The Future of VoIP

Voip Business Solutions Presents:


The Future of VoIP
by Gen Wright

VoIP technology has come a long way since it was introduced, but as technology continues to quickly evolve, it's bound to take VoIP even farther, making the technology of today seem laughable. No one knows for certain how fast things will continue to evolve, but a smart person will keep his eyes open to any benefits or opportunities the future of VoIP may bring.

With that in mind, here's a look at some of the technical, personal and economic ways VoIP will change in the years and decades ahead. All these things might not actually come to pass, but they give you a good idea of where things are headed.

Next Year

Wireless VoIP is already here in the 3G (third generation) wireless devices. Expect this space to continue to evolve quickly, with new smart handsets offering even more possibilities. As prices of these new handsets drop, as they always do when the new latest greatest thing comes out, more and more people will begin to take advantage of the 3G network. And the more people on the network, the more people are going to work on the back-end to come up with new, cool things.

Next Five Years

As more and more people move to VoIP, expect to see legislation (wherever on the planet you might live) start to adapt to keep up with the technology. While some laws already in place would generally affect communication that happens over VoIP, we're bound to see the issue of VoIP brought up in various ways in courts everywhere. When that begins to happen, laws will begin to include VoIP and similar technologies even more.

Next Ten Years

Over the next ten years, expect a lot of radical changes as more and more of the world's population begins to utilize the Internet and VoIP technologies. With even more people becoming involved, prices are bound to go down and features will go up as companies compete for business from a very tech savvy crowd of people.

Next 100 Years

Where will VoIP be in 100 years? That's hard to tell. With technology advancing as quickly as it does, there's no telling where it might take humanity in the 22nd century. There's one thing that's certain, though. Humans will still have a need and desire to communicate with others verbally in real time.

VoIP Future

Whether these things come true or not, VoIP is sure to be a very volatile field with a lot of growth in a lot of different areas. The smart person will keep their eye on the game and adapt along with technology to come out ahead in the end. VoIP is already responsible for a lot of change in the world, but the way it looks, this is only the beginning.


About the Author

For more information on VoIP service, please visit our website.






Voip Business Solutions

Asterisk VoIP Hosted PBX - A Cisco Training Course

Voip Business Solutions Presents:

Asterisk VoIP Hosted PBX - A Cisco Training Course
By John B Mayall

Rapid and trustful communication systems have become a norm in the modern world. For this reason, people are increasingly dependent on communication tools like the internet and the telephone which are the two major branches of the communication industry.

The telephone allows you to talk directly to anyone in any part of the world be it your friends, family or your clients. It is not only quick it is quite dependable too. This is such an important tool that now it has become one of the basic necessities in every home and business. Businesses depend quite a lot on this mode of communication and their life would get stranded without connectivity through a telephone.

The internet has also capture the world by storm through its ability to provide super fast and consistent means of communication. The amazing factor to the internet is all the applications that it offers for communication can be accomplished with very low cost. People can keep connected with other people through emails and chat.

The modern times has seen another advance in the field of communication by providing the latest communication tool, the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) or the Internet Voice. This is very similar to talking over the regular telephone but it is much more advanced. This has become so popular in the modern times that people are seriously contemplating eliminating the use of the regular telephone and switching over entirely to the VoIP system.

VoIP is far superior to the conventional telephone in that it provides many more features and advantages which the latter cannot even dream about. VoIP is through the internet and the voice signals are converted into digital format and then transmitted to the other person. The digital format of the voice signals ensures that there is no loss of voice quality and the communication is quicker and crystal clear as compared to a regular telephone conversation.

A great attraction that VoIP provides is the cost factor. Using this system, a person can make long distance calls to any other place in the world at a very low price or even for free. When compared to calls made long distance over the regular telephone, the communication is much faster, clearer and much cheaper when using the VoIP service. So, you will end up with lesser bills over the month in comparison to using the regular telephone line.

VoIP provides other advantages too. Let us suppose you require a PBX in your organization. If you purchase one to be used with your regular telephone line, it will be quite expensive. But, if you purchase one and use it over the VoIP system, it will be much cheaper and highly consistent. The functioning of the PBX system is similar in both the modalities but if the PBX is used with the VoIP system, it will be through the internet rather than through the telephone line.

VoIP is easily obtainable in today's times. You can find many service providers marketing the services on the internet who will provide business VoIP. But, if the purpose is to install VoIP system at home or if your intention is to make VoIP a career path, you will have to learn about setting up the VoIP system.

Installing a VoIP system is taught by Cisco Training Courses which has several such courses, one of them the Asterisk VoIP Hosted PBX.

If you opt for this course, you will be provided with all the training materials you will require to understand the process of setting up a VoIP system in any kind of setup. VoIP is beneficial for residential and business purposes. But, Asterisk VoIP Hosted PBX is more suitable for big organizations in meeting their communication needs.

Cisco provides all relevant information about the various VoIP PBX systems that are available and their utility. Using the Asterisk VoIP Hosted PBX, one can integrate all the phone lines in the organization into a single channel for communication that uses the internet to route the calls.

IP PBX is a powerful tool for communication within any office setup. Using this piece of hardware, the entire organization's communication needs can be met and easily regulated.

If you are intending to take up VoIP as a career path, you need to contemplate about Cisco VoIP Training Courses. The advantage this course provides is the hands-on experience using the Asterisk VoIP Hosted PBX. VoIP is definitely a good career path what with the amount of popularity it is gaining by the day and the pace at which it is eliminating the need for regular telephones.

Learn the secrets behind voip qos as well as implementing the cisco voip for large corporations when you visit http://www.businessvoipcentral.com - for more free tips and strategies in VOIP broadband management

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_B_Mayall

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How to Setting Up VoIP on Your DSL Line

Voip Business Solutions Presents:

How to Setting Up VoIP on Your DSL Line
By Chrystel Nana

The primary differences are that you use a different adapter and that adapter connects to the DSL router or modem rather than to a cable modem. To make your connection, follow these steps:

1. Connect the VoIP adapter box to the DSL router or modem.
2. Connect your computer to the VoIP adapter box.
3. Install the software provided by the VoIP provider.
4. Configure the telephone number and other parameters as directed by the VoIP provider.
5. Connect a microphone and speakers or plugs to a VoIP headset or handset.
6. Use the IP soft phone directly from your computer and begin to place VoIP telephone calls.

DSL does not require you to abandon your POTS telephone nor its services. Using an inexpensive splitter that plugs into the VoIP adapter box, you can, continue to enjoy POTS telephony as well as VoIP.

Potential DSL problems

The technology used by DSL requires that the distance between your computer and the nearest carrier facility be no greater than 18,000 feet (about 3.5 miles). Distance is a factor with DSL in determining overall data speed: The shorter the distance, the better the throughput. Thus, the closer you are to the carrier facility, the better the quality of your VoIP experience. If you are near the distance limit, you may not be able to get speeds that provide satisfactory quality.

DSL does not provide enough bandwidth to support VoIP traffic for a multilocation company. Therefore, DSL is not acceptable as a transport for a multisite corporate network. However, DSL is more than adequate for consumer and home-business VoIP.

Learn more about VoIP with this VoIP Service Information website http://www.best-voip-service.info - a very useful place for those who are new to VoIP Solution.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chrystel_Nana

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Advantages of VoIP Virtual Numbers

Voip Business Solutions Presents:

Advantages of VoIP Virtual Numbers
By Laura Rucker

What is a virtual number? It is almost like a toll free number except it does not start with 800 or 877 or 888 or 866. If someone calls it from a long distance location, they will be assessed long distance charges. But it is like a toll free number in the sense that it is not really tied to a specific location. Yes, it is tied to a specific PHONE, but not to a location.

