VoIP phones have created a kind of revolution in long distance calling. The use of these phones has reduced call charges to a large extent. While earlier, long distance calling, both national and international used to result in exorbitant phone bills, use of VoIP solutions has provided callers with an extremely cheap and cost-effective calling option.

VoIP phones only require a broadband Internet connection to function. The call charges are very nominal or entirely free, depending upon the way the user is placing his call. The user only has to pay the charges to the Internet service provider. The role of the phone company and payment of any kind of charges to it is completely ruled out.

VoIP phone basically convert the analogue signals of the phone into a digital format and transport them over the Internet. In order to use VoIP solutions, the person who is calling as well as the person who is receiving the call needs to have a VoIP phone instrument that includes a headset and a speaker. Both the people who are communicating need to bear one very important fact in mind, that is, in order to communicate using VoIP phones, both of them need to have the VoIP software downloaded on their computer systems to which their VoIP instruments are connected.

VoIP software is easily available on the Internet and can be downloaded and set up almost instantly (within a span of three to five minutes). There are various ways of placing a call using VoIP solutions.

1.ATA: It is the simplest and most commonly used way of using VoIP phones. ATA stands for Analogue Telephone Adaptor. Using ATA, the caller can connect an ordinary phone to the computer or the Internet in order to use it with VoIP software.

2.IP Phones: These phones look like ordinary phones, but for the fact that they have a RJ-45 Ethernet connector. They are already equipped with all the necessary hardware and software needed to place a VoIP call and can connect directly to the router.

3.Computer-to-Computer: This again is the easiest and the cheapest way to use VoIP technology. All it requires is a headset with speakers and a sound card along with a fast Internet connection. The only charge is that of the Internet connection.

Now, you do not have to worry about huge phone bills, and neither do you have to resist talking to your loved ones who are separated from you because of distance. VoIP phones have made it much easier for people to place long distance calls, thereby cutting across the distance barrier and keeping aside the worry of mounting bills.