| Voice Over Internet Protocol is a relatively new | | | | Internet Protocol is used: |
| method of sending and receiving telephone calls. | | | | The most common way in which VOIP is used is with |
| Sometimes called IP telephony, internet telephony, | | | | an ATA, or Analog Telephone Adaptor. This adaptor |
| broadband telephony broadband phone, or voice over | | | | allows your existing phone to be used. The phone is |
| broadband, VOIP technology allows you to make | | | | connected to the adaptor, which is then routed through |
| voice calls using a broadband internet connection, | | | | your computer and connected to the internet. |
| rather than a regular (analog) traditional phone line. | | | | Another common way VOIP technology is being used |
| Basically, it is the routing of voice conversations over | | | | is through the use of IP phones. These phones are |
| the internet or through any other IP-based network. | | | | specially designed to be used with a VOIP connection. |
| The main benefit of using VOIP technology is that you | | | | In most ways, they are very similar to traditional house |
| can use your internet connection, which you are | | | | phones, except that rather than having a traditional |
| already paying for, to place long distance calls, | | | | phone line connector, the IP phones have an Ethernet |
| completely circumventing local phone companies and | | | | connector. These IP phones plug directly into your |
| their charges. Voice Over Internet Protocol does not | | | | internet router, bypassing the actual PC itself. The |
| carry the same taxes and other fees that local phone | | | | actual computer is then not required to be used with |
| companies do. | | | | the phone. The necessary technologies are |
| How does VOIP work? | | | | self-contained in the actual phone, and connected to |
| Traditional analog phone connections use analog | | | | the internet directly through the router. |
| technology. Simply put, the technology used in Voice | | | | The third most common method of using VOIP |
| Over Internet Protocol works by converting your voice | | | | technology is called computer to computer, or PC to |
| from this analog signal into a digital signal, which can | | | | PC, calling. This method is entirely free and is not |
| then be sent over the internet. If you are calling a | | | | subject to any taxes or fees found with local |
| regular phone, the digital signal is converted back into a | | | | telephone companies. The only things you need are an |
| traditional analog signal before it reaches the | | | | internet connection, any necessary VOIP software, a |
| destination. | | | | computer, and a microphone and speakers. |
| There are three main methods in which Voice Over | | | | |