Those who say there is more than one way to skin a cat may well be right - and even if they are not I wouldn't want to argue with someone of such a mindset. But they sure as hell don't know about internet phones, and that's where I come in.
Firstly, Voip phones. Voip, which stands for Voice Over Internet Protocol, are digital phones which have the ability to transmit voice and audio data through the IP layer. Although their function is similar to analogue phones, the technology is a long way off.
Voip phones can be a range of things. They can utilise an IP connection to simply be a dedicated service such as an analogue phone handset, they can be a softphone, or they can be an analogue phone connected to the internet via an Analogue Telephone Adapter. (ATA)
Internet Phones are Voip phones that send audio and voice data over the internet via a standard broadband internet connection. Generally an internet phone uses the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP). A Voip phone based on SIP is known as a SIP phone.
Are you still with me? Good, were nearly there. 'But what are softphones?' I hear you ask. Well, a Softphone is actually software that operates on a standard computer without the need for a dedicated device. Softphones require just a headset or a USB device in order to simulate the experience of a 'normal' phone.
But what of Voip phones? Do you require specialist items or equipment to use them? In a word, yes - although only three things. An internet connection, (preferably broadband) an internet service provider and either an ATA adapter to convert your analogue phone, a new internet phone, or a Softphone.
So all things considered, as scary as the world of Voip phones may look from a distance, it all boils down to pretty basic stuff which, once you can get your head around, opens up a whole world of possibilities and opportunities aside from just saving a lot of money and never having to worry about a bad line again.
And there it is. The world of Voip phones laid bare. A world still in its infancy; looking up at us - the learned consumers - with a glint in its eye, as though it knows something we don't. And given the potential of Voip technology to really take over in a big way, I think it's not a case of if, but most definitely of when.
Firstly, Voip phones. Voip, which stands for Voice Over Internet Protocol, are digital phones which have the ability to transmit voice and audio data through the IP layer. Although their function is similar to analogue phones, the technology is a long way off.
Voip phones can be a range of things. They can utilise an IP connection to simply be a dedicated service such as an analogue phone handset, they can be a softphone, or they can be an analogue phone connected to the internet via an Analogue Telephone Adapter. (ATA)
Internet Phones are Voip phones that send audio and voice data over the internet via a standard broadband internet connection. Generally an internet phone uses the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP). A Voip phone based on SIP is known as a SIP phone.
Are you still with me? Good, were nearly there. 'But what are softphones?' I hear you ask. Well, a Softphone is actually software that operates on a standard computer without the need for a dedicated device. Softphones require just a headset or a USB device in order to simulate the experience of a 'normal' phone.
But what of Voip phones? Do you require specialist items or equipment to use them? In a word, yes - although only three things. An internet connection, (preferably broadband) an internet service provider and either an ATA adapter to convert your analogue phone, a new internet phone, or a Softphone.
So all things considered, as scary as the world of Voip phones may look from a distance, it all boils down to pretty basic stuff which, once you can get your head around, opens up a whole world of possibilities and opportunities aside from just saving a lot of money and never having to worry about a bad line again.
And there it is. The world of Voip phones laid bare. A world still in its infancy; looking up at us - the learned consumers - with a glint in its eye, as though it knows something we don't. And given the potential of Voip technology to really take over in a big way, I think it's not a case of if, but most definitely of when.
About the Author:
Saul Saresi researches and writes regular articles regarding the world of Voip hardware and tehcnology virtual pbx more examples of his work can be found on his website internet telephony
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