Voice Over Internet Protocol, more commonly known as VOIP is a system whereby normal voice telephone calls are made over the internet. One can use a computer with internet access, with a microphone and speakers, a device that you connect to your computer, or a device like a VOIP ADSL phone. The ADSL phone is an amazing advanced device that doesn’t require a computer to connect to the internet, only an ADSL internet connection.
This same concept of transporting voice conversations has been done by international telecommunications companies for a long time, and only local phone calls use the conventional land-line networks. Longer distance calls are all routed over the internet using a VOIP connection and then back to the network of the person that you are calling.
VOIP phone conversations are essentially free if they go between two devices connected to the internet. Additional costs are only incurred when the telephone call is made from a VOIP connection to a conventional telephone network. The network rates of networks outside of the system still need to be paid.
Many service providers supply a service to connect you from your internet VOIP connection to a conventional or mobile network at a subscription fee plus the cost of the call. Even with these fees the cost savings on national and international voice calls are pretty substantial.
A fast and reliable internet connection like ADSL is a necessity for good quality voice over IP calls. The voice audio is carried in digital form over the internet and if you have a slow connection, the conversation can become severely delayed or become inaudible.
VOIP ADSL phones are effectively intelligent internet devices and come in several different shapes and sizes. Some look like a conventional telephone, others are similar to a cordless phone and some even look like a cellphone, but they all require only an ADSL connection.
The biggest cost saving to be found is in international calls, especially from one internet device to another. The expenses are reduced to a fraction of conventional calls due to there being no additional costs other than an ADSL connection. You can contact people in nearly every country in the world, the exception being those with with less developed infrastructures and some who don’t allow VOIP.
VOIP has long been a bone of contention among conventional telecommunication companies and the rival VOIP companies. The battle over VOIP has been won by the VOIP technology companies and the VOIP ADSL phone is here to stay.