Let me see if I can clarify this further with some examples. Say you live in Chicago, so your VoIP phone has a local number like 773-xxx-xxxx. Nothing weird or strange about that, right? But now let's say you have parents in Tampa and your wife's sister in Denver, both of whom call you regularly but don't like paying the long distance charges. So you get a VIRTUAL NUMBER for your home VoIP phone, one in Tampa and another one in Denver.

What has happened? You are home in Chicago and can make and receive calls all day long when someone calls your normal Chicago number. But your parents in Tampa can call a LOCAL Tampa phone number and your VoIP phone in Chicago will ring! Your wife's sister can call a LOCAL number in Denver and your VoIP phone in Chicago will ring.

Do you see the beauty of this? For one flat fee for having the virtual number, you can receive calls from wherever your virtual numbers are at, and the caller doesn't have to pay the long distance charges because it is a LOCAL call for them.

Another use for this is if you live in say Des Moines. Now Des Moines is a great place to live, but it's not exactly the financial capital of the world. You have a business and you want a NEW YORK phone number. You can have your VoIP phone in Des Moines, but you can also have a VoIP Virtual Number in New York so that if customers are calling you, it looks to them as if they are calling New York, which IS considered a major financial center.

The cost for a virtual number is very low compared to what your callers would pay for a long distance charge. (And depending on how often they call you, of course!) For example with Packet8, a virtual number in the US is a flat fee of $4.99 per month, and you can also get a virtual number in the UK, France, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Italy, Ireland, or Denmark for only $9.99 per month. With SunRocket, you get your own local number and your first virtual number in the US comes with the package at no additional charge.

In summary, virtual numbers are great for VoIP service. For one flat fee, you can receive calls from wherever your virtual numbers are at and the caller doesn't have to pay the long distance charges because it is a LOCAL call for them.

For more information about getting the lowest price on a VoIP T1 Line Ethernet, MPLS or OCx Circuit, each with a Low Price Guarantee, from over 30 first-tier and top-tier carriers, from the agency that won the 2008 "Carrier of the Year" award at the National Telecom Association conference, please visit http://www.usavetelecom.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Laura_Rucker

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Mobile VoIP Calls: Save Your Mobile Phone Bill Through VoIP

Voip Business Solutions Presents:


Mobile VoIP Calls: Save Your Mobile Phone Bill Through VoIP
by Nisha Garg

The Voice Over IP (VoIP) technology has made it possible for people to intently use the service for connectivity purpose. The connectivity option brings to users the facility of free mobile VoIP calls. The user-friendliness of the system allows people to avail the services of VoIP networks at a significantly low call cost.

The significance of VoIP calls cannot be over ruled when it comes to mobile phones. In fact, mobile phones are largely used to access Voice Over IP networks. Several software have come up that are compatible to mobile handsets. These software make it possible for people to make use of VoIP technology and access the websites on their mobile handsets that offer free mobile calls.

VoIP being a digital system allows people to stay connected at a cost that is surprisingly low. Some websites also offer free network connection. The reason why this is possible is that these websites earn huge returns from companies that post their advertisements on these websites. As people all over the world, constantly keep visiting these websites, so big companies prefer to post their add on these websites. So, the returns are huge and thus the websites can easily cater to providing free mobile VoIP calls to people anywhere in the world.

Thus free mobile calls are becoming popular on mobile phones or computers. The users can easily avail the websites that cater to such service. This can be done on mobile phones with the aid of some software. The software supports every functionality offered by the VoIP calls. Thus while forwarding mobile calls to distant places, it becomes possible for people to make free VoIP calls.

The only pre-requisite for this service is that people have to avail internet connection. Having done so, it is possible for anyone to avail VoIP connectivity from any place in the world. It is also true that several plans are offered from time to time by service providers. A wholesaler or a reseller of VoIP come up with various plans and this is how people can stay in touch with each other at significantly low call cost. The plans are introduced keeping in mind the advantage of people who avail this service.

Detailed information about the websites catering to VoIP connectivity is available on the internet. Users just need to surf the web and open the sites that provide the latest information. Having done so, one can know everything about VoIP phones and their plans. It is also possible to register onto these sites without having to pay anything as subscription charge. The users can also learn about the rules, terms and conditions that apply, on availing services from the various websites.

About the Author

Start saving money on your mobile phone bill with mobile VoIP calls.

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Neat VoIP Tricks and Advantages

Voip Business Solutions Presents:

Neat VoIP Tricks and Advantages
By Laura Rucker

The really nice thing about VoIP is that it is a service that you can take with you when you travel. For example, most hotels now have high-speed Internet service, and if you take your VoIP phone with you, you can plug in at the hotel and continue to make and receive calls at your regular phone number as if you had never left home. Keep in mind that if the hotel offers ONLY a wireless Internet connection, as many of them do as your only option, this presents another problem and you will need additional hardware to convert that wireless signal into an RJ45 jack that you can plug your VoIP DTA box into.

I know of one business person who does not leave home without his VoIP phone, it is always one of the first things that gets packed. So when he gets to his hotel in Chicago or New York or Denver or even Germany or Hong Kong, he plugs in his VoIP phone and is back to work. While it may seem strange to have a VoIP phone plugged into your Hong Kong hotel room, and have people call you on it by dialing an Orlando phone number (if you live in Orlando), that is how VoIP works and it really is nice.

Another thing you can do is say you have relatives in Europe or the UK that you like to talk to but it is prohibitively expensive to call overseas very often. To solve this problem, what you should do is get a VoIP phone for you, and have them get a VoIP phone from the same provider. Now even though they are living in London or Munich, they will have a Detroit or Houston phone number. They can call you and talk as long as you want, or you can call them on their assigned phone number (which might appear to be Detroit or Denver) and talk as long as you want. The only thing they need is that high-speed Internet connection, and of course an electrical adapter to accommodate the different voltages overseas.

In summary, VoIP service is a great communications tool for both home and business use. It's recommended that if you're seriously considering VoIP service for your calling needs, be sure to compare the features and functions of several service providers before signing up. Comparison shopping will save you time and headaches in the long run and ensure you are purchasing the best VoIP service for YOUR needs.

For more information about getting the lowest price on a VoIP, T1 Line, Ethernet, MPLS or OCx Circuit, each with a Low Price Guarantee, from over 30 first-tier and top-tier carriers, from the agency that won the 2008 "Carrier of the Year" award at the National Telecom Association conference, please visit http://www.usavetelecom.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Laura_Rucker

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US ISPs, Throttling, and the Coming War on VoIP

Voip Business Solutions Presents:

US ISPs, Throttling, and the Coming War on VoIP.

Throttling and bandwidth capping are a hot topic amongst forums devoted to bandwidth and ISPs. Both ISP defenders and attackers get heated up and give justifications as to why capping and throttling is acceptable or unacceptable, and why it should be allowed or disallowed by regulators.

There are good reasons for both, however as a whole ISPs are blowing the "P2P is destroying the network" horn a bit too loud. The fact is that P2P is not destroying anything, on the contrary- it is just giving modern-day ISPs a great excuse to become traffic-cop and control what we can and cannot do with the connection we're paying them for. This will have grave consequences and haunt consumers for years to come, in my honest opinion.

One critical aspect which will be affected greatly in the not-so-far future is independent Voice over IP. Independent VoIP is competing against VoIP-over-Cable (AKA "digital voice") offerings which typically cost 3-4 times what independent VoIP providers charge, and almost as much as a regular phone would. In today's internet situation, consumers barely feel the difference between indy VoIP and cable-provided VoIP. It's pretty much all the same quality-wise.

