One of the interesting components about VoIP is that there’s not just one way to make a VoIP call. There are actually three ways to make a VoIP call:

1. VoIP via ATA:  VoIP ATA is the most commonly used VoIP method right now. Using the ATA (analog telephone adapter), connect a standard phone to a computer or Internet connection. ATA is an analog to digital converter, and it takes the analog signal to the phone and converts it into digital data and sends to the Internet so you can make VoIP calls.

2. VoIP via IP Phones:  VoIP phone like a standard telephone.  But a VoIP phone uses an RJ-45 Ethernet jack instead of the standard telephone RJ-11. Wi-Fi IP phones may be available in the near future, which will allow you to make VoIP calls from any Wi-Fi hotspot. This will allow you to take your VoIP phone with you when you travel, and stop in at any hotel or other location where you can use your Wi-Fi laptop and you can use VoIP technology to “phone home” from anyplace in the world.

3. VoIP via Computer-to-Computer: There is no charge for long distance calls and there are several software companies that offer free or low cost at this time for you to use VoIP technology. You just need the software, microphone, speakers, sound card and a cable broadband or DSL Internet connection, and you can start using the VoIP service immediately. Except for the normal monthly ISP charges, no charges for each VoIP call from computer to computer.

VoIP makes sense for the ROI. As per economic point of view, it may take a while, but eventually all existing circuit-switched networks, which are currently in use is replaced by VoIP technology to packet network. More and more businesses are already installing VoIP systems, and as VoIP technology makes its way into our everyday language, our lives, and our homes, it will continue to grow in popularity.

Resource:

Hosted Voip

I switched my business to internet phones early in 2005.  Despite a few hiccups, I’m not going back to landlines.  Internet phone service has too many advantages, which I’ll describe for you.  I also have some tips for avoiding possible rough patches.

VOIP Internet Phone Small Business and SOHO Advantages

VOIP Advantage No. 1: Look bigger.

If your small business has to seem large, a virtual PBX with a dial-by-name directory might help.  These systems cost thousands to install. But many VOIP companies let you rent this service for less than a hundred dollars a month.

Give each member of your team their own outside line.  With most VOIP companies, each line costs around $10.

Get one or more 1-800 numbers at around $10/month.

VOIP Advantage No 2.  Freedom of movement.

Freedom to travel.  When I went to Sacramento to visit a friend, I ended up extending my stay to a whole month.  I couldn’t have done that without regular phone access.  With VOIP, my Massachusetts number follows me wherever I go.  

Tropical adventures.  I regularly work with a virtual assistant company that takes phone calls on their Quebec phone number everyday.  That wouldn’t be so strange except they’re in the Philippines.  They’re using the same small business VOIP phone service sold right here in North America.  True, VOIP companies don’t generally guarantee their services will work outside the country of purchase.  But the internet is the internet, whether in Fargo or the South Pacific.  With the growth of broadband to virtually every non-pariah nation on earth, your second office really could be in a tropical paradise–or year-round ski resort.  Isn’t that the freedom you hoped being your own boss would bring?

Telecommuting.  Feel a cold coming?  Work from home!  With VOIP, even the receptionist may be able to telecommute!

Voicemail by email.  You don’t have to be by the phone to get voicemail.  This is the perfect service for busy people and email addicts.  Bonus: the message (in a file similar those used on MP3 players) can be stored indefinitely.

Internet Phone Advantage 3. Cost

Make lots of calls?  Many VOIP providers’ unlimited-calling plans cost just $20 to $80 a month.

Features such as call waiting, caller ID, hold, call forwarding, and multiple ring-to numbers are usually costly extras with landline service.  With most VOIP services, those are built-in features.

SOHO VOIP: Tips for Making it Work for Your Business

SOHO VOIP Tip 1.  Test internet phoning out before committing.

Yes, some VOIP connections are so scratchy and patchy they sound like cell phones.  That’s usually because of a problem in the internet connection.  Such problems may not be apparent in ordinary web browsing and file downloading.  Go with a service that has a 30-day money-back guarantee.  Try VOIP out where you live and work.  Make sure to try inbound and outbound calls.

Small Business Internet Phone Tip 2.  Phoning from a laptop.

With VOIP telephones, you don’t need a computer.  But you can use your computer as a phone.  A piece of software called a “softphone” uses your computer’s speakers and microphone.  If your laptop is running too many programs at once, calls will deteriorate.  Higher-end laptops shouldn’t have this problem.

