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VoIP, a new dawn or end of the home phone

admin — Tue, 15 May 2007 15:10:30 +0000

VoIP, end of home phone:
For more than century we are using telephones. Initially there were only landline connections which helped people to stay connected. That time, there wasn’t anything like phone feature because a phone is meant only for communication, where you can only make and receive calls. You must have seen a lot of change in modern world so telephony also changed its features and style. But, home telephone is still the most reliable source of communication. While features like, voice mail and messaging, was added lately in the traditional phone but the basic role of this landline phone remained the same. This phone never deviated from what it’s meant for.
But now the whole scenario is changing in a rapid pace. Today everyone wants to have everything within no time. Though for success it’s an essential part but the pace is really rapid. As home phones are not that capable to become a multi system for the user so more users are now opting for more value based services. Now there are numerous wireless networking telephony available in market which saves your extra money and are easy to access and use. In this step VoIP is an attempt to give people more ease of use with numerous added feature.
This is quite simple, let’s look at this in the following prospective. There is a home phone which you have been using for ages now. It’s a phone which doesn’t provide you any additional feature. And in the other hand there is a VoIP phone which is providing you numerous features with a calling facility that is too economical for you. So, obviously you will choose to have the VoIP over the home phone, if given a choice. You want telephony for connectivity and you want to save some dollars over the system, so there isn’t anything bad in it.
I am not saying home telephone is bad or we should change it, but here we are talking about the present scenario of the telecommunication. But with time your needs also change. Now you are having various gadgets to make your life faster than before. Whether it’s your Black Berry phone or wireless Internet, now everything is prepared to make your life easier. So, in this regard, home telephony fails to satiate the needs of some users. The wire connection the stagnant feature, everything makes home phone look outmode and redundant. So more users are now switching over to wireless phones and connections.
And if you know about the latest VoIP phones then you are making my work easier. VoIP telephony is an economical way of communication through telephone or computer. VoIP gives the freedom of seamless connectivity without any hassle. It doesn’t need the traditional wiring nor need you to carry loads of machinery for this to install. Only a simple set up can easily install your VoIP service. More and more people now trust this service to save those extra dollars. Indubitably, VoIP is a revolution in telecommunication. With numerous features, this service is gaining the momentum rapidly.
As more people are going for VoIP, so there are various challenges for this service. It’s not that you can’t always give a single service but you need to be adaptive to stay in market. Hence, today you can find various service providers giving VoIP phones with their services. This is quite natural, as everyone wants to retain the customer and want to make few more as well. So, people have started expecting more from these VoIP phones. Though it’s quite natural, but in this way you can find a bigger competitive scene in telecommunication.
VoIP can make your life easier with its seamless technology. Our age old phone always followed a simple tradition of wired telephony but with VoIP you get a lot of thing in handy. Whether it’s your office, home or any place a VoIP lets you enjoy your telephone. It isn’t that late since we got the first VoIP installed, and since then we have started saving more and more with this amazing service. Your VoIP can be connected to the traditional phone or computer, so doesn’t matter what instrument you have, you can certainly enjoy the connectivity. And cost saving is a major part which appeals users to switch over to these phones.
Many companies are now providing Internet telephony which is somewhat similar to the VoIPs. The best known name is the Skype. It has become synonym to Internet telephony. Skype provides VoIP software which lets you use your headphone to make calls anywhere in the globe. Skype provides both paid and free services, though the paid service also charges quite minimal amount. Now you can find various VoIP phones in market. Major phone manufacturers are designing these phones for Skype and other service providers. You can install this software in your computer or even mobile phone and once installed it gives you the freedom to call around the globe with minimum charges.
The latest addition to this system is the wi-fi enabled VoIP phones. Netgear, another manufacturer of VoIP hardware is collaborating with Skype to design wi-fi VoIP phones. These phones will have a special feature where you can use the wi-fi to connect your VoIP. Many users want to have a complete wireless set up at there home, which is provided by the servise providers. But, for home set up it becomes little difficult to make every place wi-fi, because the wi-fi set ups are basically designed for large offices. So it becomes difficult for service providers to set up a good wi-fi system at home. With the latest wi-fi VoIP phones, now everyone can have a wi-fi at their home, office, car and almost anywhere. This technology can change the whole concept of VoIP and wi-fi service. Undoubtedly, this conglomeration will be the best if it works as its being promoted. After all, both VoIP and wi-fi are the most contemporary ways of communication and the ease of use they provide is surely loved by the users.

