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 Category :: Communications |
Author :: Sandra Clair  |
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| Article Title :: Make Free Internet Phone Calls With VoIP And Save A Ton Of Money
On Phone Bills. |
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Have you heard all the buzz about VoIP?
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is an emerging technology
which allows you to make telephone calls over the Internet -
many times for free. It is already starting to replace existing
telephone networks, with many people and businesses choosing to
cancel their traditional phone line and use VoIP instead. Why?
Price. Consumer are finding that they can save a lot of money
using VoIP technologies.
Originally developed to provide voice communication between
computer users in different locations, in recent years, VoIP has
been further developed into a telephone network in its own
right. People using VoIP can call any telephone anywhere in the
world and can receive calls on telephone sets connected to the
Internet.
Currently, there are quite a few VoIP services available for
consumers to choose from. Some of these still rely on PC-to-PC
connections but many VoIP providers offer other services such as
PC-to-phone and phone-to-phone connection.
In order to use VoIP, both parties need a broadband connection.
This is a high-speed Internet connection usually provided by a
cable or DSL modem- broadband modems are usually used to connect
computers to the Internet.
The simplest form of VoIP is a computer-to-computer voice
connection. This is also the type of connection which allows
users to make free phone calls over the Internet.
All that is required to make your first free call over the
Internet is a computer, a headset consisting of earphones and
microphone, and VoIP software. The VoIP software can be
downloaded from the service provider's site. The best thing is
that most software packages are free and allow you to connect to
any computer running the same software.
There is no charge for this type of connection and calls can be
made to anywhere in the world free of charge. If you choose you
could also use an Internet telephone that plugs into the sound
card or USB port on your computer. However, this is an
additional expense which is really not necessary.
Until recently, the major disadvantage with computer-to-computer
calls was that both parties had to have the same kind of
software installed in order to make a connection; but things are
changing now and emerging technology is beginning to allow users
to make calls to users utilizing different VoIP software. Almost
every software package, however, has the ability to connect with
landline or cellular phones.
How It Works
Although each VoIP software package is different, most VoIP
software function the same way. Usually, you can call another
person on the network by typing in their user name or number. If
that person is online they will see a popup box alerting them
that you want to talk. The other party can see who is calling
and can choose to either accept or reject the call.
Before the popup appears, however, there has already been some
communication between the two computers. The VoIP software has
information about the speed of your Internet connection and the
type of code that can be used to compress and decompress audio
data. When a call request is made, both computers negotiate
which code is going to be used to make allowances for the
connection speed.
Other types of VoIP Services are available which allow you to
make PC-to-Phone connections, and also calls that do not involve
the use of your computer at all. Although these premium services
vary in price, in most cases by using VoIP technology you will
be saving a significant amount of money on your phone bills each
month.
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