SOHO Internet Phones Tip 3. Go with an established VOIP company.

You don’t want to lose your telephone service and possibly your number.  Yet only a few VOIP companies have roots before 2000.  Choose a service with deep enough roots to survive a VOIP industry shake-out.

Small Biz Internet Phoning Tip 4. Choose a provider carefully before putting the number on your business cards.

Switching VOIP companies is at least as much of a pain as switching landline phone companies.  In fact, there is typically no outward number-portability.  You can bring a number in, but good luck taking it with you.  Researching in early 2005, I found no nationwide VOIP services officially offering outward number portability.

Choose a VOIP provider with a 30-day money-back guarantee.  Test the service out thoroughly.  One thing is likely: you may want to switch VOIP providers, but you won’t want to go back to landline.

Let’s talk about VOIP and what it can mean for you. VOIP phone service is not without its own set of disadvantages, so be sure you consider all the angles before you run out and sign up for VOIP.

VOIP phone service uses your existing high-speed Internet connection and allows you to make and receive phone calls over the Internet. That is the entire bottom line summary of what VOIP is. But you need to dig under the surface a bit in order to determine if VOIP is right for you.

First of all, not all parts of the country can get a local phone number. If you live in a rural area, chances are that a LOCAL telephone number for your VOIP service is not going to be available. What that means is that if someone local wants to call you, even your next door neighbor, they may have to make a long distance call to reach you.

Can you move or “port” your existing phone number to your VOIP phone service? Supposedly the answer is yes but I do not recommend it. I have seen too many horror stories where the local phone company has screwed this up and then you end up losing the phone number you have had for the last 50 years.

Next you need a high-speed Internet connection. This is NOT provided with your VOIP service. The majority of homes in the US who would be good candidates for VOIP phone service already have a high-speed Internet connection, so it is going to use something you already have anyway. But be aware of two caveats here:

1. A high-speed Internet connection does NOT include satellite. If you have a satellite high-speed Internet connection, do not consider VOIP because you will not be happy. Sure they will SELL it to you but with a satellite high-speed connection, you will not be happy and you will sound like you are talking from the bottom of a bathtub in best case.

2. How reliable is your high-speed Internet connection? If it is not reliable, if it is iffy, if it has frequent outages or if you are getting a very slow speed, perhaps due to the distance limitations of DSL where you are at the very end of the service area, VOIP is not going to work well for you. Remember, if your Internet connection goes out, so does your VOIP service.

Now if you have not been scared away yet, then VOIP phone service might be a good idea for you. VOIP conversation quality is typically as good as or better than your traditional phone conversation. But the big draw for VOIP is the economic considerations. With your phone company, a phone line costs about $25 a month and for that you get a dial tone and perhaps unlimited local calling. That is it and everything else is extra. But with VOIP phone service, you get unlimited calling throughout the entire continental US (some VOIP providers also include Canada), plus caller ID, plus voice mail, plus call waiting, and the VOIP service costs about the same amount of money, and with some VOIP providers, even under $20 per month. Even if they are the same, the fact that long distance is already included in your VOIP service is a huge benefit.

VOIP phone service may or may not be right for you, but once you have considered all the factors, it can save you a ton of money each month.

Salient Features Of VOIP

The VOIP technology possesses many salient features which have attracted a large section of people towards itself.

1 – With the introduction of VOIP technology, the making of calls has become easy and cheap. You can easily make local, long distance, and international calls by using a broadband net connection which is a high-speed net connection.

2 – Its one of the significant advantages is the capability of directing the incoming calls to the VOIP service and one can easily get the details of incoming calls from any computer possessing internet by using VOIP system.

3 – It is a network that follows you wherever you go therefore you will never miss any of your important calls even if you are out of town.

4 – It has helped a lot in cost reduction because of the cheap call rates, the monthly telephone bills have cut down. Therefore, setting up of VOIP is very much beneficial economically.

5 – There are many value added services offered by the various VOIP service providers. For example, there is voice mail facility, 3-way conference, speed dialing, call forwarding, simultaneous ring, call waiting, caller ID, call return, caller ID block, anonymous call rejection, an interesting feature of do not disturb, and last number dial. All these services are mostly free of cost in their basic service plan.

6 – There is a facility of managing your VOIP account online from any corner of the world if there is an availability of a broadband internet connection.

