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VoIP
VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) allows you to make and receive telephone calls using a computer network (like the internet). The voice signal from your telephone is converted into a digital signal by VoIP. The digital signal is then converted back into a voice signal so that it can be heard by any receiver using a regular phone number.
VoIP can be set up using either software on your PC or by a headset and microphone. It can also be implemented using adaptors which are used along with your normal home phone.
In general, a phone service via VoIP costs less than an equivalent service from traditional sources, but similar to alternative PSTN service providers. Some cost savings are due to using a single network to carry voice and data, especially where users have existing under-utilised network capacity which they can use for VoIP at no additional cost. A large benefit is that VoIP to VoIP phone calls are typically free and hence perfect for inter-site communication in a multi-site business.
VoIP can facilitate tasks that may be more difficult to achieve using traditional phone networks. Incoming phone calls can automatically be routed to your VoIP phone, irrespective of where you are connected to the internet. Take your VoIP phone with you on a trip and anywhere you connect it to the internet, you can receive your incoming calls.
VoIP phones can integrate with other services available over the internet, including video conversation, message or data file exchange in parallel with the conversation, audio conferencing, managing address books and passing information about whether others are available online to interested parties; hence showing a versatility previously unavailable within the business environment.