent service from traditional sources. This is largely a function of traditional phone services either being monopolies or government entities.
Increased Functionality VoIP offers cheaper:-
Long-distance call routing: Incoming phone calls are automatically routed to your VoIP phone where ever you plug it into the network. Take your VOIP phone with you on a trip, and anywhere you connect it to the Internet, you can receive incoming calls.
Point-to-point connections: Home workers and sub-offices use internet connections to log-in to the main office network - their phones are extensions.
In-house telephone (PBX) systems: VoIP can replace expensive telephone system by using existing servers and ethernet cabling to handle phone traffic. A VoIP Gateway connects to the telephone system and Ethernet network (connects to Internet).
A VoIP Gateway has two ports - an FXS or Ethernet port which connects to the Internet and a FXO port which connects to your phone line.
How does VoIP work?
A way is required to turn analog phone signals into digital signals that can be sent over the Internet.
This function can either be included into the IP phone itself or in a separate box like an ATA - Analog Terminal (Phone) Adaptor. An ATA is a phone handset-to-Ethernet adapter that allows traditional (analog) telephone devices to be used with Voice over IP (VoIP).
VOIP Using an ATA
Ordinary Phone ---- ATA ---- Ethernet ---- Router ---- Internet ---- VOIP Service Provider
VOIP using an IP Phone
IP Phone ----- Ethernet ----- Router ---- Internet ---- VOIP Service Provider
VOIP connecting directly
It is also possible to bypass a VOIP Service Provider and directly connect to another VOIP user.
IP Phone ----- Ethernet ----- Router ---- Internet ---- Router ---- Ethernet ---- IP Phone
More Info about VoIP
