| What is VoIP? | | | | Why do some VoIP services cost money, and |
| VoIP is the transmission of voice communication | | | | why are some free? |
| through IP packets and, therefore, through the | | | | A VoIP service can connect users not only with |
| Internet. VoIP also called Voice over Internet | | | | other VoIP customers but also with phone |
| Protocol, IP Telephony, Internet telephony, | | | | services that are offline, such as those that use |
| Broadband telephony, Broadband Phone and Voice | | | | traditional landline networks and wireless cell phone |
| over Broadband is the routing of voice | | | | networks. For those calls, VoIP service providers |
| conversations over the Internet or through any | | | | must pay access fees to the landline and wireless |
| other IP-based network. | | | | operators. Those charges are passed along to |
| How PC to PC call works? | | | | VoIP customers. Calls that are between personal |
| When you make a PC-to-PC VoIP call to your | | | | computers with VoIP service (Some VoIP |
| friend, your analogue voice signals are first | | | | providers offer free calls to some destinations). |
| converted into many bits of digital packets on | | | | What are VoIP Gateways? |
| your computer. These packets are sent through | | | | VoIP gateways are devices that take analog |
| the Internet to your friend's computer IP address. | | | | voice signals and convert them to IP for |
| Upon arrival, these bits are reassembled together | | | | transport over the LAN or WAN. |
| again at your friend's computer and your friend | | | | Which VoIP codec should I use? |
| hear your voice. | | | | VoIP codecs currently available are: G.711, G.723, |
| What do I need to start using VoIP? | | | | G.726, G.729, GSM, and iLBC. |
| Computer with sound card | | | | What is SIP ? |
| Internet connection | | | | VoIP comes with an additional set of acronyms: |
| VoIP communications application such as Viatalk | | | | SIP, H.323, and IAX. SIP stands for Session |
| Headset or USB phone | | | | Initiation Protocol. SIP is a relatively simple protocol |
| What are the benefits of VoIP? | | | | that has characteristics similar HTTP and SMTP. |
| There are many benefits to having a VoIP | | | | Which protocol should be used? |
| solution, for example: | | | | SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) is an emerging |
| One low monthly fee covers all of your phone | | | | protocol that is more simple than H.323 and |
| calls. This is where we can help you. | | | | optimized for better voice performance. SIP has a |
| There are no unexplained taxes or regulatory | | | | lesser overhead than H.323 and a more simple |
| fees. You know the ones on your current bill that | | | | architecture. |
| nobody understands and your local phone provider | | | | What's The Difference Between Phone-based |
| can't explain. No taxes are charged for Internet | | | | VoIP And Computer-based VoIP? |
| based phone calls which is one reason why the | | | | Phone based VoIP converts your home phone |
| service is so cheap. | | | | into a VoIP service using a special adaptor. |
| Long distance and international calling are much | | | | Computer-based VoIP runs on your desktop or |
| cheaper. The Internet does not care whether | | | | laptop computer; this makes it more flexible, |
| you're calling someone who lives a block away or | | | | because it moves around with the computer - this |
| your cousin in Australia. This is why the VoIP | | | | means you can take it anywhere in the world. |
| service providers can give you such great rates | | | | Can I Use The Hardware From One VoIP Service |
| for long distance and international calls. | | | | With A Different Provider? |
| What's Free And What's Not Free? | | | | In general, no. Most of the major VoIP providers, |
| Generally speaking, calls between VoIP users are | | | | such as Vonage, AT&T CallVantage and Verizon |
| free. For example, two Yahoo or Skype users | | | | Voicewing, "lock" their hardware so that it can |
| can call one another directly online for nothing. | | | | only be used with their service. Some providers |
| Calls to traditional land lines are what you pay for. | | | | effectively lease the equipment to you and will |
| What are VoIP Service Providers (VSPs)? | | | | refund part or all of a "setup fee" when you |
| VoIP Service Providers are the next generation | | | | terminate service. If you buy the hardware |
| telcos that provide interconnection between VoIP | | | | outright via a retail package, however, you'll have |
| and PSTN networks. They allow call origination and | | | | a nice doorstop if you decide to terminate or |
| termination between these two networks. You | | | | change VoIP service. |
| can compare and reviews at AZ - VoIP Providers. | | | | |