Headphone or Handset, what’s your choice?

admin — Tue, 15 May 2007 13:40:38 +0000

VoIP for Beginners

For all of you who haven’t ever heard about the works of VoIP then hold your breath. Here I will be telling you the advent of fast technology, a technology that can surely change your life. If you make long distance calls and are sick of the bills then here is a solution for you. Here is VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) which is simple and easy for anybody to understand. This is a simple protocol which helps you to make long distance calls to anywhere in the world and that’s for the minimal charges. All you need is an Internet connection and you are ready with your VoIP.

VoIP uses a simple method, where it changes the ordinary analog audio signals to digital signals which are sent over the Internet. If you have an Internet connection and paying monthly charge then you don’t need anything else to have a VoIP set up. This lets you have a complete set up to make free long distance phone calls. This is not like the traditional cabling or wiring. This system lets you enjoy free calling with some softwares available free in Internet.

Today, there are numerous service providers who offer Internet telephony for free of any charge and some also charge a little amount compared to your regular phone bills.

nterestingly, VoIP is not limited to the personal usage only. Now many companies are having there very own VoIP set up which lets them talk to their clients without any disturbance and extra cost. This VoIP is not a very new thing. You can find numerous service providers who are providing this service for years. But, I can’t deny that the term has taken momentum in recent years. With the globalization now everything is performed through outsourcing and for that people need to be connected. And when we are taking about the connection of two different worlds then this needs a huge expenditure. But, through Skype these companies easily communicate with there clients without expending much on telephone bills. As soon as high speed Internet came to our life every communication form started changing and VoIP is just an example of this changing communication process.

I think I have talked a lot about this VoIP and you must be thinking how such software can be so useful. Then let me tell you, this software is now the best form of economic telephony. Now, there are various ways in which this VoIP is used almost every individual has his choice of system to make this service more easy. But, in a broader sense there are basically three major categories of VoIP telephony which are ATA, IP Phones and Computer-to-Computer.

ATA or Analog Telephone Adaptor is most commonly used form of VoIP. ATA uses a quite simple methodology. ATA adeptly hooks up the various components of your house. You can connect your regular phone with the computer which you have at home and you can connect them with your Internet connection. Here the ATA does just the simple thing. It turns the analog signals from your phone to digital signals. You can set up this connection quite easily. You need an ATA which will be connected to your phone and then you need to connect a socket into the ATA, and then the ATA is connected or plugged to your computer which is then connected to the Internet. Various ATAs include software which has to be installed which always involves a simple process and once you install your ATA you are ready with your VoIP.

Second is the IP phone for the VoIP. This IP phone is quite similar to the regular phone. The look and design everything is like the traditional phone or sometimes like the latest mobiles that you get. It has the similar buttons and functioning. The only difference is that you don’t have a normal jack like your phone in this IP phones rather it has an Ethernet connector. This means you don’t need to connect this phone with the wall jack as you do in your regular phones. You need to plug it directly into the router that is provided by the service provider with your Internet connection. This phone doesn’t require any software installation. This phone allows you to connect your computer with the phone and software is pre installed in the phone. Presently you get IP phones which come with a USB chord which can be directly connected to your computers and laptops. But, very soon wi-fi IP phones are going to be launched which will give you the wireless technology so that you can connect with your computer and phone without any wire. And this wi-fi gives you the opportunity to connect to the Internet in any Wi-Fi hot spot at any place.

Third and last is the Computer-to-Computer connection. This is the most commonly used form of VoIP services. This is the simplest and cheapest method to use the VoIP. You can make free calls through your computer. You don’t need to pay any fee for these calls doesn’t matter what plan you have. All that you need is a pair of headphones and mic and a good Internet connection. And of course you need to have a sound card installed in your computer. Doesn’t matter how much you talk through your VoIP, you don’t need to pay any charge except your Internet bill.

Your present calling plan might be covering several long distance areas but through the computer-to-computer you can make phone calls to any place on earth. All you need is an Internet connection at both the ends. You can make your office calls to destinations where the provider has service but in VoIP you are not restricted by any land limit. If you have a laptop and an Internet card then you can make calls to any destination without any bill or charge. With VoIP you can stay connected with everyone whether you are in a vacation or in office.

