Internet Voice, also known as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), is a technology that allows you to make telephone calls using a broadband Internet connection instead of a regular (or analog) phone line. Some services using VoIP may only allow you to call other people using the same service, but others may allow you to call anyone who has a telephone number - including local, long distance, mobile, and international numbers. Also, while some services only work over your computer or a special VoIP phone, other services allow you to use a traditional phone through an adaptor.
The calls are made over a data network like the internet. VoIP converts the voice to a digital signal that can travel over the internet then converts it back to voice once it reaches the other end. This enables you to speak to anyone with a regular phone number. When placing a VoIP call using a phone with an adapter, you'll hear a dial tone and dial just as you always have. VoIP may also allow you to make a call directly from a computer using a conventional telephone or a microphone.
Placing a Call
All VoIP Services are a bit different in the way you place a call. If you have an adapter connected to your internet Connection you can-just pick up your phone and dial the number. The call goes through your local phone company to a VoIP provider. The call proceeds over the internet to the called party's local telephone company and the call is completed. You can also plug a microphone headset into your computer, this is a good option it you have a slow (dial-up) connection as it cuts out some of the echo commonly heard in slow connections. Utilizing a headset, the number is dialed using a keyboard
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
How to make calls to different countries using ...
By: Vansas | 13-05-2008
how to make calls to different countries using voip. what is the procedure to do so?
Best VOIP Phone Model to Buy?
By: TonyBrook | 27-04-2008
I am considering looking into a voip (voice over internet) phone system for easier contact with my family around the world. Can anyone suggest which would be the best model for me to look into??
what is the advantages of PSTN?
By: muna | 04-04-2008
what is the advantages of PSTN?
I am looking for a USB Skype phone without an LCD ...
By: drabsv | 03-02-2008
I am looking for a USB Skype phone without an LCD display and not requiring any special software to work with any VOIP program; that is I am looking for the usual plug&play headhones + mic, just shaped like a handset and with a USB connection. Any suggestions, please?
I have a asterisk based IP Pbx with me.Now I want ...
By: pmedisetti | 24-01-2008
I have a asterisk based IP Pbx with me.Now I want to reach a mobile number in New jersey from my softphone.what is the sip trunk recommended and how I can integrate it with our IPpbx?
What is VoIP market status at the end of 2007?
By: Edward_Y | 13-12-2007
What is VoIP market status at the end of 2007?
Q&A Powered by:
Latest Advice Articles
Train To Be A Psychotherapist
By: Shaun Parker | 16/05/2008
Examining what is involved in becoming a fully trained psychotherapist.
Relationship Problems? You Should Try Counselling
By: Shaun Parker | 16/05/2008
A look at how a relationship can break down and the ways in which counselling can help.
Powerful Questions
By: Christophe | 14/05/2008
Do you ever find yourself talking in circles? Conversations seem to cover the same ground time after time – almost as if you’re lost in the mist and walking in a circle, back to the same landmarks again and again.
One way of starting to make some forward progress is to ask questions.
8 Keys to Getting a Good Night's Sleep
By: Karen Romine | 12/05/2008
Sleep deprivation is a major factor in the stress, unhappiness and dissatisfaction of hundreds of thousands of people. And these hundreds of thousands of people have the same reasons you have for not doing anything about it. leep can seem like something else we have to "hurry up and do," and we get frustrated when we say jump and our inner sandman doesn't say "how high." Bossing the sandman around doesn't work, but there are ways to elicit his cooperation.
Marital Infidelity: Get Counseling Before Its Too Late! From Crystal Lake and McHenry
By: Mike Shery | 12/05/2008
If you or a friend has been affected by someones infidelity, this article is a must-read! It describes the different types of extramarital affairs, how to deal with each one and the little-known and surprising ways that counseling can help.
How to Have Class - With Regard to Your Car
By: CJ Carter | 11/05/2008
Class is an enormous beast. One thing is for certain. Your car can denote your class. First tip: No matter what kind vehicle you have you must constantly remember that the three classiest colors you can own are black, gray, and white.
Marital Troubles: Should We Get Counseling? From Huntley, Algonquin and Crystal Lake, IL
By: Mike Shery | 11/05/2008
Should you and your partner work on your troubled relationship on your own, or should you hire a professional marriage counselor? Is a marriage counselor worth the time and expense? This article tells you everything you need to know to fix your marriage fast so that it suddenly looks like the one you have dreamed of.
Mother’s Day, Sex in the City,
By: gracey hitchcock | 10/05/2008
The need to be in your daughter life --a parents job- how friends can motehr each otehr --getting the love you need
More from Christine Hancock
It is Time to Switch to VOIP
By: Christine Hancock | 17/04/2006 | Advice
It's always been AT&T and the Bell Companies. They have been in control for a very long time. They have been able to decide what you pay for telephone service and what you pay for long distance. Just like TV took advertisers away from radio, the Internet
Online Dating Blogs?
By: Christine Hancock | 17/04/2006 | Dating
The world of dating has gotten out of hand. They have allowed for women to give us guys seven minutes to win them over in what they call "speed dating". So much for foreplay. I mean seriously, whatever happened to the wine me, dine me days of dating.
Online Dating - Interview With Women
By: Christine Hancock | 13/04/2006 | Dating
I have written an article where I interviewed men who have used online dating services and actually went on real dates with women they met.
Online Dating Services And Options
By: Christine Hancock | 05/04/2006 | Dating
Online dating seems to have been around as long as the Internet itself. I have been on the Internet for some years now and don't remember there being an Internet without online dating services.
Online Dating - My First Time
By: Christine Hancock | 31/03/2006 | Dating
Okay. I'll take a look, but I'm not saying that I'm going to participate in online dating just yet. I've heard the success stories and the horror stories about online dating, but I do not have any first hand experience to share with you on the topic.
Online Dating - Is It Still Just For Geeks?
By: Christine Hancock | 27/03/2006 | Dating
We see TV commercials and get emails all the time about online dating.
Self Improvement 