Drawbacks Of VOIP Technology

The dark side of using VOIP technology has made the customer to reach the state of dilemma whether to go for VOIP technology or not. The major disadvantage of VOIP is that a problem can be cropped up by using VOIP technology and text messaging because it has been found that the use of this technology can lead to many security flaws.

Experts are working on the problem of security flaws, but have not come to any results yet. Therefore, one cannot rely completely on the use of VOIP technology. In terms of security, VOIP is not also completely supportive for their encryptions. Because of this weak point, it has become easy for the cyber attackers to impede the communication system.

How To Call Without VOIP

It is also very easy to make calls without possessing VOIP service by using an adaptor. This adaptor will be hooked up to a regular phone and to your VOIP in order to utilize the residential VOIP phone which can be a VOIP phone, landline, or cell phone. This adapter has proved to be very much useful for those who do not want to make investment in VOIP service.

Residential VOIP

Residential VOIP is a type of software which permits the downloading of technology on your computer to chat with anyone across the globe. In this system of communication, computer will be solving the purpose of the telephone. There is one specification in using residential VOIP service and that is the person whom you want to contact should also need to possess the software with same technology on his computer.

Therefore, after considering the both positive and negative aspects of the VOIP technology, you should come to an apt and appropriate decision whether to opt for it or not.

VoIP resellers are an important link in the VoIP reseller services value chain. The VoIP resellers ensure that the VoIP services reach end-users in more instances than one. They offer call termination services to users in different parts of the world. The VoIP reseller services make the most of the existing VoIP reseller business opportunities that are replete in this very “niche” market segment.

A few words on the profile of a VoIP reseller. A business having an established customer base in a particular geographical area could become a VoIP reseller. A technical knowledge about the VoIP domain is not required. Neither does a potential reseller need to make a large investment in terms of money or time. Resellers could make the most of VoIP reseller programs, wherein complete infrastructure to terminate calls are provided for. The initial capital requirements are done away with as all the equipment and infrastructure are delivered by the service providers.

In VoIP reseller services, telephony lines could be integrated with VoIP call termination services at industry leading costs. The savings so accrued could be passed over to end users through guaranteeing them a reduced tariff structure. Because of the reseller VoIP services, VoIP solutions are increasingly becoming extremely popular and user-friendly the world over.

Potential customers for VoIP resellers could be small and middle level businesses that are committed to increasing their organizational productivity. As a matter of fact, there is no dearth of business opportunities in VoIP reseller services. Businesses from different domains are joining in the band wagon and the competition is expected to become more intense in the near future.

For one thing, VoIP applications have now become sleeker and prettier than ever. When it used to be applauded for practicality, its applications such as Skype have gotten much criticism due to its lack of esthetic appeal or style. The VoIP mediums being released these days are now fashion show material, while at the same time, retaining its highly praised features. Like many other Internet features, the VoIP has been slowly making its own mark and setting the trademark of convenience and a more personalized way to communicate and do business over the Internet.

The VoIP’s increasing fame and usage in the Internet makes the competition stiffer and stiffer at the moment. In a way, this is good for consumers because companies are now accelerating innovations to their VoIP products, making more features available and more options at the consumers’ disposal. The bigwigs of VoIP are now working hard to maintain their top status since more and more up and coming VoIP companies are emerging in the market and making the competition fiercer than in the past when VoIP was just launched.

Vonage, one of the top VoIP providers, are now being confronted with their equally competent competitors. Unlimited calling at a fixed price seems to be the trend of VoIP providers, and they usually battle in the arena of affordability and features. Much of the companies work at generating features and maintaining an affordable price for their customers. Loyalty is also encouraged by means of making more bargain prices at long-term subscriptions.

Features of VoIP now include a tie up with mobile carriers, so that even when you are not at home you will be able to make use of their service. Also, they have this sorting feature between business and personal calls which will help you align your calling priorities accordingly. Aside from this call rollover, you can also avail yourself of an emergency 911 service.

Companies such as Nokia and Ericsson are also known to merge with VoIP providers in making the VoIP experience a more mobile one. The VoIP technologies these days are tailored to suit wireless settings, which promotes more remote business transactions at the ease of a well-designed mobile phone.

More and more business companies are harnessing the technology of VoIP in order to be able to save money and time in doing business transactions on a large scale. While it used to be that people need to go out of the office and meet up somewhere to be able to discuss properly certain business agreements, it is not all possible because superior audio quality can be expected from VoIP.