Using IP Phones to Make Internet Calls

admin — Fri, 15 Sep 2006 11:29:59 +0000

When we think of VoIP, most of us automatically think of a headset with a built in microphone. It is, after all, the most commonly used tools of internet callers. They are easy to acquire and are inexpensive. All you need to do to complete your equipment is download the necessary VoIP software.
There is another alternative that is gaining popularity. This is the IP phones. Those of our community who love technology but want it more easily integrated into our everyday life love these.
The concept is nothing new; it has been around for some time. The equipment however has been refined over the years.
IP phones look pretty much like your regular phone. Some are designed to look like your standard office desk phone. Others are made to look like your mobile phone. It is hard for someone unfamiliar with them to distinguish them from your ordinary handset. N fact, it is that very sameness to what we already use that makes these units appealing to a lot of people. It encourages their confidence that they can easily use this new technology.
If we talk about capability however, the IP phones are a breed apart. They were designed to accommodate all the existing features of current telephone handsets plus still operate some special functions. For example the new models have caller ID, call forwarding and three way calling just as your regular phone does. Plus, these models also have a built in camera and screen for your video conferences. You don’t need to have a separate web cam anymore.
If you are wondering whether this will mean that you’ll be stuck with a clunky rectangular phone unit, you can relax. There are units that are as slim and elegant as your mobile unit. In fact, some look exactly like it.
You also don’t need to worry about the phone being stuck in one place like a landline. There are wireless IP phones available on the market for you to use.
A few things you need to note about an IP phone. It runs on power. If there is no electricity, you won’t be able to make any calls, unlike the regular phone that would still have a dial tone.
You should also note that you cannot make calls to emergency numbers or to directory assistance from a VoIP handset. This problem is already being addressed but at this time, no solution has been put forth. In the meantime, make sure you have a way to call for help if you need it.
Since IP phones use the internet as your means of connection, you need to have at least a high speed connection or broadband in order for your conversations to be clear. Too slow a connection and the quality of the phone service goes down.
All these however are easily hurdled and will soon be overcome. VoIP is part of the wave of technology that is moving our generation to the future. Why not try out the technology for yourself?

VoIP Providers: Choosing the Cream of the Crop (Part 3)

admin — Tue, 02 May 2006 09:42:59 +0000

Of course with the big players you’ll generally pay about 5 or 10 dollars more, just for the assurance of having a well-known brand name like AT&T or Vonage ( the current largest VoIP providers in the market).

But then more and more companies are spreading its wings, so again, it’s all up to you. However, keep in mind that if a service has less than 100,000 subscribers you might want to think twice before signing up for anything.

Lastly, consider the fact that regardless of its popularity VoIP is still a new technology. So, there are no guaranties that you’ll find the service to your liking. Therefore, switching cold turkey is not a good idea. Whenever you’re trying something new, it’s always advisable to test the waters first.

You might want to consider trying out the 30-day money back guarantees that most providers offer instead of signing for the regular subscription. However, I advise that you read the terms carefully first just to make sure that the offer has no hidden agendas. You might also want to try VoIP as a second line. Once you’re convince that the service is truly what you’re looking for, you can make the full transition.

So, contemplate on these factors first before you take that plunge. After all, information is the key in making a sound decision. Happy hunting!

A Closer Look at VoIP Devices (Part 4)

admin — Tue, 25 Apr 2006 10:45:50 +0000

An analog gateway consistently has the same number of voice channels as the number of interfaces. For instance, if there are 16 interfaces then it can handle 16 concurrent calls — not so for digital gateways. A digital gateway may have a particular number of digital trunk interfaces and each holds a specific number of voice channels inside.

Take T1 (which is used in the USA) for example. It has 24 channels or lines inside. Meaning if you order T1 trunk from the local telephony provider you’ll be getting 24 different lines with 24 numbers. Now if you’re expecting a heavy call load, it might be a better idea to get a DX4096, which handles up to 96 calls!

Another VoIP device is the router. This is the device which forwards the data packets along networks. Typically, a router is connected to at least two networks. This is either to two Local Area Network (LANS) or Wide Area Network (WAN) or a LAN and its ISP’s network. Routers can be found at the gateways, the place in which two or more networks connect.

Routers also use headers and forwarding tables in order to find out which is the best path for forwarding the packets. They use protocols like Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) in order to communicate with each other and configure the best route among the two hosts. However, the data are scarcely filtered through routers.

A Closer Look at VoIP Devices (Part 2)

admin — Sun, 23 Apr 2006 10:35:15 +0000

ATA is actually an analog to digital converter, meaning it translate the analog audio signal from your phone and to digital data then allowing it to travel over the Internet to perform the call. ATA is quite easy to use. You simply plug the cord from your home phone, which normally goes into the wall jack into the ATA then you’re ready to make that call!

