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