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[V154]Voice Over Internet Phones

by Jassi Muskan, Jas

Phones that use Voice Over Internet Protocol, or VoIP, are generally referred to as broadband phones. The major function of such phones is converting analog voice data into digital data so it can be transmitted over the Internet. The phones link to high-speed Internet connections via computers that enable voice communications. Broadband phones have transformed the Internet into a technology that can provide telephone calls for free by avoiding traditional phone service providers.

VoIP phone technology has the capability of changing the way people talk to one another around the world. VoIP service providers are growing by leaps and bounds, and major phone firms are establishing a presence in markets worldwide by offering calling plans that have bundled VoIP broadband phones with their other services. The Federal Communications Commission and other regulators around the world have started to investigate the new technology and study the impact and future risks associated with it.

The VoIP phone looks just like a traditional phone. While a regular phone connects to the wall socket with an RJ-11 connector, a broadband phone connects to a computer or router using an RJ-45 connector. All broadband phones come with software pre-loaded to handle IP calls. In a recent innovation, Wi-Fi VoIP broadband phones have become available. These phones can make calls via any Wi-Fi hotspot. VoIP can also use ATA sets, which are telephone-like boxes that connect to a computer and convert analog voice data to digital signals. VoIP can connect calls made from one computer to another computer as well. This means users only pay for the Internet connection and not for the call itself. VoIP phones are dedicated devices and can be used only for making calls using this technology, however. To get a taste of what is available in a VoIP phone, users can check out the latest version of Yahoo Messenger, which is voice-enabled. It can be used to make computer-to-computer calls, and it is very easy. Another place to check is

Long-distance callers may be making VoIP calls involuntarily using their VoIP phones and paying regular costs. This is because most phone firms around the world want to reduce their bandwidth by routing some calls through circuit switches to an IP gateway.

Experts predict that all the existing phone technology that currently uses circuit-switched networks will be replaced by packet-switching technology. VoIP offers financial and infrastructure efficiencies, costs less, and is more effective. Broadband phones are used by most corporations, and it only a matter of time before they are commonly used in individual households. VoIP phones can be used to call anywhere in the world that has a broadband Internet connection. VoIP firms offer rate plans similar to those of cell phone companies for individuals who want only VoIP broadband phones, usually $30 to $80 per month. Users can take their phones anywhere or use a laptop computer to make PC-to-PC calls.

But the explosive growth of high speed internet changed all that. Primus Canada, in 2004, became the first to offer VoIP which is Voice over Internet Protocol, service in Canada.

VoIP allows people to make telephone calls using a broadband internet connection. And with broadband penetration reaching a saturation point in Canada, the potential market for the internet phone service was huge. Promotional internet phones were being were being made for different companies at a fast rate. This made a million dollar industry up for grabs, and these companies that were ordering promotional internet phones were getting advertisement for their companies.

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission said in 2002 that about 95 per cent of the local residential and business phone markets were controlled by former monopolies such as Bell and Telus Corp. According to CRTC, the two markets were worth nearly $10 billion that year.

The competition spread from Canada and now Skype, a major international player with more than 100 million registered users, offers software that can be downloaded for free. It works over any broadband internet connection and allows unlimited free calling to regular phones within North America and other Skype users anywhere in the world. It also offered low-cost calls to regular phones outside North America.

There are a few free internet phone services. BroadPoint was the pioneer of the type that allows you to call from a regular phone to another phone, in exchange for viewing advertisements, visiting websites, or signing up with partner services. BroadPoint unfortunately went out of business. PhoneHog now offers this class of service with several improvements.

The next class of free calling services lets you call any phone from your computer. Your free calling is unlimited and you don't have to spend time listening to ads. Ads are displayed on your browser to pay for this service, but you can ignore them. Your computer must be equipped with a sound card, microphone and speakers or headphones.

Promotional internet phones became the wave for advertising in North America. You could plug these promotional internet phones into the computer to hold real-time conversations through an internet connection. They are easy to use, hands free operation. A contemporary modern design, with a company's logo and information makes it an excellent promotional internet phone idea.

One promotional internet phone has a built-in extra bright neon light for viewing in the dark, which can be turned on and off. It is a speaker phone that is plug and play. This promotional internet phone requires subscribing to a VoIP service which is available online.

Promotional items have become popular for fundraisers, and now that the computer world is here, things to do with computers are the best items for fundraisers. This includes the promotional internet phones. These can also be Corporate gifts or employee gifts.

For any business, the promotional internet phone is the ideal product to have for selling, gifts, and excellent ways to advertise a business where the name is present everyday to people using the promotional internet phone.

Article Source : Pg. 51

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Both Jassi Muskan & Matt Franks 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.

Jassi Muskan has sinced written about articles on various topics from Guide Guitar, Adsense. Did you find this article useful? For more useful tips and hints, points to ponder and keep in mind, techniques, and insights pertaining to Google Adsense, do please browse for more information at our websites.. Jassi Muskan's top article generates over 480 views. to your Favourites.

Matt Franks has sinced written about articles on various topics from Culture, Marketing and Home Accessories. Matt Franks is director of Fluid Branding, the UK's largest supplier of and other. Matt Franks's top article generates over 165000 views. to your Favourites.