What is VoIP?

What is VoIP?

VoIP, or Voice over Internet Protocol, is a technology that allows voice information to be delivered over the Internet, using the same communications protocol as that used for data transfer.

Unlike traditional telephone networks – such as the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) – which involve circuit switching, in a telephone exchange, to establish a connection, VoIP employs packet switching.

Voice information is divided up into discrete data packets that, along with identifying information, are transmitted across the Internet and reassembled at the receiving end. The voice data is compressed for transmission, such that VoIP uses just 10% of the bandwidth required for a traditional telephone call, making it more efficient and cost-effective.

VoIP Features, Benefits & Considerations

VoIP services in the United Kingdom are available in a number of different forms. PC to PC services, such as Skype, allow VoIP calls to be made – via a headset, and internal, or external, microphone – using a software utility, often provided free of charge by a VoIP service provider. VoIP cordless phones – either cordless phones fitted with an adaptor, or truly IP enabled cordless phones – are other possibilities.

One of the main advantages of VoIP over traditional telephone systems is the reduction in cost, both in terms of the cost of calls themselves and line rental. Savings of between 30% and 50% are typically possible. VoIP calls between cordless phones that share a network – a VPN, or Virtual Private Network, within a company, for example – are free of charge, and long distance national, or international, calls can typically be made for just the cost of a local call.

Packet switching technology has also improved significantly in recent years, such that the quality of VoIP telephone calls is at least as good as land line, or mobile, telephone calls. A high speed, broadband Internet connection is preferable for VoIP, but a lower speed broadband connection – less than 1Mb, or so – an ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) connection, or even a dial-up connection, may be perfectly adequate, albeit with slight deterioration in the quality of the call.

VoIP can be implemented on existing Ethernet cabling, so no separate telephoning cabling is required, and, because a VoIP exchange is software, rather than hardware, based it is easier to maintain. VoIP also allows documents to be attached to voice messages, and can be used to provide instant interaction with customer service personnel, etc. in a VoIP-enabled company, by clicking a button on the corporate website.

Portability, of course, is another benefit of VoIP cordless phones. VoIP cordless phones – sometimes known as hard phones – communicate directly with VoIP servers, gateways and other VoIP cordless phones via an Ethernet port, and so can be used independently, without a PC or software, anywhere that Internet connection is available.

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