To begin, there is an Ethernet hard phone that contains an IP telephone that looks exactly like a regular telephone. However, instead of the conventional telephone's jack, there is an Ethernet port through which it communicates directly with a VOIP service, gateway or other phone. There is a broadband hard phone that communicates directly with the service, gateway or other phone that does not require any personal computer or any software running on a personal computer to make or receive a VOIP phone call.

Are you confused yet? You probably are. If you are like most of us you really do not want to know what makes it work. We just want it to work and to always work. We are definitely a high-tech society that wants everything fast or even faster-and the VOIP phones are no exception.

You can actually have two separate telephone systems in your home or business. The old fashion phone that plugs into the wall and a VOIP phone are both available. The VOIP phone can be used independently from your standards telephone.

Instead of a regular line, you use an internet connection. While PC based software may be cheaper a regular phone is best when using the VOIP system as your primary telecommunications system. It can include many different features that you already have in your current system such as speed dialing, call forwarding call waiting, 3-way calling, caller ID, blocked calls, and automatic redial features.

So, what is really different about the VOIP phone? It connects through the modem via a dialup internet service to a remote VOIP server. All that is required is a phone line and an internet account but this cause a problem when traveling unless you know how to make the VOIP forward messages to your cell phone. And, you might not be able to send messages via the VOIP in foreign countries were dialup is still prevalent.

It is the wave of the future and eventually it is believed that every business, government and individual citizen will be using a VOIP phone-it is just a matter of people learning about the new technology and wanting to have it.

Still confused? If you are the average person, the answer will be yes to that question. Before investing in the VOIP system or telephone, you need to make sure that you really understand how it works, whether it will meet your personal needs, and if you can resolve minor problems that might arise.

So, you have done your homework, talked to other people about the system, checked out the internet and are ready to get a VOIP telephone. The benefits are really good if you are very mobile and travel a lot. You can call people from anywhere there is an internet connection and there is no more waiting to come into the range of a telephone tower.