Recently however, an alarming news came from a major cable internet provider when it circulated the following message among it's users:

"As part of our ongoing efforts to continuously improve the quality of our service, we are switching to a new network congestion management technique by the end of the year. It is focused on managing network congestion only when and where it may occur. It will also replace the current technique and will help ensure that all of our customers receive their fair share of network resources..."

Their FAQs proceed to indicate that their VoIP Service will NOT be affected by this "network management" technique. So far all good, right? Wrong. What happens if you're using an independent VoIP provider? you guessed right - it's your problem, not their's! If you get flagged for throttling, not only will your internet connection slow to a barely-usable state, should you dare to use a competing independent VoIP provider, your phone will also be affected and range from terrible quality to completely unusable.

Now, what exactly is stopping ISPSs from sniffing your traffic (a practice they've already mastered), and once they figure out you are running VoIP applications over your connection just flag you for throttling? sure, you're not using a lot of bandwidth, in your opinion - but then again ISPS neglect to indicate what "a lot" actually means. There's nothing stopping them from arbitrarily deciding that 180kbps usage (the amount of total bandwidth required for a typical two-way VoIP conversation) over more than two minutes is "excessive". You'll end up getting great quality calls for the first two minutes, followed by terrible quality for the rest of the call.

In essence, US ISPs, hold way too much power in their hands, and all signs show they intend to use it. Cable and DSL providers are a monopoly in the US. Even if there is some minor competition it is typically between one cable provider and one DSL provider, which is not real competition as they BOTH will "shape" your traffic - which is just another word for "control what you can and can't do with the bandwidth you're paying for". Today it is P2P applications. Tomorrow it is your Voice over IP, Video over IP, and any other applications which your ISP decides to ban.

And don't think you're safe if you don't use an independent VoIP provider, either. Every used Skype? how about video chat over MSN Messenger or Yahoo! Messenger? given the higher bandwidth these applications consume they are much more likely targets for the ISPs to start with. Now let's continue.. online gaming? no online gaming here, takes too much bandwidth! And how about YouTube? surely YouTube would be alright... right? wrong again! YouTube too consumes far more bandwidth than VoIP and even some P2P applications - which makes it a prime target for the I-want-to-control-your-traffic power-hungry modern ISP.

I think I've said enough, surely you too - my dear reader - can see where this is going, and what type of challenges businesses operating over the internet are going to have in years to come. For competition's sake and for the sake of a free market and a free internet - this needs to be stopped, and stopped fast by laws and regulations - and the sooner the better. America is turning into a third world nation when it comes to internet connectivity, and you and I will suffer the consequences while ISP CEOs buy another yacht and private plane while ensuring shareholders that the competition is gone!

I wish you all a very happy, unthrottled experience with your ISP, VoIP, and other applications!


About The Author
Nitzan Kon is the CEO of Future Nine Corporation - a leading provider of VoIP Phone Service and Cheap Calling Cards

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nitzan_Kon

Voip Business Solutions

Business VoIP: Finding Performance-Oriented Ways Gets Easy

Voip Business Solutions Presents:

Business VoIP: Finding Performance-Oriented Ways Gets Easy

This is a technology which performs the process of transformation of human voice into digital signals which are sent across the network at very high speeds. The major benefits of using this technology is that there is a striking reduction in the cost associated with making phone calls using this technology. Therefore since the money being spent on a single call is so less, hence more and more human beings have started talking on phones which are made using this technology. The scenario has widened to the extent that not only human beings but also businesses are using the advantages of this technology. 'Business VoIP' is therefore one of the major areas of business for a huge number of VoIP service providers in the world today.


VoIP for business is actually quite a transparent affair with the overall process being extremely smooth and therefore quite fast. Businesses all over the world have started to use the benefits of the business VoIP service and hence are laying their hands to perhaps one of the most advanced and the most effective communication mediums in the world today.

The services that are given to a business when it applies for the application of this technology are immense and the total set ends up in enhancing the overall performance of the business and hence the result is absolute magic. The major feature of the services that are provided by the service providers are VoIP business plans. These plans are actually schemes or offers which impart many extra benefits like personnel training and also add-on features apart from the basic feature of cheap communication medium.

The business domain has changed completely with the entry of new companies in the arena due to the flourishing of the developing countries. The result is the increase in businesses all over the world and a total increase in the number of customers for the VoIP service providers. VoIP business opportunities have therefore increased with the increase in the number of would be customers. The technology is a well known one and hence the chance of the desire of applying it is quite high. The opportunities are hence good and are likely to be better with the increase of newer businesses.


Business VoIP is hence a term which has assumed a new understanding in the sense of the technology being utilised by many businesses all over the world. Therefore the businesses that are booming are using this technology and the developing ones have also started to use this technology as well. Hence business is quite an important aspect for the service providers apart from the normal public for service providers.

About the Author
by Kristen Kiya. For more information, visit: Business VoIP service offered by one of the best VoIP provider.



Voip Business Solutions

Important Enhancement of VoIP Phones

Voip Business Solutions presents:



Important Enhancement of VoIP Phones
by Macit Webmaster

VoIP- Voice over Internet Protocol is a communication technique. VoIP offers to revolutionize the telecom technique and resolve communicating problems. All businessmen want to safely store their confidential data and other information, but sometimes they have to suffer great loss due to leakage of their information. To resolve such types of problems small businessmen have to hire highly skilled professional with high emoluments, this increases their budget.

Nowadays, in a high tech society protecting one's business secret or maintaining confidentiality about one's business is no more a herculean task. VoIP technique is one of the most cost-effective and user-friendly device to safeguard small business installations. This makes you free and safe from various types of invaders' nuisances, such as hacking, viruses etc.

VoIP technique is well-equipped with variety of features like extension, dial by name, caller ID, auto assistance, voicemail, fax messages, email etc. VoIP is not only suitable for small business industry, but can also fit large business establishments or even multinational companies.

Users can enjoy the comfort of dialing a group of phone numbers. They can easily transmit their voicemail in case of no response from the caller. The voicemails and fax mails are delivered to the customers as e-mail messages. It furnishes a broad range of services to the industries, big or small. With its auto detect facial appearance one can easily add new phones to the system. The built-in Wi-Fi technique assists us to get connected with anyone who is using wireless VoIP phones.

With the launch of integrated VoIP technique, most companies are reluctant spending large amount of money on various types of isolated communication equipments. This technically advanced VoIP system fulfills all sorts of communication requirements. It has inherent capability to expand its capacity to fulfill the necessity of any small business.

The protection provided by this state-of-the-art technology is stupendous. No business installation would like to keep itself apart. After all, how can one dare to insecure one's confidentiality, be it some important data or other secret information. VoIP is latest technology in fashion; it does not only safeguard your small business, but also helps you to make it successful through impeccable way of communication.

Normal phones do not stand anywhere, if we compare its quality of sound and cheap call rates. Some of its other features, like call waiting, text forwarding etc. are remarkable, one can rarely find such an elaborate function, leave some highly expensive phones. In brief, VoIP is a multi-purpose gadget which no office or business establishment would like to miss. It has brought end to ordinary telecommunication equipments.

About the Author

Foneshop.com.au offers mobiles phones, cell phones, mobile phone accessories, Cheap Nokia phones, latest cell phones, Cheap VOIP Phones. View the website www.foneshop.com.au for further information.

