What You Need To Know About Internet Phone Service

This article will explain the basics of Internet phone service. I hope this will make it easier for you to make an informed decision on switching to high-speed Internet phone service.

Let’s start with some definitions

Very often you’ll see Internet phone service referred to by an acronym: VoIP. What this stands for is "voice over Internet protocol."

"Protocol" is another word for "rules." So Internet protocols are the rules and technologies that make the Internet possible. It’s a collection of all the rules that everyone follows so that equipment from one vendor is able to communicate just fine with equipment from another vendor.

In brief, Internet protocol says that you take multiple data transmissions (like emails), break them into pieces (or "packets") and send them along multiple different lines simultaneously. The information is then reassembled at the end and brought to the receiver in the proper way so that it can be easily understood. This means more speed, efficiency, lower costs — and a tremendous amount of upside expansion capability.

Here’s how Internet protocol makes Internet phone service possible

In the old days, you were connected to the person you’re talking to buy a copper wire. Your conversation with this other person took up the entire wire — nobody else could use it. This is not very efficient. And as demand for phone service went up, capacity could not keep up with the demand. The phone companies literally could not string enough copper wire fast enough.

The solution? Send the voice messaging using Internet protocols — VoIP.

The corporations saw that it would be a good idea to try to get new customers for the networks they already owned; they could offer them high-speed Internet phone service that saved money on local and long-distance calls. Obviously, it wasn’t long before the local and regional phone companies began to provide this to their customers.

So that’s how it works.

Now let’s see if we can answer some questions that will help you make an informed decision about whether Internet phone services are for you.

Here’s how you can take advantage of Internet phone service

You have several options. For example, you can buy a package that combines phone, cable TV and high-speed Internet access. If this is offered in your area, you can often save money on the "package deal" when you compare all your present costs.

You can also contact your existing phone company to see if they offer Internet phone services.

A third option is to go with an independent Internet phone service company. There are many vendors out there, e.g., Skype, Packet8, and ViOP.com. And these are just a few of the popular Internet phone services out there. Be careful, however, because there’s been a shakeout in the market. Vonage and SunRocket are two companies that recently suffered setbacks and there may be more before the shakeout ends and consolidation takes over.

Will you need a special phone line?

Not necessarily; however you do need to have a cable or DSL Internet feed. And you will also want to have a special interface or adapter that goes between your phone and the Internet connection; otherwise you’ll be limited to making "PC-to-PC" or "PC-to-phone" calls. Once you’ve done that, you’re good to go as far as hardware is concerned.

Conclusion

So that’s what you need to know about switching from conventional phone service to high-speed Internet phone service. So don’t waste any time; the cost savings might be substantial. Call around as soon as possible to see who is offering this service in your local area.

For more info on Internet Phone Service, visit Ara Rubyan’s VoIP Solution at voip-solution.rubyan.com.