VoIP, Communication of the Future

People are becoming more mobile and long distance communication through conventional phone lines can be expensive. VoIP calls are a very popular way for people to stay in touch because they are far cheaper for people who make long distance calls frequently. Most long distance phone calls end up costing you a great deal of money, which may reduce the number of long distance phone calls you make. VoIP on the other hand does not restrict long distance calls due to cost.

Why is it so inexpensive?
VoIP providers charge less than traditional telecommunication companies, because all data is transferred through a common and non-proprietary network, the Internet. They benefit by reducing communication and infrastructure costs by routing phone calls over existing data networks and avoiding redundant network systems.

What is VoIP?
Voice Over Internet Protocol is a technology that allows any computer or telephone connected to the Internet with a broadband connection can call another computer or phone. This service can be used to make calls to a variety of devices. Local or long-distance land line numbers, mobile phones and PCs all support VoIP communication. The VoIP is based on a packet switching technique, wherein calls are transmitted over the a network connection. This technology simply instructs the computer to compress the audio signal into small packets that can be sent over the Internet. It is the same idea behind email and viewing a website with the exception that instead of text and images it consists of audio.

Additional Benefits
Depending on the service provider, VoIP can also provide additional features that allow for increased control and more convenient access. These include the ability for callers to locate you and the ability to monitor all inbound and outbound calls. Voicemail management is powerful. Messages can be stored and maintained with ease. Many service providers also allow for video conferencing via VoIP. In addition to the audio, streaming video from a web cam can be sent in realtime. Due to the integrity of the technology, the clarity of the audio and the video is superior to traditional land line communications.

Useful for Commerce
Business organizations have started to use business phone systems utilizing VoIP instead of the traditional landlines for business communications. Affordable long distance and international calling is another key advantage of VoIP phone service and businesses are picking up on this fact. With the option of video conferencing, businesses now can cut down on the cost of travel by holding meetings through VoIP. It is not uncommon for potential employers to host a video call with job applicants. Similarly, companies from around the world can do business without having to travel extensively. This is especially useful for small businesses.

What companies provide this Service?
With increased use of VoIP the number companies providing the service is growing. Vonage, Broad Voice, Sunrocket. and Skype are some of the more established companies that offer a variety of VoIP plans are available to residents and businesses alike. International and domestic communication are all provided at different rates. Some provide VoIP for free while others charge for more options and features.

Will You Make the Switch?
Many consumers won’t adopt a VoIP service until they can drop their current phone company land line completely and with confidence. This will be easier for the “average” person to do as this technology is becoming more popular and the benefits better understood by the public. As for the large phone companies, they are losing business because of the emergence of VoIP as a superior communication medium. They want their customers to keep paying for land lines and encourage them to stay put. It is in their interest to keep their customers from switching to VoIP plans. Currently, a popular use of VoIP is with mobile calling; people want the cheapest way to make calls.

VoIP is the Future
The movement today is making the emergence of the VoIP technology the dominant technology being used for communication. However, not everyone has the a phone or computer that is compatible with VoIP. Despite this, standard telephone companies have been losing customers who either switch to cell phone plans, or who use alternative method such as VoIP to make calls. VoIP is steadily becoming the preferred method of communication due to its lower costs and reliability and will do so into the foreseeable future.