Well VOIP is an acronym for voice over ip, and, what it means is that you can send your voice out over the internet. An example of VOIP would be a program like SKYPE or Yahoo Voice chat. Basically with these programs you are talking with people computer to computer. In other words if you have SKYPE and your friend has SKYPE you could talk to each other via computer. And if you both have video cams you can talk face to face.
A VOIP phone service works on the same principal and technology. What you need is a some sort of high speed internet connection such as DSL or Cable internet. You will probably need a router because you are basically creating a home network with one of your computer stations being your telephone. The router is plugged into your cable or DSL modem and your computer and phone adapter plugs into the router. You can get a router fairly cheap just about anywhere. Wal-Mart would be a good start. Some VOIP companies may not require you to have a router.
You will also need the adapter mentioned before. It plugs in to the router. This serves as phone jack for your phone. This adapter will be provided by the VOIP provider. You can then plug in any phone you want to use. You will be given a phone number. Now instead of computer to computer calls you will be able to call any land line and they’ll be able to call you at your new VOIP number.
VOIP is usually much cheaper than the phone company. I used Packet8 when it first launched and the cost was around $22 and some change after taxes. My service included unlimited local and long distance calling inside the U.S., call waiting and voice mail. International call prices depended on the country I was calling but was never expensive.
The draw back with some VOIP companies was there was no 911 emergency service. I don’t know about others but Packet8 had resolved this problem as early as 2005. You only had to register the address where you were using the system.
Another draw back – if your lose your internet connection you have no phone.
VOIP is a great way to go if you want cheaper phone service. The quality of calls was always crystal clear.
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