The Internet Protocol or IP phone is the next device in our list. This is just like your typical phone at home, with the usual handset and buttons. The only difference is that a standard phone has RJ-11 phone connectors, whereas an IP phone has a RJ-45 Ethernet connector. This device is directly connected to a computer’s router and includes all hardware and software that are needed to make a VoIP call straight from your computer. Since it works just like a standard phone it makes making a call relatively easier, compare to making calls using a microphone and speakers.

That’s about it for the basic VoIP devices. Now let’s move on and take a closer look at the more complicated VoIP equipments, namely the gateway, router, firewall and lastly the so-called “power over Ethernet”.

A Closer Look at VoIP Devices (Part 1)

admin — Sat, 22 Apr 2006 10:30:38 +0000

From the moment Voice-Over-Internet Protocol or VoIP was launched in the market, we bid farewell to exorbitant long distances charges for good. With VoIP you can call your family and friends who lived thousands of miles away from you at anytime without worrying about your phone charges. This phenomenal technology has indeed altered the telecommunications industry forever.

In case you’re wondering, VoIP works by translating your voice into data and then sending it over via the internet. And since it’s the VoIP devices and software that is responsible for this process and not the phone companies there are no- long distances charges! What a cool way to keep in touch with your love ones.

So what are these devices and how do they work you ask? Well, the market has several types of these miraculous gadgets available. Not only are these devices user-friendly but very affordable as well. Each one is widely used by the public and offers a slight advantage over the other.

First on the list of VoIP devices, is the Analog Telephone Adapter or simply “ATA”. This allows you to connect a regular phone to your computer and Internet connection in order to make a VoIP call.

Getting the Best Out of VoIP(Part 1)

admin — Thu, 13 Apr 2006 13:16:42 +0000

What motivated most companies to move their voice traffic to the enterprise IP wide area network (WAN) is mainly due to the fact that there was a slight possibility of it being more cost effective than any other network. Although later most of them found out that Voice over IP (VoIP) quality are not always suitable to business use.

Furthermore, as VoIP is launched to the network, the performance of other business-critical applications that are already at risk with the growing Web/Internet traffic, started to deteriorate even more. The challenge is to ensure that the performance of real-time VoIP calls while protecting business data that needs instant response times, in a manner that optimizes the efficiency of the WAN.

The growth in real-time and interactive business traffic that requires immediate response mandates a layer of application-aware control that intelligently links the performance requirements of a growing mix of converged data, VoIP and video applications with available network resources in a manner that assures an optimal user experience.

This application-aware, traffic-management solution should work with the existing IP network, and should assure the performance of individual VoIP calls and application flows. Policies should be accurate and application-aware, and tuning performance in both the inbound and outbound directions should be possible to ensure the integrity of each user connection.

Alarm Systems vs VoIP Phone Lines (Part 3)

admin — Tue, 04 Apr 2006 11:41:16 +0000

A limited use phone line would costs you about $15 a month (or even less). But this can easily be offset by the savings that you can make on your long distance bill.

Cellular communicators are also available, which can make your alarm call over any available cellular network. However, this option may very well make you shell more money rather than save since the device may cost about $200 to $500. Not to mention the additional fee of nearly $10 a month to your monitoring bill.

There are several alarm companies who offer radio signal transmitted monitoring services that do not depend on phone lines of any sort to transmit your alarm signal. However, the availability of such services is limited and depends on where you live.

Meanwhile, alarm companies are continuously working with manufactures and providers of VoIP services in order to find ways to properly integrate Alarm Systems with these phone communications industry changes. We could all hope that a lot of these changes will be observed in the not so distant future, since this is no passing fad. So it is important be on the lookout for updates on these changes, to ensure that you are always making an informed decision.

Alarm Systems vs VoIP Phone Lines (Part 1)

admin — Tue, 14 Mar 2006 11:27:43 +0000

More and more people are dropping their traditional telephony system in favor of the latest trends in phone service, VoIP. The draw to such a change is most often cost related. Traditional phone companies charge use fees and by the minute charges, coupled with long distance fees. VoIP companies are charging a flat fee somewhere between $15.00 to $30.00 US per month, for unlimited calls to anywhere in the US and Canada.

VoIP works by digitizing voice signals from your phone and sending them over the Internet via your home or business computer. While people are scrambling to make the switch and begin to count the money they are saving, they may not realize that there is a good possibility that they are cutting the link between their alarm system and the monitoring station. Another link that is lost in most cases is traditional 911 services, as VoIP does not capture data for emergency response.

When your alarm goes off due to an attempted break in, is no time to find out that the monitoring response that you have been faithfully paying for is not available for you. The Alarm Company has no way of knowing that you switched services.