The VoIP is being designed to augment the convenience factor for Internet users. There seems to be hardly any need to commute long distances to make transactions. And beyond business applications, VoIP can now also be used for video games. Much of the hype it has been generating on hardcore gamers worldwide is because of the fact that it makes a good game supreme with its voice feature inclusion.

Also, the VoIP is getting more trusted by major institutions worldwide. From being a medium of personal conversations, the VoIP applications are now being expanded with regard to its usage. The Pentagon of the United States have been allegedly making agreements with General Dynamics System to make use of VoIP in their operations in the Department of Defense. Clearly, this is taking VOIP at another level. There will possibly be more discovered usages for VoIP in the near future, looking at the real progress with which it is going now.

There have also been merges of features between VoIP providers and other technological moguls. This makes more possibilities available for VoIP users in the future. Increasing support and merges with other companies continue to build the credibility of VoIP as an alternative means of communication. Much of the trends to expect this year border on expansion attempts of VoIP companies into making their services more mobile. Small wonder if in the near future it starts to replace all other existing communication devices with such practicality and versatility.

 

VoIP or Voice-over-Internet is a technology that allows you to make voice phone calls over the Internet.  Itâ??s through the use of a broadband Internet connection that allows you to do this. Some companies and their equipment only offer you the service of calling others with the same VoIP while other companies allow you to call anyone, anywhere with a phone number, it doesnâ??t matter what service provider they have.   

 

Your voice is converted into a digital signal and is carried over the Internet with VoIP technology. If you are calling someone who has a regular telephone, then the signal is converted to a telephone signal before it reaches its target. You may use a special adaptor connected to a phone using VoIP to make your phone call, a regular phone or the computer. Furthermore, there are whatâ??s known as â??hot spotsâ?? where you can use wireless Internet connections with VoIP to connect wirelessly to make phone calls while you are at the airport, business meetings or a café downtown. You might have to have a special connector on your wireless phone to be able to make these calls, check with your provider.

 

In order for the VoIP to work you will need a broadband â?? high speed Internet connection. This can be through a regular cable modem, local Internet provider or a high speed DSL carrier. You will also need a computer, an adaptor or a specialized phone in order to hook up to VoIP. Some VoIP services only work over the computer and not with a telephone, so if you are going to use your computer to make the phone calls, an inexpensive microphone and special software â?? which you can obtain from the provider â?? will do. Other providers of VoIP services will supply you with a VoIP adaptor in which you plug into the computer and also into a regular phone so that you can dial just like always.

 

Check with your provider before purchasing service with them. Some providers only allow you to call other people with the same VoIP or similar services. You will not be able to call everyone you know if they are using a regular telephone company. Many other companies have it set up where you can call anyone, anywhere, even if they do not have a VoIP set up. You will h

VoIP â?? WHAT IS IT AND HOW IT WORKS

 

VoIP or Voice-over-Internet is a technology that allows you to make voice phone calls over the Internet.  Itâ??s through the use of a broadband Internet connection that allows you to do this. Some companies and their equipment only offer you the service of calling others with the same VoIP while other companies allow you to call anyone, anywhere with a phone number, it doesnâ??t matter what service provider they have.   

 

Your voice is converted into a digital signal and is carried over the Internet with VoIP technology. If you are calling someone who has a regular telephone, then the signal is converted to a telephone signal before it reaches its target. You may use a special adaptor connected to a phone using VoIP to make your phone call, a regular phone or the computer. Furthermore, there are whatâ??s known as â??hot spotsâ?? where you can use wireless Internet connections with VoIP to connect wirelessly to make phone calls while you are at the airport, business meetings or a café downtown. You might have to have a special connector on your wireless phone to be able to make these calls, check with your provider.

 

In order for the VoIP to work you will need a broadband â?? high speed Internet connection. This can be through a regular cable modem, local Internet provider or a high speed DSL carrier. You will also need a computer, an adaptor or a specialized phone in order to hook up to VoIP. Some VoIP services only work over the computer and not with a telephone, so if you are going to use your computer to make the phone calls, an inexpensive microphone and special software â?? which you can obtain from the provider â?? will do. Other providers of VoIP services will supply you with a VoIP adaptor in which you plug into the computer and also into a regular phone so that you can dial just like always.

