What is VoIP?
VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) Telephony is the process of routing voice conversations over an Internet Protocol network, rather than through traditional circuit-switched telephone lines. The voice information is converted into digital data packets and then transmitted over an IP network, such as the internet, or a local area network. Hence, in other words, VoIP Internet Telephony is a method by which the internet can be used to carry voice information, and replace the need for a traditional telephone line.
One very interesting feature of VoIP is that a VoIP call can actually be made in three different ways. The simplest is PC-to-PC internet telephony, which involves two computer users talking to each other using microphones. This is essentially the same as regular instant messaging, except that the voice data is exchanged, rather than plain text. Many popular messaging platforms allow users to use this type of VoIP at no cost whatsoever, no matter how far away they are, www.skype.com is one such VoIP service.
Another way of using VoIP is by connecting your regular telephone to your computer or Internet connection via ATA (analog telephone adaptor). This is the most common method for using VoIP right now. Unlike PC-to-PC telephony, this technology usually does involve some cost, but it is negligible compared to the cost of using a regular phone line.
The third technique for using VoIP is through IP phones. IP phone uses an RJ-45 Ethernet connector instead of the standard RJ-11 phone connectors. It connects directly to your router and all the hardware and software is already built inside to handle your VoIP calls.