VoIP ("Voice over Internet Protocol") phone systems are not a new invention. They commonly exist already, for example, when using the voice chat functionality in MSN, Google Talk, Yahoo Messenger, and even Skype. These systems don't talk (excuse the pun) nicely with each other since they are proprietary.
The truest form of VoIP is based on the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) largely because it does talk nicely with others. This means that instead of using a closed source client which both end users must use in order to connect, you have a wide choice of open source clients available.
Similar to the benefits of open source in general, VoIP connection and calls costs using SIP are going to be a lot more cost-effective than using closed source or proprietary protocols. Furthermore, the ways in which users can make and receive calls with either software phones or actual SIP compatible handsets is a lot more flexible.
VoIP uses special compression to send and receive audio over an IP network. The end user can make phone calls via the Internet using applications freely available on their portable and desktop devices. Calls made over the Internet using the SIP protocol are not only significantly cheaper than traditional phone lines they are also cheaper than proprietary VoIP systems to a lesser degree.
VoIP works by converting analogue voice calls into data packets which are then digitally transmitted over the IP network provider. From cost-effective international calls to 3-way and conference calls, these are some of the benefits to using VoIP phone systems.
Getting started with using VoIP can be done in a number of ways. From hardware IP phones that connect directly to your broadband or local area network to software-based phones. The most cost-effective way to get connected is to use a soft-phone which uses your computer's hardware, requiring that it be turned on in order to work. Conversely, an IP phone connects directly to the Internet bypassing your computer which may take longer to set up at more cost.
The administration of call costs usually works out scalable and manageable for VoIP phone systems in general. For example, a company wishes to monitor its staff and see at a glance whom is making high volume calls at specific times in the month. VoIP phone systems based on SIP usually offer monthly itemised billing with no long contracts.
The overall benefit of using VoIP versus a Public Switch Telephone Network (PSTN) is that you can have your own phone line installed wherever there is an Internet connection available. You also have the added benefit of moving your phone line to a new location whilst retaining the same phone number. Lastly, in the long term you are likely to save a huge amount of money on call costs.
The truest form of VoIP is based on the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) largely because it does talk nicely with others. This means that instead of using a closed source client which both end users must use in order to connect, you have a wide choice of open source clients available.
Similar to the benefits of open source in general, VoIP connection and calls costs using SIP are going to be a lot more cost-effective than using closed source or proprietary protocols. Furthermore, the ways in which users can make and receive calls with either software phones or actual SIP compatible handsets is a lot more flexible.
VoIP uses special compression to send and receive audio over an IP network. The end user can make phone calls via the Internet using applications freely available on their portable and desktop devices. Calls made over the Internet using the SIP protocol are not only significantly cheaper than traditional phone lines they are also cheaper than proprietary VoIP systems to a lesser degree.
VoIP works by converting analogue voice calls into data packets which are then digitally transmitted over the IP network provider. From cost-effective international calls to 3-way and conference calls, these are some of the benefits to using VoIP phone systems.
Getting started with using VoIP can be done in a number of ways. From hardware IP phones that connect directly to your broadband or local area network to software-based phones. The most cost-effective way to get connected is to use a soft-phone which uses your computer's hardware, requiring that it be turned on in order to work. Conversely, an IP phone connects directly to the Internet bypassing your computer which may take longer to set up at more cost.
The administration of call costs usually works out scalable and manageable for VoIP phone systems in general. For example, a company wishes to monitor its staff and see at a glance whom is making high volume calls at specific times in the month. VoIP phone systems based on SIP usually offer monthly itemised billing with no long contracts.
The overall benefit of using VoIP versus a Public Switch Telephone Network (PSTN) is that you can have your own phone line installed wherever there is an Internet connection available. You also have the added benefit of moving your phone line to a new location whilst retaining the same phone number. Lastly, in the long term you are likely to save a huge amount of money on call costs.
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