Tuesday, September 14th, 2010 at
8:58 am
VoIP is Voice over Internet Protocol. Standard telephone lines are referred to as PSTN or the Public Switched Telephone Network. PSTN works on circuit switching. A excellent example of circuit switching is the ancient switchboard operator who would connect callers to receivers by the use of electrical circuits. VoIP is Packet Switching. Packet Switching consists of data packets, or packets of information being carried across the Internet, from your computer to either another computer or PSTN telephone.
VoIP operates in different forms. For instance, you can use VoIP when you use an Instant Messaging program with voice on your computer. These are very well loved and now Yahoo, AOL, MSN, ICQ, and even Google have VoIP Instant Messaging programs. The benefits of these programs are that they are free to download off of the Internet, and by using a microphone and your speakers; you can talk over the Internet with any of your buddies. As long as your friends and family members download the same program, you will be able to talk with them as long as you like, and absolutely free. You can talk to anyone, anywhere in the world with VoIP Instant Messengers.
Another method of VoIP technology is to use a VoIP service provider for your basic telephony needs. A very familiar company is Vonage. For a monthly fee, you will receive VoIP services, the same as you pay for your regular telephone services. You can choose to use your VoIP service over the Internet, or you can choose to connect your VoIP to your standard telephone. By connecting a VoIP phone adapter to your modem and standard phone, you will be able to use your VoIP service and your telephone as you would with any other telephone service provider.
Many people prefer to use a VoIP service provider because the cost of local and long distance calling with VoIP is very inexpensive. Many providers offer unlimited calling plans. There are other features that are often bundled with your service plot. Features such as Voicemail, Caller ID, Call Waiting, Call Transfer, and 3 Way Calling are often included for free in your selected VoIP plot. By choosing your VoIP service provide and installing a phone adapter, you will be on your way to making low cost VoIP calls in minutes.
You can also buy a specialized VoIP phone. These phones come in both cordless and corded styles. The cordless VoIP phones work the same as standard cordless phones.
Many of these phones also come with conferencing features and are suitable for small or home business needs.
Another form of VoIP telephones are the VoWiFi phones. These are wireless VoIP phones. This is the same technology as VoIP, only you are not limited to a plugged in connection. You can use your VoWiFi phone wherever there is a wireless High Speed Internet Connection. These phones are more expensive then mobile phones, and haven’t had all of the kinks worked out yet. But, they are still a cost effective choice for those who want to save a small money.
VoIP has proved to be a viable source of telecommunications. Many companies are now offering VoIP services and those who aren’t have plans to do so. Companies such as Verizon and Sprint offer VoIP services. Other companies are working on making VoIP phones and VoWiFi phones.
There are Hybrid phones on the market, which allow for both VoWiFi and Cellular calling. These phones have many people excited. They can work in a network range as a cellular phone, and then, they can work as a VoWiFi phone, avoiding all roaming charges.
The FCC has issued some regulations regarding VoIP and the ability to call 911. Because VoIP uses the Internet and not a landline phone, when a call is made to 911 from a VoIP connection, the operator who receives the call receives none of the caller’s pertinent information. This includes address or location of the call. Some service providers do not supply 911 at all; others have what is known as Enhanced 911 services. To use these services you may need to activate your service, as well as register your information with 911. But, you will need to sign a statement when you apply for your VoIP services stating that you know your 911 capabilities may be limited.
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Sunday, September 5th, 2010 at
12:14 am
Skype is a proprietary peer-to-peer Internet telephony (VoIP) network. It has achieved rapid growth in usage and software development since its launching, both of its free and its paid services. The Skype network can scale very easily to large sizes just over hundred million users without an intricate and exorbitant centralized infrastructure. It is free in the beta phase. Skype is a prominent VoIP category product worldwide, with near sixty million people are registered to use Skype’s free services. Moreover, more than three million people using Skype concurrently at any one time. Every Skype user must have the Skype software downloaded on his computer. This software is currently available free of charge but the software is proprietary.
The security of internet communication has become an issue therefore, people are more aware and want secure communication feature in the products they use. Skype is well designed to automatically encrypt calls, file transfers and chats before sending it through the internet. All Skype traffic is encrypted by default and the user cannot turn it off. There are some flaws in security especially in the area of the global Skype network that is, searches for contacts, and connection via supernodes, are trusted without asking for authentication. You can use the system without revealing your identity to other users of the system, but also you have no authenticity that the person you communicate with is the one they say they are in real life.
User can make free calls with the Skype PC-to-PC calls over the Internet to anyone else who also has Skype. All you need is a PC microphone and speakers or a basic USB headset, PC running Windows 2000 or XP required for video call, a web cam, if you want to make video calls. Broadband connection is best through cable service.
Skype has added innovative features that are quality-rich. There is a facility to search the Skype database, so that you are able to build a list of contacts. When you have people on your list, you can see if they’re online, offline, busy or not sitting at their computer right now. Importing contacts is the facility that allows you to find people among your contacts who are already on Skype. SkypeOut is a cheap way to use your computer to call landlines and mobile phones all over the world. SkypeIn is a number your friends can call from any phone. Skype Voicemail takes your calls when you are busy or offline; skype SMS gets you in touch with friends instantly when they are not online. But, free features are: Call anyone else using Skype, throughout the world. You can have a group-chat with up to hundred people as well as conference calling with up to four people simultaneously. But, there are some limitations with the use of skype system. It is really computer-dependent and caters to computer consumers, the calls made to landlines are of low quality and Skype does not offer much calling features.
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