Voip Business Solutions

VoIP Software Helps Make Small Businesses Competitive

Voip Business Solutions Presents:



VoIP Software Helps Make Small Businesses Competitive
by Ray Subs

Once upon a time VoIP was just a way for the extremely computer savvy to save a few bucks by making computer to computer "phone calls" to a limited circle of friends who were running the same software and had a microphone and a set of speakers or a headphone. Fast forward to modern times where VoIP provides economical phone solutions for consumers from all walks of life and can provide a competitive edge for businesses, especially small businesses. Today's VoIP allows the use of real phones and users can call any phone number in the world using a service such as Skype for a very small fee. Add to that the voice technology software for things like autodialers and auto appointment reminders and a small business can really start to get competitive with the big boys.

They always used to say that the rich get richer while the poor get poorer and that has never been truer than in business today. The other old saying that helps to explain this phenomenon says that time is money. Traditionally big businesses with big budgets were the only ones who could afford the time and money saving solutions like autodialers and appointment reminders while small businesses were forced to use their already limited manpower resources making endless phone calls, with much of that time spent listening to the phone ringing or busy signals. There is a wide array of VoIP software solutions offered these days that make time-saving and money making phone solutions accessible for everyone and give small businesses a chance.

First impressions are difficult to change, especially for a small business. Using the same tools that the big companies do adds a certain level of credibility to a business that may otherwise be elusive. When marketing products and/or services via the telephone the customer is going to judge the company's entire image based on how the phone call is executed as it is their only point of reference. VoIP technology has made a great deal of progress in the last ten years and currently provides a practical alternative to the pricey services offered by the phone company. In today's economy small efforts to save time and money can be the difference between success and failure, especially for the small business. VoIP software solutions can provide that competitive edge to keep small businesses profitable.

A company such as Voicent can provide software solutions such as autodialers, auto appointment reminders, text to voice and broadcast email solutions to give small businesses that competitive edge they are seeking. Couple those types of software solutions with an affordable VoIP service provider such as Skype and even the smallest business can project a successful image that will add to their bottom line even during the most trying economic times. A successful image, higher productivity and financial savings are all benefits of using VoIP software and services over those offered by traditional phone companies and Voicent and Skype are top notch choices available in today's market.

About the Author

Ray Subs works with Voicent as a public relations consultant, more information about Voicent can be found at http://www.Voicent.com.

Voip Business Solutions

Troubleshooting VoIP

VoIP Business Solutions Presents:


Troubleshooting VoIP

This is a compilation of information learned from dealing with a real world issues related to VoIP. I make no claims of being an expert. These tips may send you down a trail to find solutions for tweaking and maximizing your VoIP service. Please understand I know only enough to be dangerous!

1. Is the phone or adaptor plugged into the correct spot? Do not plug it into the computer but rather into the modem or router.

2. Wall jack connection. It is possible to plug the phone cord directly into your current wall jack instead of into a phone. Using this method of hook up you should be able to use all your phones in their current locations. To do this you would plug the adaptor into the phone jack instead of the phone and the Ethernet cable into the broadband. Ask an expert for more information on this method.

3. Do you have enough IP numbers with your broadband service? If you have only one you must have a router or splitter connected to the modem to have your phone work. Most services, especially DSL, provide 5 or more IP numbers, cable may provide only one.

4. Wireless connection for your phone. It is possible to have a wireless connection for your phone. Instead of plugging an Ethernet cable into the broadband you can use a wireless connector. I use LINKSYS WIRELESS G Game Adaptor for Playstation 2 and Xbox. It is a 2007 model and I am certain G is now replaced with N for faster speed and farther reach. There are other options as well. Ask at your favorite a techy toy store. A wireless connection may result in an unsatisfactory connection so be aware of that before you spend the money for the equipment. If it works, you will enjoy more freedom. I have only used it for my GrandStream Video Phone.

5. What is your UPLOAD SPEED? What is your DOWNLOAD SPEED? Broadband speed is critical to the performance of the Global Freedom video phone or VoIP. The upload speed must be at least 750kbps and the download must be 1300kbps, preferably a lot more of both up and down speeds. Upload speed is very important. Many broadband providers, especially cable and phone companies, see broadband as another broadcast medium and do not tailor their connections for optimal upload speeds. The bottom line, do not underestimate the importance of upload speeds, especially for video.

6. Test your speed. Do not assume that because you have a well known, highly advertised provider that your speeds are adequate. Go to www.speedtest.net or www.speakeasy.net (on this site click on SPEEDTEST in the lower right corner, then select a city) for a free test of your speed.

7. Call your provider. If your speed is inadequate do not assume you can do nothing about it. For example when we tested our Roadrunner speed it was 2,906 for download and 336kbps for upload. Woefully inadequate for upload speed. Call your provider and insist they give you what you need since, in many cases, you are paying for much more than you get. It can be tweaked!

8. Echo. Low internet speed causes echo on your phone lines.

9. Cable loses speed when too many people get online. This tends to happen when kids are out of school. DSL is unshared bandwidth and remains stable. On the other hand DSL has more firewall issues and lower speeds which can cause problems with VoIP.

10. DSL dry line. You can have DSL Broadband without a land line phone attached.

11. Simultaneous ring. If you are using more than one piece of VoIP hardware, i.e. softphone on your laptop, the adaptor and or the videophone, only one will ring and I could not determine how you know which one will ring. I believe there is an adjustment for simultaneous ring. I have not mastered that yet.

12. Computer gunk. The speed of your internet connection is affected by the condition of your computer. You need to run Defragmentation and Disk Clean regularly. If your computer is full of gunk it slows your connection noticeably. Go to www.PCTuneUpTips.com for top 10 fixes for slow computers.

13. Videophone adjustments. Many adjustments are available. An important one is light. You can adjust the setting on the camera to compensate for the level of lighting in the room. The latest videophone comes with about 12-15 variants, including dark. To make the adjustment for lighting for example hit OK on the keypad, then arrow down to USER PREFERENCE using the arrow below OK. Hit OK again to choose it then arrow down to CAMERA and hit OK again. Now choose EXPOSURE and arrow down to your choice for lighting and hit OK again. When finished arrow down to BACK then OK then down to BACK then OK then to BACK and OK and then arrow to EXIT. It is very easy once you get the hang of it. Takes much longer to write it than to do it.

14. Play with your video phone. You won't break it. It is quite a machine!

15. Find high speed internet providers. Go to www.joe.es where you will find a list of them all. The first part of the list tends to be hotels and other Hot Spots. Keep scrolling and you will find area providers with contact information.

16. Secure your wireless internet connection. If it is not password protected anyone in your range can use your internet connection. This reduces your usable broadband. For example, each phone on the system uses approximately 90kbps.

17. Redundancy. In a larger application, such as an office, it is advisable to have part of the system on DSL and part of it on cable. If one or the other is down, communication is still possible. Or put the computers on a separate cable service.

18. Is VoIP Secure? VoIP is perhaps even more secure than POTS (plain old telephone service) lines, because the information is broken into packets and then re-united when it arrives on the other end of the line, making it difficult or impossible to tap your phone line.

19. Latency. This relates to the delay between packets. (See above) Latency can be tested on the speed test sites. I do not know what the latency reading should be for optimum results but I know it is an issue. Ask your ISP about it.

20. Update the modem and or router firmware. You can do this by going to the website of your equipment manufacturer and searching for your model number and then download the most current firmware. Older modems and routers may not effectively handle VoIP without this update. Do not assume your system has the latest firmware just because you bought it yesterday. It may have been in a warehouse for several months.

21. Cannot call out. This may be a security setting or it may be outdated firmware. (See above).

22. Cannot receive calls. This may be a security setting or it may be outdated firmware. (See above).

23. Tweak your modem and router. Belkin, for instance, comes with more than one speed setting for internet connection. It is usually on the lowest speed Change it and double your connection speed.

