Does Voice Over IP Telephony Spell the End for Traditional Telephones?

Just What is Voice Over IP Telephony?

Voice over Internet Telephony is technology that means you can hold telephone calls over the Internet or an IP network. It eliminates the need for having separate lines for your Internet connection and dedicated voice transfer lines. There are many advantages to VoIP but because it is still an advancing technology you need to shop around to find the best deal. No cumbersome circuit switching is required and there is no depletion in the bandwidth associated with normal dual line systems. VoIP protocol means that voice data is only sent over the network when it needs to be, freeing up that bandwidth when you aren't making 'calls'.

What are the Advantages of VoIP.

Voice over Internet Telephony isn't widely used in office networks, let alone in the home, however if you make international phone calls then you are probably being routed through IP infrastructure because of the lower costs of calls. What this does mean, though, is that the infrastructure is quite obviously already in place and anyone who chooses can do so easily. This means that you can 'call' friends, family or associates using your own VoIP without the need for them to have the same technology installed.

The costs are phone calls that are reduced dramatically by using VoIP and once the infrastructure is in place there are usually little or no additional infrastructure charges required making it a cost effective and affordable telephony solution.

Because VoIP is a new technology you get the usual advantages of employing a new technology; increased technological advances and new technologies are employed meaning you get a state of the art system. Telecommunications providers have been regularly using IP networks to transfer voice data and so most of the teething problems have been thoroughly investigated and ironed out and all the advancements made have been integrated into a system you can have installed in your home, office or business.

You don't necessarily have to transmit your calls over the Internet, and for more secure calls you can use private IP networks. For this reason many large businesses already have IP systems in place making inter-business calls much cheaper.

Electronic numbering makes it possible to dial traditional E 164 phone numbers connected entirely by your Internet connection. This means that you won't face any call charges whatsoever, and all you will have to pay will be the cost of your Internet connection.

Is VoIP available for me to use now?

Companies like Vonage, VoicePulse and Packet8 are already offering flat monthly fees for their VoIP services meaning you can call anywhere in the country (sometimes even to other selected countries around the world) and only ever pay one flat monthly fee.

Vonage offer a service for $24.99 a month that allows you to call anywhere in the US or Canada. They also offer similar plans for small businesses.

Are there any disadvantages to VoIP?

VoIP, as a technology, is still in it's infancy and new developments are being found every day. However, there are limitations to the service and the technology which need to be addresses before it can become a complete replacement for your standard phone line.

Because the Internet knows no geographic boundaries it means that, for example, calling the emergency services would not necessarily put you through to your local emergency dispatch centre.

In addition, you can't send or receive faxes and you can't route traditional modems, alarm systems or satellite systems through your VoIP connection, because they require access to a voice grade phone line. For the moment VoIP is a compliment to your traditional phone line, rather than a replacement, until these problems can be ironed out.

Summary

The advent of the Internet and improved telephone technology has seen the introduction of VoIP. It means you can make phone calls through your broadband connection; this in turn means that for a set monthly fee you can call anywhere in your country and selected international countries for as long as required and only pay one flat monthly fee.

The advantages of VoIP are still significant for homes and business users alike. Big businesses are already saving substantial money by installing IP networks and using VoIP protocol to transfer voice data. This essentially makes the calls themselves free, only having to pay for the Internet connection and the monthly VoIP fee.

VoIP looks like it's here to stay. As the technology rolls out, it's impact can only become greater.

© 2005 Nick Carter

Nick Carter is editor for http://www.voice-over-ip-insider.com, a key web resource for VOIP information.

---

World On IP Community versus Telecoms Monopoly

World on IP community versus the TELECOMS' monopoly or a... Read More

Take Advantage of Internet Phone Calls (VOIP)

Voice Over IP (VOIP) is a relatively new technology. Voice... Read More

Text To Speech - Its Simple

Looking for a natural voice speech engine? Curious about what... Read More

Needless HIGH RISK Exposure For Business Using Computer Phones

The Facts? Computer phones (VoIP) offer the most optimal means... Read More

Lower Videophone Prices Allow Individuals Accessibility

VoIP service providers are now offering videophone at the lowest... Read More

Is VoIP Good For The Home?

There is no doubt that you have heard about VoIP... Read More

The Single Most Important Thing to Know About Computer Phones (VoIP)

Over 90% of computer phones (VoIP) are not secure because... Read More

VoIP (Computer Phone) Warning

Warning! Warning! Warning!Beware of VoIP internet service providers that operate... Read More

VoIP 101: Voice over IP for Beginners

For those who have never heard about the potential of... Read More

Use your Computer to make Cheap Long-Distance Telephone Calls

What is 'VoIP'?Simply put, VoIP refers to the carriage of... Read More

Security, Stability, and Interoperability Issues on VoIP Implementation

Now we have accepted that VoIP is no longer just... Read More

Voice over IP Offers Your Business an Inexpensive Alternative To Toll Free Numbers

New businesses can now let their customers contact them for... Read More

VoIP and 911 Warning

Be leery of your VoIP phone system in case of... Read More

Alarm Systems & VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) Phone Lines

An astounding and unexpected number of people are dropping their... Read More

How VoIP Will Affect Every Household and Business in the World

Seattle venture capitalist, Greg Gottesman, calls it "?one of the... Read More

6 Important Things You Should Consider When You Are Selecting A VoIP Provider

The following are 6 very important factors to consider when... Read More

Voip Providers Review--- Choose The Best One For Your Business

Making phone calls applying a broadband Internet connection,known as VoIP... Read More

The Lowdown on VoIP

It seems like technology is headed for a massive telephone... Read More

VOIP

This article contains the excellent information about the Voice Over... Read More

VOIP Questions and Answers

Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP, has grown in popularity... Read More

What Is VoIP and How Does It Work

IntroductionThe way we make phone calls is changing. In fact... Read More

Finally Voip Worth a Look!

Everyone can Benefit from this Technology! Voip will be next... Read More

Why Over 90% of VoIP Services Are Vulnerable to Attack

John Ashcroft, Attorney General, in remarks at the High Technology... Read More

Get a ?Virtual Phone Number? - Eliminate Long Distance Charges with VoIP Phone Service

There's a revolution brewing in the telephone industry. But it's... Read More

What Do You Know About VoIP?

What is VoIPVoIP is an acronym for voice over internet... Read More

How VoIP Works -- Busting Out of Long Distance Rates

VoIP is the newest advancement in audio communications technology, and... Read More

VoIP: Finally Worth a Look

Dear Internet Friends, Hundreds of thousands of consumers collectively save... Read More

What?s Your IQ on Basic PC Phone (VoIP) Knowledge

Short T/F quiz1. T / F You can save a... Read More

Consumer Review on CallWave Call Alert Service

Missing phone calls while you are online?Are you thinking of... Read More

How Much Bandwidth is Required for VoIP Phones?

A long-standing question for potential VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)... Read More

Things You Should Consider When Selecting a VoIP Provider

The following are very important factors to consider when you... Read More

Will the Bell System Survive? A Massive Transfer of Wealth from Bell to VoIP is Underway

Will the Bell System Survive? A Massive Transfer of Wealth... Read More

Try VoIP for Free - No Commitment, No Hardware

Try VoIP Before BuyingSo you like the concept of 'cutting'... Read More