 

Check with your provider before purchasing service with them. Some providers only allow you to call other people with the same VoIP or similar services. You will not be able to call everyone you know if they are using a regular telephone company. Many other companies have it set up where you can call anyone, anywhere, even if they do not have a VoIP set up. You will have to check with the provider of your services about long distance charges, because sometimes there is going to be a charge for long distance usage.

 

One of the disadvantages of using a VoIP only telephone connection is that you may not be able to dial or connect with 9-1-1 emergency services operators. You will want to check with the VoIP provider before signing up to make sure they can offer you the 9-1-1 emergency services connection. If they do offer the 9-1-1 emergency services, the calls are handled a little differently and you may experience some minor wait time before your call is connected to the emergency services operator.  

 

ave to check with the provider of your services about long distance charges, because sometimes there is going to be a charge for long distance usage.

 

 

One of the disadvantages of using a VoIP only telephone connection is that you may not be able to dial or connect with 9-1-1 emergency services operators. You will want to check with the VoIP provider before signing up to make sure they can offer you the 9-1-1 emergency services connection. If they do offer the 9-1-1 emergency services, the calls are handled a little differently and you may experience some minor wait time before your call is connected to the emergency services operator.  

 

 

The telephone allows you to talk directly to anyone in any part of the world be it your friends, family or your clients. It is not only quick it is quite dependable too. This is such an important tool that now it has become one of the basic necessities in every home and business. Businesses depend quite a lot on this mode of communication and their life would get stranded without connectivity through a telephone.

 

The internet has also capture the world by storm through its ability to provide super fast and consistent means of communication. The amazing factor to the internet is all the applications that it offers for communication can be accomplished with very low cost. People can keep connected with other people through emails and chat.

 

The modern times has seen another advance in the field of communication by providing the latest communication tool, the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) or the Internet Voice. This is very similar to talking over the regular telephone but it is much more advanced. This has become so popular in the modern times that people are seriously contemplating eliminating the use of the regular telephone and switching over entirely to the VoIP system.

 

VoIP is far superior to the conventional telephone in that it provides many more features and advantages which the latter cannot even dream about. VoIP is through the internet and the voice signals are converted into digital format and then transmitted to the other person. The digital format of the voice signals ensures that there is no loss of voice quality and the communication is quicker and crystal clear as compared to a regular telephone conversation.

 

A great attraction that VoIP provides is the cost factor. Using this system, a person can make long distance calls to any other place in the world at a very low price or even for free. When compared to calls made long distance over the regular telephone, the communication is much faster, clearer and much cheaper when using the VoIP service. So, you will end up with lesser bills over the month in comparison to using the regular telephone line.

 

VoIP provides other advantages too. Let us suppose you require a PBX in your organization. If you purchase one to be used with your regular telephone line, it will be quite expensive. But, if you purchase one and use it over the VoIP system, it will be much cheaper and highly consistent. The functioning of the PBX system is similar in both the modalities but if the PBX is used with the VoIP system, it will be through the internet rather than through the telephone line.

VoIP is easily obtainable in todayâ??s times. You can find many service providers marketing the services on the internet who will provide business VoIP. But, if the purpose is to install VoIP system at home or if your intention is to make VoIP a career path, you will have to learn about setting up the VoIP system.

 

Installing a VoIP system is taught by Cisco Training Courses which has several such courses, one of them the Asterisk VoIP Hosted PBX.

 

If you opt for this course, you will be provided with all the training materials you will require to understand the process of setting up a VoIP system in any kind of setup. VoIP is beneficial for residential and business purposes. But, Asterisk VoIP Hosted PBX is more suitable for big organizations in meeting their communication needs.

 

Cisco provides all relevant information about the various VoIP PBX systems that are available and their utility. Using the Asterisk VoIP Hosted PBX, one can integrate all the phone lines in the organization into a single channel for communication that uses the internet to route the calls.

 

IP PBX is a powerful tool for communication within any office setup. Using this piece of hardware, the entire organizationâ??s communication needs can be met and easily regulated.

 

If you are intending to take up VoIP as a career path, you need to contemplate about Cisco VoIP Training Courses. The advantage this course provides is the hands-on experience using the Asterisk VoIP Hosted PBX. VoIP is definitely a good career path what with the amount of popularity it is gaining by the day and the pace at which it is eliminating the need for regular telephones.