24. Do Not Stack Equipment. If you stack your modem and router or other relevant equipment it is possible to get crossover noise, thereby affecting audio and video clarity.

25. Bad Cables. Yes, it is possible to have a bad cable. It can be invisible breaks inside the shield. Keep the cables all organized with space between them. Crimped or tightly bundled cable is not good either.

26. Read the information that comes with your modem or router. You may learn something important and useful.

27. Line conditioner, prioritizer and optimizer. This is a device that cleans up the line and prioritizes voice, video and gaming. I recommend LinkSys Network Optimizer or Hawking (model HBB1).

28. Line filter. This is a small device used with DSL. This device prevents static and crossover noise on the line. Some say remove it for VoIP, while others say leave it on. It is easy to try it both ways to see what works best for you.

29. Firewalls. These may be set up on your computer or it may be a firewall placed there by your Internet Service Provider (ISP). On your computer go into start>settings>control panel>security to tweak your security settings.

30. Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS). This is a device to protect your computer and other equipment from power surges and brown outs. Instead of uneven power being fed into your device you get a nice even flow of energy. They usually have an outlet for a phone. It is a must for your computers, and I highly recommend it for your Global Freedom Phone. I believe it can enhance video and audio clarity, and I know for sure it protects the equipment from being destroyed during a storm or other irregularities in power delivery. Summertime, for example, brings brown outs due to overload from air conditioners running 24/7 in almost every home.

31. Connections. Make sure that every hardware connection related to your internet is secure. Unplug each one and reseat them with a firm hand. Unplugged connections account for a lot of problems.

32. Electrical Breaker. Check the breaker in your electrical box. Sometime they appear to be ON but they are what I call mushy. Turn it off and back on with a firm hand.

33. Clear the deck. Keep the area around the equipment clear of clutter and dust free to prevent overheating and disconnections. I had a call from a VoIP customer that her phone was not working well. When I went into the closet to check her modem it was piled high with clothes. Problem solved!

34. 800 Numbers. If you cannot reach an 800 number with your VoIP phone contact your VoIP service provider.

35. Last but not least. When all else fails recycle the modem, router and phone. Unplug all of them. Plug in the modem and allow it to come up completely, about 60 seconds. Now plug the router into the modem and allow it to come up. Now plug the phone in again and allow it to re-connect. Note: You must restart your computer if you wish to get back on the internet with your computer. Super note: Your computer does not have to be on for your phone to work.

Key Words to Know: Kbps= kilobit per second transfer rate. KB/sec. There are 8 bits to a byte so we would divide kbps by 8 to get KB/sec. Download speed: Download is a measure of how fast your connection delivers content to your computer or local area network. Upload Speed: Is the measure of how fast content, such as video, is delivered from your computer or video phone to others on the internet.


About the Author

M. Ann Karlberg is an entrepreneur with a passion for getting ahead of the wave of a new trend or shift in old trends. Her current interest is in the dramatic changes occuring in digital telephony, VoIP. By the year 2012 she believes dramatic shifts will have occured in the industry thereby opening up opportunities for the average person to finacially benefit by saving money and earning money. Ann is also fascinated by the exciting possibilities inherent in

VoIP Business Solutions

Skype, It's a Simple Solution and Money in the Bank!

VoIP Business Solutions Presents:



Skype, It's a Simple Solution and Money in the Bank!

About a year ago I was really struggling to keep up with the rising cost of my energy bills and gasoline for my car. In addition to that I maintain an office from which I operate a small business and lets just say it has it's own set of problems and expenses.

It seemed as though there was no relief from the ever rising cost of living. I was getting desperate for places to cut out expenses. The one expense that I could not do without but dreaded paying the most was my monthly telephone bills. I had already eliminated my cell phones since I really did not need them in my business. The nature of my business does require that I have high speed Internet access and at-least 2 telephone lines.

The problem is that combined with my home Internet service and 2 telephone lines. I was paying over $400 a month for my telephone services. And believe me I really hated to make that payment each month. Determined that I was not going to pay another huge phone bill I started thinking about using a VOIP service. If you don't know what VOIP (Voice Over IP) is don't worry it's not important.

It was during my research that I came across a very unique service called Skype that was destined to save me nearly $5000 almost instantly. At first I was very skeptical about trying Skype because I really needed a reliable service for my business. I was also concerned about the sound quality of the calls. So I decided to test it while keeping my regular phone services in place. Much to my surprise the sound quality was very good and not one person new I was using a new service. A few people even commented on how clear the calls were.

30 days later I was amazed and totally convinced that I could use Skype with no major concerns. The Skype calls were crystal clear complete with voice-mail, call forwarding and conference calls. I even got free long distance calls to anywhere in the USA and Canada

Needless to say I immediately made changes to my regular telephone services both at my office and at home. Here is what I ended up doing:

- I totally eliminated my regular telephone lines in my office and at home. That saved me about $240 plus long distance charges and left me with just a DSL

line at home and at my office. I was able to get the DSL for about $44 per month. So I now pay under $100 per month for both locations.

- The little service that I found cost me about $60 every 5 months and I have a total of 4 separate phone numbers and some really useful tools for my business.

Over a year later I am still very happy with both the service and my incredible savings. Skype may not be for everyone but it sure works out for me and has saved me a lot of money. So if you are looking to reduce the cost of of your phone bill it is definitely worth a look.

Skype was actually founded in 2003. So it is fairly well established now. Skype is simply a small piece of software that makes communicating with people around the world easy and fun. You can call people's computers, landlines and cell phones. So it is easy to say hello or share a laugh with anyone, anywhere in the world. And if both of you use Skype, it's free.

Skype is available in 28 languages and is used in almost every country around the world. It generates revenue through its premium offerings such as making and receiving calls to and from landlines and mobile phones, as well as voice-mail and call forwarding. The company, based in Luxembourg, has relationships with a growing network of hardware and software providers and is an eBay company (NASDAQ: EBAY).

Gerald Scott is an active author with articles on dozens of topics.
http://allbudgetsolutions.com/low_rates
http://allbudgetsolutions.com/cellphonedeals

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gerald_Scott


Anyone who have switch from conventional phone to skype please share your experience!

VoIP Business Solutions

Free VoIP Or Paid VoIP - Which One Is Better

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Free VoIP Or Paid VoIP - Which One Is Better

Paid VoIP plans start at around $20 a month which comes to about $250 a year. So why pay for it if you can get it for free? But before I delve into that let me notice that even with the free VoIP to landline or cell phone offers – there are often small long distance charges with common exceptions often dealing with free promotional offers.

There are certain features that the paid VoIP provider might provide which a free one might not. One such feature is the 911 emergency call service functionality. This particular issue has to do with the difficulty of pinpointing a geographical location of a call that is being routed through the Internet. FCC has regulated in 2005 that all VoIP providers hooking up to PSTN network are required to comply with providing full 911 call compatibility or otherwise not to obtain new customers in areas where it is mandatory.

Sometimes there is also raised a question of a voice transmission quality difference between the two types of VoIP although in my personal experience that has not been an issue.

Next there is the local phone number availability. Some free VoIP providers offer it as an add-on paid feature. The same may apply to extras like caller ID, call waiting, call forwarding and voice mail. Others allow you even to have more then one local number and in remote geographical locations.

If you are a business VoIP user the ability to send faxes over VoIP might be important to you as well. Or if you are using VoIP for conference calling with large number of simultaneous participants then it is definitely something to find out – how far will your VoIP provider be able to accommodate you with that.

The final answer to which type of VoIP is better will depend on whether you need these extra features. Also many paid VoIP providers have sign up specials offering either free VoIP phone sets and/or interface boxes for regular corded or cordless phones . So if you are planning on using regular phone sets for dialing up to VoIP network that might be then also something to consider.

