VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol. VoIP phone is also known as broadband phone because it requires broadband internet connection to make and receive phone calls. VoIP technology allows the conversion of voice into digital signal. The signal is then transmitted over the internet and converted back to voice when it reaches the destination.
VoIP phone service has many advantages over analog phone line. The major advantage is the cost. Since the voice signal is transmitted over the internet and is considered as data service, VoIP phone service is exempted from long distance fees. Therefore, many VoIP phone providers can offer a very low rate for long distance and international calls.
Many VoIP phone providers also offer bonus services such as caller ID, call waiting, call forwarding, conference calls for free. In contrast, you will have to pay extra for these services using analog phone companies.
Some broadband phone providers allow you to choose a virtual phone number with an area code different from where you live. For example, if you live in California and most of your friends and relatives live in New York, you can pick a virtual number for New York. When your friends and relatives call you from New York, they will only be charged for local calls and not long distance calls.
Nevertheless, VoIP phone service also has some disadvantages. VoIP phone service relies on broadband connection to transmit the signal, it will not work with dialup internet connection. The quality of internet connection also determines the quality of the calls.
VoIP phone service will not work if there is power outage and when the internet connection is down. It is safer to use it as a second phone line, or install a backup power supply and get a cellular phone as a backup.
The 9-1-1 service provided by VoIP phone service is also different from analog phone which is associated with a fixed address. The 9-1-1 emergency center may not be able to determine your location based on your virtual phone number. VoIP phone users should update their current address with their service provider to ensure that emergency help will be dispatched to your location promptly.
In summary, VoIP broadband phone provides great savings on long distance calls and is a low cost alternative for a second phone line. However, it also has its own limitations. Customers who wish to use VoIP service should ensure that they have a stable and high quality broadband connection. A primary analog phone or a cellular phone would be a good backup in case of power outage or internet connection problems.
Mobile Phones Advantages And Disadvantages
One major contributing factor for this evolution is the development and advancement of the VOIP telephony system. It has crossed international communication with a zip by eliminating expensive overseas call. Since the platform for this technological wonder is internet based, the caller and the recipient only need a DSL connection which is fairly common among businesses and households. Adapting to this communication system is quick since applications come for free or pre installed with other software.
Though this technology may bring wonders to the way the world communicates this doesn't mean it doesn't have its share of flawless. Here are the pros and cons of using VOIP.
Advantages:
- Mostly the service is free but dependent on the speed of the ISP connection.
- The data being used is interpreted as data being sent over the network just like as it is in an e-mail so typical internet structure is only needed.
- The bandwidth consumption is just half of what a regular analog telephone uses to connect to other telephones.
Disadvantages:
- Mainly, VOIP is powered by electricity. Unlike telephones, their cables have just enough current to power the components inside the telephone and make a phone call possible even if there is no power.
- Most electronic household devices are all linked to the telephone line. If the house has a security system that is DTMF coded, it is most likely telephone line dependent. Turning on and off the alarm or configuring a new setting with this security system can be done remotely via analog telephone. As of now VOIP is not capable of tapping their system to these security features.
- The VOIP line is dependent on the ISP's availability. If the ISP suffers downtime which is common among internet connections so does the VOIP phone system.
- If the ISP experience data lag, the VOIP user might also experience packet data loss which can be garbage audio over the other party.
- Another issue facing VOIP users is when the computer or the processor max out on its limits to process data and you are on an important phone call, it normally shuts down or hangs up, so that's one business deal going down the drain.
- A long shot problem VOIP might be facing since it is computer component based is the virus. Though there haven't been reports of viruses infecting VOIPs or infected packets used in VOIP but it's a possibility in the near future.
As of now VOIP has always been paired off with the traditional telephone since its platform is not that stable as the analog telephony. It can be of great advantage if used as a supplement to an existing analog telephone line but not as a main telephone.
Both Kwan Lo & are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Kwan Lo has sinced written about articles on various topics from Audio Books, Online Security and Computers and The Internet. Kwan H Lo owns an online site providing information on , and the. Kwan Lo's top article generates over 135000 views. to your Favourites.
has sinced written about articles on various topics from . . 's top article . to your Favourites.
Az Homes For Sales Always keep your content in mind. They say content in king, but unique and informative content is KING