10 Things You Need to Know About NY VOIP

Thinking about getting started with NY VOIP service for your home or office? Hereâ??s some important information to help you make the right choice.

1. VOIP is available anywhere in New York where high-speed Internet can be found. If you live in Manhattan or upstate, it doesnâ??t matter. All you need is a DSL, T1, Cable Modem or other fast connection and youâ??re equipped to start using VOIP.

2. NY VOIP service can take advantage of WI-FI. If you have WI-FI in your home, and a WI-FI ready cell phone, you can use both to move freely around the house while using your VOIP connection. As long as you stay in range of your wireless signal, youâ??re good to go!

3. VOIP offers big cost savings. Many customers reports saving 50% on their monthly bill thanks to the unlimited calling structure and low monthly service cost for VOIP.

4. VOIP offers cutting-edge features. Many VOIP providers offer some of the most cutting edge technology available in phone services today, including: voice mails that can be sent to email, call mapping and automated call recording.

5. VOIP is a great choice for people on the move. In Manhattan, people tend to move from apartment to apartment on a regular basis. VOIP makes it easy to move your phone service without all the installation hassles of a land-line phone. If youâ??ve got a high-speed Internet connection in your new place of residence, you can start calling as soon as you move in.

6. You can call Internationally with VOIP. More NY VOIP providers are adding international calling to their service options. Depending upon the plan you select, you can make International VOIP calls from your PC-based phone, or cell phone.

7. VOIPâ??s sound quality has improved significantly. In the early days of VOIP, one of the biggest knocks against the technology was the sound quality. Callers used to have to deal with dropped calls and long gaps or breaks in the conversation. Increased competition in the VOIP world has forced companies to upgrade their technology â?? which mean call quality has improved by leaps and bounds in recent years.

8. You can use VOIP for faxing. Your VOIP services gives you the power send and receive faxes over a dedicated phone line or using the eFax virtual fax service.

9. VOIP is a great choice for small businesses. Small companies need to watch their telecommunications costs closely. VOIP allows these businesses to enjoy all the benefits of a standard corporate phone system (putting callers on hold, voice mail, multiple lines, etc.) at a price that is at least half the cost offered by the major carriers.

10. VOIP is growing. Every year, VOIP users continue to grow in number. Thatâ??s because more and more people are discovering how easy the service is to use, its reliability and more importantly the low price of service.

For reliable, affordable VOIP service in the New York area, visit www.itpvoip.com. Unparalleled customer service and amazing price packages are what helped ITP VOIP be rated #1 in customer satisfaction in New York and the #1 VOIP provider in the United States by users. Every day, ITP VOIP strives to bring you the best service is the country. Contact www.itpvoip.com today for more information about how to get started.

VoIP phone communication requires a broadband (high speed Internet) connection which you can access through a cable modem or other high speed service. This service will be purchased from a third party provider. If you want to access VoIP phone services using your traditional hand sets, you will need your computer, a router or ATA adaptor. If you have a true VoIP phone, your connection will be directly through your broadband connection and you will dial just as you normally would. You can also access VoIP phone service directly through your computer. This will require software and a headset/microphone. USB VoIP phone sets are also available and very convenient.

There are different types of VoIP phones. An Ethernet hard VoIP phone will look to the naked eye much like a traditional handset. Its connection is through an Ethernet port and it will communicate directly through your VoIP connection. It does not require a computer and it operates essentially the same way that your old landline did. In many cases you will actually have a dial tone.

One of the more popular VoIP phone options is a cordless phone with base station. These convenient VoIP phones contain the Internet interface in the base station. Another less prevalent type of VoIP phone is a dialup hard phone with a built-in modem. We don’t see this type of phone too often in North America, but there are places in the world where this type of phone is necessary due to limited access to broadband connections. These phones connect to a VoIP server via a dial-up Internet connection.

Another VoIP phone option to consider is a WiFi phone. A WiFi VoIP phone generally has a built in transmitter which connects to a WiFi base station. From the base station the signal is transmitted to a remote VoIP server. WiFi VoIP phones do not require a computer.

As you research your options for VoIP phones you may see references to hard phones and soft phones. We have discussed several hard phone options above. These are actual handsets that work with VoIP technology. When we receive our telephone service through your computer using software and a headset/microphone it is referred to as a soft phone. A key advantage of soft phones is that they can be considerably cheaper than hard phones. In fact, there are many soft phone options that are available for very little cost or free.