And if you are not depending on free long distance VoIP to PSTN offers from the free VoIP providers then the amount of time you spend on the phone can also be a factor in deciding which type of VoIP is best suite to your needs.

Ramzes Berezecki is recognized for his informative writings relating to VoIP phone and VoIP service provider. For more information regarding VoIP please visit his blog at voipchoice.blogspot.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ramzes_Berezecki



VoIP Business Solutions

How To Find Free VOIP

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How To Find Free VOIP

When it comes to finding free VOIP (voice over internet protocol) you need to ensure that both you and the person you wish to talk to have the same software downloaded on to their PC’s. Therefore if you are someone who has Skype VOIP software on their PC then the person you wish to talk to should have the same software package on their PC as well. But in order to get the best out of this technology you will need to have the following:-

1. A good high speed internet connection such as LAN (local area network) or DSL (a high speed service).

2. A computer plus an adapter.

3. A special VOIP or broadband phone or you may decide to use a good quality headset with microphone attached.

4. The essential software that allows you to make all your VOIP calls.

However when it comes to obtaining free VOIP you may find that you are causing yourself more problems than you would expect if you are using a normal land line. Certainly you will find that you are actually saving money when the service is working properly but you will find it much more difficult to use especially when there are problems with your internet service or connection. Also it is important that you place a good security system on your PC in order to prevent any calls that you make from being hijacked otherwise you will then find that others can become party to your conversations with others without you even knowing about it.

Also when it comes to using the services for obtaining free VOIP calls it is important that you choose a company who is going to be available on a regular continuous basis. Certainly if this is the only way in which you are going to primarily use this as your way of communicating with others then you need to look closely at what areas each service provider covers along with how much they actually charge you to use their service initially.

If you are seriously considering using a free VOIP ser vice then you need to look closely at those providers who are able to meet your needs as much as possible as well as what kind of rating they have in the market place. You will also need to look at each one to discover which is the most affordable and what exactly each has to offer in their particular plans. If you are someone who is likely to be making a lot of international calls then you need to find a free VOIP service provider that offers you both local, national and international calls as part of their package or else you may find your bills becoming higher because you are required to pay an additional fee to make international calls. By comparing the various services that the providers have to offer will help you in the end to make a more informed decision as to whether free VOIP is worth having or not.

Find out more about finding free VOIP

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carl_Walker



VoIP Business Solutions

The Real Top Ten Reasons Companies Are Switching To Voip

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The Real Top Ten Reasons Companies Are Switching To Voip

1. Lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for new businesses or businesses in need of replacing their existing phone system. With a Hosted VoIP PBX companies get full use of a PBX without the costly expense of equipment, upgrades and maintenance. Small businesses can have the appearance of a large centralized business with a Hosted PBX by utilizing the span of features available.

2. No need to purchase new equipment or lose your investment in your current legacy system. VoIP providers over the course of time have spent so much in product development of their Hosted VoIP Solution that many of them are not offering SIP Trunking and many businesses do not realize the benefits of SIP trunking. SIP trunking allows businesses to keep their existing analog PBX and telephones.

3. Lower Monthly Recurring Charges. Bundling voice and data on to one network provides one solution, one bill and one provider. Most VoIP providers offer unlimited local and long distance calling and a good bundled solution should also provide a fast business class internet connection. The benefits to bundled services are that it maximizes the dollars a small to medium size business is spending on telecommunication services.

4. Over 70% of traditional phone bills are wrong. VoIP customers know ahead of time every month exactly how much their bill is going to be for all services except international calling. There is very little room for billing errors and crammed bills full of services not requested or required.

5. Cuts Operating Costs. VoIP solutions are software based and is easily updated, changed and expanded without further capital expense. The hosted PBX is completely maintenance free because there is no hardware. It is a virtual system. Unlike conventional legacy phone system that is hardware based and are expensive to make changes and require costly equipment purchases to expand calling capacity.

6. Streamline Communications. With VoIP companies can take advantage of simple 3 digit transfer to any supported property or office. No matter if one office is in Boca Raton and the other office is in New York the call is transferred as if they were in the same building. Furthermore businesses can consolidate call answering from a central location too. Eliminate the need and responsibility of every office location having to manage their incoming calls with centralized call answering.

7. Disaster Proof a hosted PBX phone system coupled with an IP telephone is disaster proof. Companies lost several thousand dollars because of the loss of communication during and after the hurricanes. The PBX is hosted off site in a secured facility with multiple back up systems and reroutes.

8. QOS stands for “Quality of Service” gone are the days of dropped unclear calls. Business class VoIP maintains a high QOS and technological advances in IP telephony transportation have made Internet calling as good as or better than normal PSTN connections. This is true for high speed Broadband connections and dedicated internet connections, whereas dial up services have some way to go before delivering the quality of PSTN calling.

9. Hybrid VoIP Solution. There are a few VoIP providers that deploy a hybrid VoIP solution that automatically reserves or routes resources for optimal bandwidth allocation. The system automatically ensures that the VoIP call has the bandwidth needed allocated from point to point before the conversation takes place. The second is prioritization: Here, the end point suggests a priority on the packets and each router decides if it will honor this request or not. Voice will always take a priority over data. A hybrid solution furthermore distributes the bandwidth that on a traditional system is not dynamic or flexible.

10. Multi Layered Security Unlike traditional service VoIP attacks are prevented because of the multitude of layers and encryptions placed within the provider’s networks. The layered security approach not only prevents attacks, but the probability that if broached it will meaningfully reduce the probability that the attack succeeds.

About The Author
Lisa Kaye has been in Telecom for 12 years and is currently the Director of Operations for http://www.intralinx.com who has recently launched a low cost Red Bundle Box VoIP Solution for small to medium size businesses.


VoIP Business Solutions

VoIP Software - What Works for You

VoIP Business Solutions Present:

VoIP Software - What Works for You

VoIP is also widely known as Voice Over Internet Protocol. This new technology allows voice traffic to easily transmit over an IP-based network. VoIP is extremely popular among both individuals and businesses because of its very low cost.

VoIP can operate through either software or hardware and sometimes a combination of both. VoIP software is generally less expensive and most of the introductory VoIP products were software based. Software is used with VoIP to compress the voice signal, translate it into packets and ship it over the Internet. This type of software is called a softphone and requires the use of a computer to establish VoIP. It requires a speaker and a microphone to connect to your computer. This connection allows it to function like a phone. Some of this software is available free of charge from several different providers.

The most popular of these is SKYPE. SKYPE actually began the introduction of free software downloads. It does have some requirements though. In order to use it, the other party must be at their computer and free computer-to-computer calls are only available to those who also have their software. It is easy to download and use, works with most computers and offers unlimited voice calls. It is available for residential or business environments. If you want to make calls to land lines or cell phones, you will have to pay a monthly or per call fee.

For the traveling person, VoIP software is advantageous. All they need is a laptop. The software allows the laptop to operate as an IP phone with speaking and listening devices. All calls made within a VoIP provider's service network are free. Charges apply to calls outside the network. Another great benefit is a low international calling rate. So, if your business does work globally, this will be a great benefit.

It is important to evaluate different software options available. Since the system is run by software, an easy to understand user interface is imperative. Look for one that will enable you to manage your whole system. Also, find out if it supports your current operating system. Since you don't really know what you're getting until you actually set it up and operate it, it is a good idea to try it out before you purchase it.

