The telecommunications field is almost constantly in a state of rapid change and that is true today as VoIP technology continues to grow in both quality and popularity. VoIP actually stands for Voice over Internet Protocol, and it’s a way of transferring phone calls over the Internet to a distant computer or phone without the use of your local phone company.
A great way to try out VoIP technology is by using instant messaging programs like Yahoo Messenger, MSN Messenger, and AOL Messenger. All of these programs allow you to use a microphone and set of speakers connected to your computer to make free PC-to-PC audio calls. For those instant messaging programs that also include video and allow more than two people to be connected at the same time, you can even make your own video conference over the Internet easily and cheaply thanks to VoIP technology.
All you have to do is download one of these programs mentioned above for free, install it on your computer and connect your microphone and speakers so you can test this technology and see if you like it or not. If you do, and you most likely will, you can sign up for a VoIP subscription plan with one of the major VoIP providers so you can take full advantage of all the features VoIP has to offer.
One of the great advantages of VoIP subscription plans is their minimal cost compared to local phone companies. When you start shopping for these plans, you’ll see a big difference in cost between them and what you pay now for your phone service, and that’s arguably the most attractive feature of VoIP technology for most consumers.
However, there are some drawbacks to using VoIP for phone communications that you should also be aware of. First of all, you will most likely need a high-speed Internet connection to get the best results when using a VoIP application or program. It can be done over a dial-up connection, but the results can be very spotty and inconsistent, sometimes even downright frustrating. However, on a high-speed connection, you should experience voice quality that rivals that of landlines very closely.
Another consideration is that it can be difficult to call 911 using a VoIP program if you don’t know where you are. 911 operators can’t trace calls originating from an IP phone or a computer, so there would be no way to locate the caller if they couldn’t pinpoint exactly where they were. However, VoIP providers are currently working on this problem and hope to have a solution soon.
As you can see, there are pros and cons to using VoIP technology for your phone communications. By knowing both the pros and cons, you should be able to make an informed decision about whether or not VoIP will work for you.