VOIP

What is VOIP?
That's a Good Question. A lot of people have never heard of VOIP and of those who have, a great deal think that Vonage is there only choice. VOIP or Voice over Internet Protocol (for the technically minded) is simply a way to communicate over the well structured network of the Internet. VOIP Telephone Service Providers offer an alternative to the traditional PSTN or Public Switched Telephone Network. For the past one hundred years there have been a handful of companies that determine how you communicate. As with other forms of communication, the Internet is changing things. VOIP Telephone Service is fully functional, with most including: Operator Assistance, Directory Assistance, and Enhanced 911 service. VOIP also has features that traditional phone service doesn't provide, such as: simultaneous phone ringing, call hunting, and enhanced voicemail features. Even if a service is provided by your landline provider usually they charge extra for call forwarding, call return, and anonymous call rejection. You can even have your current phone number transferred to your VOIP provider.

What are the disadvantages of VOIP?
Voip service can vary depending on the quality of your internet connection. As of yet, there are only a handful of VOIP Providers that are daring enough to offer service over a dialup connection. DSL and Cable users usually have very little trouble with the quality of their service, but echo and delay can be problems. Most people with cell phones will be used to these problems, but for those who do not use cell phones they may find it annoying when such line interference occurs. I can tell you from personal experience that I have had very little trouble with call quality and in fact have had compliments on the clarity of my phone service.

To VOIP or not to VOIP- that is the question!
I used to love the TV commercials that Vonage, a well-known provider of VOIP or Voice over Internet Protocol telephone service. My favorite one was the one with the rocket that went berserk and flew all over, with people dashing around madly to get out of the way. I watched the wayward rocket totally mesmerized, and then started laughing so hard when the Vonage theme music started playing that I almost fell off the couch! I liked the one where the photographer fell into the fountain, too. I wish Vonage would bring those commercials back- the ones that they show now are so dull in comparison. Most of these ads try to sell their calling services based on how much cheaper they are in comparison to traditional telephoning plans. They also discuss quality and clearness of telephone calls. If you are smart, you have, in all probability, questioned how much of this is honest information and how much is hype.VOIP or Voice over Internet Protocol is plausibly one of the most radical advances in the telecom industry. It permits you to speak to another person on the other side of the world by employing a digital network connection precisely the same way that you get e-mail or surf internet sites. Due to the fact that your voice is changed into a digital signal, it can be transmitted around the block, on the other side of the country, or around the world for exactly the same price. For VOIP telephone calls, the idea of long distance does not exist. A single basic benefit is its low-price. If you have a fast Internet connection (DSL or cable), you can make computer-to-computer telephone calls anyplace on the globe FREE. Computer-to-phone telephone calls normally have a fee, but are usually still less expensive than typical telephone service. Perks like call forwarding, call waiting, voicemail, caller ID and 3way-calling, are packaged with VOIP telephone service at no additional fee. At the same time you are speaking on the telephone, you can transmit graphics and documents.VOIP telephoning plans are available in two types; bulk rate pricing and unlimited calling. Bulk rate pricing permits you to receive a monthly ration of minutes to telephone anyone you desire (similar to your cellular telephone). If you exceed your monthly limit you will receive overage fees. Unlimited calling is precisely the way it is meant- you have no cap on the number of telephone calls you can dial. Limitless telephoning packages start at $35 a month depending on the VOIP service supplier and the extra perks included with your plan. Unless you are making many telephone calls or the limitless telephoning plan is very cheap, bulk rate pricing is normally a more beneficial choice.Like cellular telephones, VOIP companies permit you to “port” or bring your existing phone number with you into their company. This is very handy since you will not need to advise your friends and family that you have changed your telephone number. Presently there is no law that VOIP suppliers must permit you to take your number with you if you are not satisfied or wish to switch companies. A few of them will, others will bill you an extra charge, and some will refuse to cooperate with your wish. Make sure, then, to take a look at this prior to putting your signature on any contracts.Another benefit is its flexibility. You can make and get telephone calls as long as you have access to a broadband connection by just logging in to your VOIP account. Because of this factor, using VOIP is as easy as sending e-mail. While you are vacationing, you just take a headset or Internet phone with you; then you can speak to family or colleagues virtually for free.Phone-to-phone VOIP is also portable. VOIP telephones are pocket-sized and light enough to take anyplace. Once you contract with a VOIP company, the Internet phone or adapter employed by that company is given a unique identification number. This 'phone number' stays valid, even if your VOIP Company is in New York and you're connected to the Internet in Tokyo. While connected to a broadband connection, anyplace on the planet, you can make and receive telephone calls just like you were sitting in your own living room.There are a few bugs that still make a negative impression with VOIP being more popular with the public. Lack of uninterrupted telephone service during power failures and problems with 911 emergency calling make up the 2 largest stumbling blocks.Traditional telephone service keeps going due to the electric current running through the phone line at the time of a blackout. This is not possible with VOIP telephones. At the same time that the electricity fails, there goes VOIP service. Battery backups and electric generators that furnish power are the present-day answers to this dilemna.A huge headache involves emergency 911 telephone calls. VOIP services usually aren't useful in emergencies. Traditional telephone gear can trace the locations of telephone calls. Emergency calls are channeled to the closest call center where the operator can distinguish your location, in case you are unable to talk. With VOIP, at this time there is no way to figure out the location from which Internet calls are coming. There is an emerging standard called e911 however, which is trying to resolve this restriction.VOIP also has voice quality and reliability issues. Data sent through the Internet normally reaches its destination scrambled. E-mail and text files can be reassembled in the proper order when it arrives. Voice data also comes in scrambled, but it's more difficult due to the real-time nature of VOIP. Many data bundles may have to be unloaded when they don't make it in time, in order to make voice connections with the smallest time lag. This can create quick silences in the audio flow.Space and speed of the connection specify the quantity of data dropped. Many networks get more traffic and therefore are more likely to create audio dropouts. One way to supply superior caliber audio connections is to produce dedicated data routes.With the unbelievable amount of work committed to VOIP, these bad aspects will certainly be settled within in the next 2 years. It is forecast that by then VOIP will be better accepted by consumers far and wide. Please visit VOIP Made Easy http://www.computingninternet.com/2817