A drawback to soft phones is some users don't like speaking into a microphone. They may feel more comfortable with the regular phone they are use to. In this case, USB handsets can give them the feel of a real phone. Although the sound quality with VoIP software has greatly improved, it is still not on the same playing field as hardware based VoIP.

There are many different software options, such as SPYKE, GloPhone and BuddyTalk, waiting for you to take advantage of them. Many of these are free downloads. But keep in mind; while basic features are free, sometimes-additional components such as voice mail will carry a fee. By researching and testing, you are sure to find VoIP software that will bring you satisfaction.

Article source: http://www.authorpalace.com

About the Author:

More VoIP Software Articles at http://www.eVoIP-Today.com. Learn how to operate a Successful Niche Website Network at http://eWebCreator.com. Matthew Hick has been designing profitable Adsense Websites for over 5 years.

VoIP Business Solutions

How to Choose Between VoIP Hardware or VoIP Software

VoIP Business Solutions

These day, a lot of people or companies make a switch from conventional phone to VoIP, since VoIP is less expensive than the conventional phone. VoIP works by changing voice in the form of the analog signals into digital signals and then transmits the signal via Internet Connection. At the destination the digital signals is decoded back to analog signals so the voice can be heard and understood. These day, there are wide ranges VoIP Service available and there are many ways to get a VoIP Phone.

There are two types of VoIP Phones available in the market that you can choose. You can get a VoIP based on Software that you can install in your computer or you can get a VoIP based on hardware. Both types are different even though they both can be considered VoIP. Which one will suit you the best will be depend on the requirements that you need.

VoIP based on Software

VoIP that based on Software, is in the form of computer programs that you can install in your computer to deliver your voice via the internet Connection. With this VoIP program you can make calls or take calls using microphone and speaker system plunged into your computer with a high-speed internet Connection.
A fews things needed to considers if you want to use VoIP base on software.

• Compability. Make sure Your VoIP software should be compatible with your computer operating system, other wise it will not work.
• Users friendly. Make sure your VoIP software is easy to use. It useless if you have the VoIP software but you do not know how to use it.
• VoIP features. Find out whether your VoIP software have all the VoIP features included such as Video conference and shared whiteboard.

VoIP based on Hardware

On the other hand, with VoIP that based on hardware, you will need a special equipment that can connect to your high speed internet Connection which can change the analog signals in the phone calls to digital signals.

If you want to use VoIP that based on hardware you should consider a few things:

• Connection Support. What sorts of connection that your VoIP phone has? Can it support Ethernet like ISDN or Dialup or even Wi-Fi?
• VoIP Features. Your VoIP phone should support three way calls or video conference.
• Others Consideration. This one is about preferences like what's style of VoIP phone that you want, do you want handset or headset, do you want with cord or cordless.

In general, whether VoIP software or VoIP hardware will be all depends on what suits you the most and what you really needs. Both VoIP software and VoIP Hardware have its own advantages and disadvantages so make a little bit of research to the one that meet your requirements.


VoIP Business Solutions

Tips on How to Choose the Right VoIP Phone

VoIP Business Solutions

If you are currently considering saving cost on your telephone bill then you might want to take a look on VoIP Phone. VoIP stands for Voice Over Internet Protocol, and it works by changing the analog signals to digital signals so it can be delivered over the internet Connection, and at the destination the digital signals will be change back to the analog signals so the receiver can heard and understood the voice.
The main benefit to have a VoIP Phone is that VoIP Phone can help save cost as you can use it to make local calls and long distance calls a lot more cheaply compare to the same usage of the conventional phone.
But with wide ranges of VoIP Phones available on the market these days, you might confuse yourselves which one the right VoIP Phone that will suits you the best. Even thought the answer to that question is entirely up to you, however you might find these tips below helpful in narrowing down which one the right VoIP Phone that suits you the most.

VoIP based on hardware versus VoIP based on Software

VoIP can be based on either software or based on hardware. VoIP that based on Software is in the form of a program that is installed in your computer, and the program will deliver the phone conversation through the internet. You need additional equipments such as speaker and microphone to make it work. Now with VoIP that based on hardware, it utilize a special equipments to connect to high speed internet connection and changing the analog signals to digital signals.
VoIP Phone based on hardware and VoIP Phone based on Software are different to each others yet both are considered as VoIP Phone, and both have their own advantages and disadvantages. Which one will suit you the most will be depends on what you need and what your budget.

VoIP Call Control Protocol

If you want to reach a large number of people that using VoIP, then make sure that your VoIP Phone also support more a lot of call control protocols such as H.323, SIP, IAX2 and MGCP.

VoIP Codec

Code-decode or widely known as codec is an important features of VoIP. VoIP Codec is the one that will change the digital signals back into the analog signals so that you can hear and understand the voice. Therefore the VoIP Phone that you choose have to be able to decode back the digital signals into the analog signals otherwise you might not be able to hear what the other person said in the other end. Samples of codecs are GSM-Full Rate, Speex, ILBC, G.728, G.729 etc.

VoIP Features

A good VoIP phone should have included VoIP features as well to enable you to do call conferencing or call to more than one person at a time. In addition to that, a good VoIP Phone can support encryption, custom ringtones and even Do-Not-Disturb feature (DND).

There you have it. Some tips to help you narrowing down all the options available to choose the Right VoIP phone.
VoIP Business Solutions

VoIP Business Solutions

How to Choose a Broadband Provider for VoIP

VoIP Business Solutions Presents:

How to Choose a Broadband Provider for VoIP

While not absolutely necessary, a broadband Internet connection is what makes your Internet phone calls reliable, and understandable. VoIP uses a traffic engineering term called Quality of Service (QoS) that refers to the implementation of controls to ensure that delay sensitive IP packets are prioritized as they flow through the pipe. To forgo these controls would result in acoustic problems like jitter and echo, as well as dropped calls. Because a broadband pipe is much larger than a dial up connection, there is much more throughput capacity, or space, to allow us to prioritize.

There are basically three ways for the residential consumer to obtain a broadband Internet connection. From your cable television provider, your telephone company, or a wireless broadband network such as Clearwire, a Wi-Fi hotspot, or even a cellular network likes Verizon or Cingular. With these options becoming increasingly more wide spread, utilizing the Internet to route your phone calls has also become a viable and cost saving alternative to traditional landline telephony. Now the question becomes, which type of broadband service is best suited for voice over Internet protocol.

Since the advent of cable television, cable companies have contributed enormously to the development of the worlds Wide Area Networks (WANs), adding broadband Internet to their list of services offered. Indeed, with the development of VoIP, they have even blurred the lines of the telecommunications Industry. The cable modem, and its Coax Cable pipe, have ushered the Internet into the Jet Age with Internet service at the speed of light.

A cable company WAN consists of neighborhoods connected to nodes, each node having its allotted amount of bandwidth. The cable pipe is about the largest to be had for the residential consumer and is plenty big enough for the clearest of VoIP phone calls. However, the bigger the neighborhood grows, and the more people that connect to the pipe, the less bandwidth is available for each household. Cable companies are generally very good about distributing bandwidth and will add more nodes when necessary. Their network is, after all, their bread and butter. Just be aware that at peak traffic times, VoIP call quality can degrade.

The Digital Subscriber Line, or DSL, is the residential broadband solution offered by the traditional telephone companies such as AT&T, the regional bells, and others like Quest Communications for example. For years the Telcos have had the upper hand in the business community, connecting their networks to the outside world via a T1 line, which is the equivalent bandwidth wise to a cable modem. DSL is somewhat slower than a cable modem, and in fact, in some communities is offered at 2 speeds. It also tends to be somewhat cheaper. Nevertheless, there is still ample bandwidth to implement VoIP successfully.

