VoIP or Voice over Internet Protocol is the technology that allows for the routing of phone calls over the internet. To the average consumer what this amounts to is the ability to make free calls over broadband connections while retaining many features that a traditional telephone line provides. Increasing numbers of providers are appearing, providing a varied range of options on the same premise of giving users the ability to talk over the internet.

When the technology first emerged it may have only been possible to talk to people with the same service. Increasingly however, many service providers offer ways to call any other user as well as phoning land lines and mobile numbers. But considering that VoIP provides the same service as a phone, many might wonder why they should make the switch.

Well, the answer lies in money. VoIP calls are almost always cheaper than traditional phone services, especially with regards to international calls, and if you speak to people on the same provider, there is often no cost at all!

Some providers also offer an option for users to purchase an internet phone to use when they are making calls and ways to bypass traditional phone lines altogether. There are adaptors available to allow clients to use their VoIP lines without even having their computer on. Most providers also offer numbers where you can receive calls just like any other phone.

So, where are the differences and are there any extras? This will most likely depend on the services that your provider of choice offers and what you are willing to spend if they cost any extra. There are advantages to making calls over the internet especially if you are in front of a computer. This makes video calls and online chatting possible. smartly combines the facilities a computer provides with the conversation comfort of a phone, plus users can easily share files and pass on other information over the same connection that they use to talk.

The reliability of VoIP is rapidly increasing and more users are getting a better quality of service across almost all providers. As more people in the world make the switch, people and businesses in the UK will follow and enjoy much smaller phone bills due to VoIP.