7 Things you Didn't Know About VoIP

Don’t know what the term "VoIP" means, don't worry. You are not alone. Many people are unfamiliar with term. Today I will explain in layman’s terms what VoIP is and how it can be beneficial to you.

1. What is VoIP?
VoIP means "Voice over Internet Protocol " and is quite simply a way of using the Internet (or even in some cases intranets) for telephone conversations.

2. What are the benefits of VoIP?
The main benefits of using VoIP are cost-savings and convenience. VoIP is significantly less expensive than traditional fixed line telephone services, plus one high speed Internet connection can support multiple VoIP phone lines, so you can save on line rental fees.

3. How does VoIP work?
VoIP is a method of transmitting audio signals (your voice) over the Internet. Your voice is packaged into discrete digital packets and then transmitted over the Internet (or a private IP network); similar to how an email is sent. This “voice packaging” requires a device at one end to put the digital voice packets together and another device at the other end to pull it apart. This is exactly what a phone adapter does, allowing us to hear a voice conversation as though it was made via a standard telephone service.

4. What are on-net calls? And what is an off-net call?
An on-net VoIP call is a phone call where both ends, the originating end and the terminating end, remain wholly within a VoIP network. Most VoIP providers offer on-nets calls free of charge or at low costs.

An off-net call is where at least one party on the call, either the originating end or the terminating end, transits a third-party carrier’s traditional TDM network or a third-party VoIP network.

5. Is VoIP reliable?
Yes. VoIP has been commercially available for many years and many of the largest corporations in Australia and internationally use VoIP.

6. Does my computer always need to be on to use VoIP?
No, a computer is not required. A VoIP phone adapter with an attached standard telephone handset (can be a cordless phone) must be connected to a broadband Internet connection, but there is no need for your computer to be turned on at the same time.

7. Do I still need to keep my PSTN (traditional phone line) service?
We recommend you maintain at least one standard fixed line telephone service. Customers with a DSL service will still need a traditional phone line to support their DSL connection.

VoIP is also cheap, avoids the intrusion of copper cabling through your home and for people who already spend a great deal of time at their PC, the convenience of the VOIP applications a mouse click away certainly makes it an very attractive service.