DSL is not affected by node saturation like cable networks, but it is distance sensitive. The further you are from your telephone companys local switching station, the more signal degradation you will have, and the maximum distance is 18,000 feet. Telcos can and do use remote switching stations to expand their service where they see a market opportunity.

The fatal flaw of DSL when considering the use of VoIP, is that most companies require you to subscribe to their traditional telephone service as well. Naked DSL, the unbundling of broadband and telephone service, is possible and is offered by only a few local phone companies. Perhaps because of the cable companies creeping onto their turf, and the slow but sure acceptance of VoIP in the general population, the Telcos seem to think they need to get the money where they can.

In January of 07, the Senate reintroduced the Internet Freedom Preservation Act. One of the provisions called for, is that all broadband service providers offer consumers standalone broadband service. If this Net Neutrality bill passes, DSL could prove to be a viable option for those wishing to switch to VoIP.

Wireless networks also provide ample bandwidth for VoIP telephony, and their value is most appreciated in the life of the Road Warrior. People who constantly travel, weather for business or pleasure, are finding Wi-Fi hotspots popping up everywhere. Most modern hotels have their own wireless network, and Internet cafes are becoming an international phenomenon. Travelers that find a hotspot have the choice of using their laptop and a headset to communicate over the Internet, or to use one of the many Internet Phones found on the market today.

Metropolitan Wireless Broadband networks are also proliferating nation wide. Clearwire Wireless Broadband is a company that uses a combination of Non Line of Site (NLOS) and its own proprietary technology to cover whole cities, even regions of the country. Let it be known however, that this technology has been met with mixed reviews.

If youve visited a college campus recently, you may have noticed tiny antennas sticking up from the rooftops every few meters. Campuses today have their own Wi-Fi networks, allowing students, faculty and administrators to make VoIP phone calls via their laptop, or an Internet phone, from anywhere on campus.

The Cellular Networks built by companies like Verizon, Sprint, and Cingular, have proliferated all over the world and indeed blanket most developed population areas. Cell phones have been introduced by Nokia, Samsung, and most recently the Apple iPhone, that are capable of switching (in some cases seamlessly) from a cellular network to a Wi-Fi hotspot and back. However, it is the Cellular companies that control the airwaves.

Cingular Wireless (soon to be at&t wireless) already utilizes phones with quad band and Wi-Fi support, and will be the carrier for the much anticipated Apple iPhone. While the cell phone networks seem to have been dragging their feet on implementing full support of VoIP for the consumer, there are technological issues to be considered, as well as how they will profit from the technology.

Once the broadband pipe has been decided upon, there is still the issue of picking a VoIP service provider. Cable companies, Telcos, and increasingly cellular companies all offer their own VoIP service to consumers, and since their service is over their own networks, they are in an excellent position to deal with Quality of Service issues.

You are not, however, under any obligation to use your broadband service provider as your VoIP service provider. Pure play VoIP providers, companies that offer only VoIP service, have grown in number, and could be said to be responsible for the low rates associated with VoIP telephony. Vonage, with around 53% of the residential VoIP market, is one pioneer in the industry that offers calling plans as low as $15 a month. SunRocket, Packet8, and the peer to peer VoIP company Skype, have calling plans for even less. Cable and Telco plans on the other hand, are bound to cost more, starting at around $35 or $40.

Whatever VoIP service provider you choose, and for whatever reason, the most important factor in determining the quality of the call is the quality of the pipe. To test your connection for VoIP suitability, do a query on the keywords "voip test" on your favorite search engine

Article source: http://www.authorpalace.com

About the Author:

Author Michael Talbert is a certified systems engineer and web designerwith over 7 years experience in the industry. For more information on Voice over IP Telephony, visit the website VoIP-Facts.net, or the VoIP Blog for up to date industry news and commentary.

VoIP Business Solutions

How To Maximize Use Of VoIP For Your Home Business

VoIP Business Solutions Presents:

How To Maximize use Of VoIP For Your Home Business

If you are running a home business, you can use VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) services to provide many benefits. VoIP is known to be significantly less expensive than the traditional telephone long distance packages, but this is only one advantage of using VoIP.

While there are other options, you can choose to use your regular home phone to take advantage of VoIP technology. This can be done by using a VoIP telephone adapter to connect your phone to the internet via a high speed modem. VoIP technology allows internet users with high speed (broadband) access to place telephone calls over the internet.

There are many VoIP service providers with whom one can sign up for a calling plan.

As VoIP rides on the internet technology, there are many features that are now possible as compared to the traditional phone. Many traditional phone features that come at an extra charge are also provided free with the basic calling plan.

1. Cheaper Than Traditional Phones
Using VoIP is a cheaper option if you make a lot of long distance and international calls. This is possible as the call uses the same internet facility as you do for your web access and email.

Upon signing up for a calling plan with a service provider, the VoIP telephone adapter will typically be provided free.

All calls between people using the same service provider are free regardless of location. This alone can provide significant savings if your business associates use the same service providers.

There are many features that come free with the calling plan. Some of these features are:
- call waiting
- caller ID
- three-way calling
- call forwarding
- last number redial
- speed dial
- voicemail

2. Allows Mobility
When traveling, you can take the VoIP adapter with you and instantly turn a phone anywhere in the world into your local phone. This will require a high speed internet connection.

This is possible as the VoIP adapter is specially coded with your VoIP phone number.

With the VoIP Physical Portability feature, you can still receive your customers' phone calls while traveling on business matters, on holiday or moving home.

3. Establishing Business Offices At Multiple Locations
VoIP Virtual Numbers allow multiple inbound telephone access numbers in different cities. With this feature, it is possible to establish your business in multiple locations by creating a "Virtual Presence" using virtual numbers.

These virtual numbers can be routed to any number that you specify. If you lived in Chicago, you can have access numbers in New York, Houston and San Francisco all routing through to your number in Chicago.

With this feature, business addresses can be established in different cities and even countries. You can set up these virtual numbers based on the locations from where you expect to receive many phone calls. This could be your existent customers or your prospects.

Besides enhancing the image of your business, customers get the benefit of calling a local number which is less costly for them.

Most service providers who offer this feature charge about $5 per month for each additional access number. This makes it possible to establish business offices at multiple locations at a low cost.

4. Enhanced Voice Mail
Some service providers offer you the ability to receive voice mail messages as an email attachment. You can play them back as a sound file through your computer.

As a home business owner, you can also save these voice mails to your computer's hard drive for future reference. You can also forward this to another person if follow up action is required.

5. Selecting A VoIP Service Provider
Your choice of the VoIP service provider and the calling plan depends on your unique needs.

Depending on your business needs, you can select calling plans for local/long distance or international calls. International calls can be made with local/long distance plans but at an additional per minute rate. International plans typically include USA local and long distance coverage.

First decide on the features you require to manage your home business. Then match these against the features available. Resist buying based on the number of features provided by the service provider.

Independent surveys show that most of the established VoIP carriers are about the same in terms of voice quality. Good customer service is also an important criteria for selecting your service provider. Read customer reviews on these aspects to help you choose the service provider.

There are service providers that include a "Money Back Guarantee". Check against your service quality criteria, once you have initiated the service. Cancel the service and request for your money back if you are not happy with the results. Make sure you do this within the "trial" period allocated.

For a month-to-month plan, your service is automatically renewable each month, until you cancel the service. So, you have the option of canceling. Some annual plans allow you to cancel on a month-to-month basis, but watch out for the extra charges you may incur if you cancel. Check out all these details before you sign up.

About the Author

Regina Maniam shares information on how you can exploit VoIP for your home business. You can find more information at http://www.voipsolutionforyou.com.

VoIP Business Solutions