Review of Cisco IP Phones
The term "soft phone" is a relatively new one being tossed about these days by VoIP-users and refers to client-side software that turns a desktop PC into an IP-based phone. Generally they are easy to install and use and offer effective integration with popular applications, such as Microsoft Outlook and give users the flexibility in how and when they receive and answer their calls. Let's take a look at some of the most popular soft phones being offered by one of the IP phone systems leaders - CISCO. Cisco provides a complete range of communications devices designed to take full advantage of the power of an individual's converged voice and data network, while offering the convenience and user-friendliness usually expected from a business phone. Cisco Unified IP phones help improve productivity by meeting the needs of different user-organizations; from the main lobby to the busiest manager's desk, from the manufacturing floor to the executive suite, as well as users at home, on the road, or in the branch office.Cisco IP phones provide LCD displays, including dynamic soft keys for call features and functions, support for information services (including Extensible Markup Language capabilities), the ability to customize XML-based services to provide users with access to a variety of information such as stock quotes, employee directories, or any other Web-based content. The Cisco IP Phone 7940 addresses the communication needs of a transaction type worker. It provides two programmable line and feature keys, plus a high quality speakerphone. The Cisco IP Phone 7940 also has four dynamic soft keys that guide users through call features and functions. Built-in headset port and integrated Ethernet Switch are standard with the Cisco IP Phone 7940. Also includes audio controls for full duplex speakerphone, handset and headset. The IP Phone 7940 also features a large, pixel-based LCD display. The display provides features such as date and time, calling party name, calling party number, and digits dialed.The Cisco IP Phone 7960G is designed to meet the communication needs of professional workers in enclosed office environments-employees who experience a high amount of phone traffic in the course of a business day. This IP phone supports access to multiple telephone lines (or a combination of lines and direct access to telephony features) and includes high-quality, hands-free speakerphone capability and built-in headset connectivity. A large pixel-based display provides supplemental information, access to applications, and makes it easy to use telephone features.

The 4612 IP phone operates on your Internet Protocol (IP) voice network; this stylish phone incorporates a number of convenient features, such as a built-in headset jack, message waiting indicator, easily readable displays, hearing aid compatibility, NetMeeting compatibility, multiple programmable feature keys and display navigation keys. If you are confused by some abbreviations or shorts in this article, feel free to visit VoIP glossary.
VoIP service - IP telephony: VOIP Providers, VoIP services and Termination Equipment.
Find out all the gritty details at www.audivoip.com
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