Switching Over To VOIP

 VoIP  No Responses »
Feb 232008
 

U.S. PSTN telephone switch hierarchy.
Image via Wikipedia

VoIP stands out because of its convenience, quality, but also because of its low cost. Not only is the monthly fee lower than PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) but VoIP also offers features without charging for them.

Despite the fact that VoIP is a great service, there are still a few loose bolts. When switching to VoIP from a traditional phone service it may not be possible t o keep your old phone number. The service offers local phone numbers in some areas. Check with VoIP and your current phone company if this service is available in your area.

Certain VoIP services will redirect your 911 calls to emergency call centers close by, if you have registered your address with them in case you need 911. But, once connected to the emergency center the operator will not be able to determine your location if you can’t speak. Especially for elderly people it is advised to either stick to the traditional phone line or to always have a cell phone nearby.

In case of a blackout VoIP comes with a battery backup. Only during long blackouts the batteries will go empty. For these types of situations it is also advised to keep a traditional line or a cell phone.

If you consider these to be minor flaws and you wish to switch over to VoIP, the first thing you need to do is choose a VoIP service provider.

The difference between the many providers out there is their rate for long-distance and overseas calls. So pick a provider that suits your type of calling most. You can also choose to have multiple phone numbers. If you were to have local numbers in different cities, people who call you in those cities will only pay the local tariff. Pick a VoIP service that will keep your costs at a minimum, and ask for a local number.

To use VoIP you need a broadband cable or DSL modem, a router and perhaps an IP phone. You can also get a modem and router in one. To set VoIP up you need to follow two easy steps: Plug the router into the modem and the IP phone into the router. No fuss, no muss. 

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What Do I Need To Use VOIP?

 VoIP  2 Responses »
Feb 152008
 
Skype Limited
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If you’re not sure if VoIP is something for you, then try it out without any charge. If you have a headset and a sound card you can download VoIP software and call anyone anywhere. Skype, Free World Dialup and Net2Phone are some of the popular names you might want to consider. These ‘soft phones’ are user-friendly and they charge you nothing as long as you don’t call a cell phone or landline.

When choosing for VoIP you have a number of options when it comes down to the type of phone you wish to use. You can use a headset, Internet phone or an ATA. Internet phones resemble real phones. Some have number pads, ring like real phones and they are used in the same way. In order to use these ‘soft phones’ you also need VoIP software. The phones are to be plugged in the USB port or sound card.

The ATA gives you the opportunity to connect your traditional phone to your modem. Most VoIP providers will give you the ATA free of charge when you sign up. It connects to a broadband DSL or cable modem. When using an ATA you don’t need a computer to make phone calls. The ATA isn’t only handy because it’s easy to use – you simply pick up your phone and dial – but you can take it with you anywhere, connect it to a modem and make phone calls wherever you are. Calls will be redirected to your ATA with no extra charge.

Hardware-based IP phone
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You may also choose an IP phone. IP phones are plugged into the modem (Internet phones are plugged into USB ports or sound cards). The IP phone has integrated hardware and software. All your numbers can be stored in the phone and it has features like caller ID.

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How Does VoIP Work?

 VoIP  No Responses »
Jan 202008
 

To use VoIP your voice needs to be converted into digital data. Your voice is sampled – the sound is divided into discrete steps that are assigned a number value. This data is compressed and sent over the Internet, in packets of 1500 bytes. These packets contain information about their origin and destination. They also have a timestamp, which helps them to be reconstructed in the right order. The packets are converted from digital data to sound once they arrive at their destination.

Just like any other data that is sent over the Internet, VoIP data also contains a payload and information that determines where and how the payload will be delivered. In VoIP this payload is voice data. The packet also contains other information that helps fast delivery. This allows real time conversations over the Internet.

Encapsulation of application data descending t...
Image via Wikipedia

The Internet Protocol Suite consists of two physical layers – the data link layer and the physical layer. In VoIP the Ethernet is used as the data link layer. This allows reliable transmission of data by controlling and synchronizing the flow. The purpose of the physical layer is to act as a channel through which information is passed to the data link layer. Twisted pair cables are used as physical layers in VoIP systems. All network cards, routers, modems, Analog Telephone Adaptors (ATAs) and IP phones are linked to each other through these cables.

Sound signals from the user end are converted to voice packets. These packets are generated via sound cards. After the voice has been converted to digital equivalent, the audio stream is compressed by the VoIP software to enable quick and efficient transmission. The compressed data packets contain all the data required to reach the other end. Thus the quantized data intelligently finds its way through your modem and a maze of twisted cables to the other end of the communication channel.

The data packets may have to navigate through variable paths to reach the intended destination. This is due to the transient nature of web traffic. Once the data packets arrive at the listening end they are arranged in the order in which they were sent and the process of demodulation begins. Here they are converted to some analog equivalent which can be perceived by the listener. The delay or ping time between data transmission and reception must be less than half a second irrespective of their locations.

Broadband connection is necessary to communicate over VoIP without noticeable delays. This does not pose any difficulty because increasing number of web surfers are homing in on hi speed connections these days.

The data packets may have to navigate through variable paths to reach the intended destination. This is due to the transient nature of web traffic. Once the data packets arrive at the listening end they are arranged in the order in which they were sent and the process of demodulation begins. Here they are converted to some analog equivalent which can be perceived by the listener. The delay or ping time between data transmission and reception must be less than half a second irrespective of their locations.

Broadband connection is necessary to communicate over VoIP without noticeable delays. This does not pose any difficulty because increasing number of web surfers are homing in on hi speed connections these days. 

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