| Internet technology is constantly introducing new and | | | | In order to make use of VoIP technology for placing |
| better ways to communicate with others around the | | | | internet telephone calls, you will need to subscribe to a |
| world, and making telephone calls using VoIP | | | | service plan provided by one of the major VoIP |
| technology is one of those advancements. VoIP | | | | companies in business today. The service plans are |
| stands for Voice over Internet Protocol, and it allows a | | | | usually very inexpensive, often providing for unlimited |
| computer user who is connected to the internet | | | | long-distance telephone calling for as little as $25 per |
| through a high-speed terminal to make telephone calls | | | | month. You can even save more by choosing a calling |
| to another computer or telephone without using a | | | | plan that places a limit on the amount of minutes used |
| standard telephone company. | | | | each month, bringing your total cost down to as low as |
| Essentially, there are two kinds of VoIP applications to | | | | $15 a month. |
| consider, either hardware or software based. If you | | | | In addition to domestic long-distance phone calling, |
| choose the software solution, you'll have to have your | | | | many VoIP providers also allow you to make |
| computer turned on in order to both make and receive | | | | international telephone calls to persons outside of their |
| telephone calls, but the only equipment you'll need is a | | | | subscriber base for a per minute fee, sometimes as |
| microphone and speakers connected to your | | | | low as $.10 to $.15 per minute. Some providers even |
| computer. | | | | allow free long-distance telephone calling as long as it |
| If you choose the hardware solution instead, you'll be | | | | is carried out between individuals in their own |
| using a converter box called an ATA that will be | | | | subscriber base. |
| attached to your high-speed internet connection. Your | | | | If you choose to use a hardware VoIP solution, you |
| telephone can then be plugged into the ATA. The | | | | can expect to spend some time on the phone with |
| converter box takes the analog signal from your | | | | customer support in order to get your system up and |
| phone and converts it to a digital signal to be sent over | | | | running correctly, but most likely you'll be able to |
| the internet in data packets, which are then | | | | experience uninterrupted service from that point on. |
| reassembled on the other end of the telephone | | | | Also you can expect voice quality to be excellent in |
| connection. By using a hardware VoIP solution, you | | | | most cases, often rivaling that of land line telephones. |
| computer does not have to be on in order for you to | | | | When you consider all the advantages of using VoIP |
| make and receive telephone calls, although your | | | | technology to place telephone calls over the internet, |
| Internet connection will have to be active. Many VoIP | | | | it's no wonder that so many consumers are turning to |
| service providers are including the ATA at very low | | | | VoIP for their long-distance telephone calling needs. |
| cost or even for free in some cases. | | | | |