What Is Voice Over IP?
Voice Over IP (VOIP) is the term used to describe sending and receiving phone calls over the Internet. This is relatively new technology has been made popular by cable companies, which bundle VOIP with products such as cable or high-speed Internet, and companies like Vonage, which sells the service as an alternative to traditional home phone services.
Uses for VOIP Phones
VOIP phones are typically used in businesses. Home phones typically use existing wiring, which connects to a VOIP modem. This device converts the voice information to data packets, a format which can travel the Internet from the sender to the receiver. Special VOIP phones are typically used in businesses, where call volume is too great to have only one device converting call information.
How a VOIP Phone Works
A VOIP phone is different than the average phone. For one, it requires electricity in order to power a processor and hard drive. Power is provided from an Ethernet cable which carries it from a dedicated router. Also, the phone requires on-board computer components in order to compress the voice files to data packets and manage the transmission and receipt of call data. The hard drive manages the phone's software, which controls the phone's features: hold, speed dial, special rings and caller identification.
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