All You Need to Know About VoIP Protocol

VoIP protocol is not as new a technology as you may think; VoIP has been around for some time, the reason people are talking about it more now is because it was previously used mainly by businesses and not for personal use. VoIP is an acronym for Voice over Internet Protocol; this is a way of transforming analog audio waves into digital data. Simply put, the men in white coats have found a way for you, the consumer, to make telephone calls from your computer. The best part is it's free, well almost free.

Cheap and Easy

The reason that there has been so much excitement about VoIP protocol is that VoIP is seen as replacement for traditional landlines for the near future. There are a few major VoIP providers that have a monopoly of the market at the moment. These companies specialise in software based VoIP protocol, which is a relatively simple way of using VoIP.

Ask your teenager; they've probably been using some form of software-based VoIP right under your nose. Most instant messaging services double as VoIP protocol providers; basically you can make calls from computer to computer for free. The software takes only a few minutes to download (and again, it's free) and once you've got speakers and a microphone, you're all set to start using this technology.

Hardware based VoIP protocol on the other hand employs a device called an Analog Telephone Adaptor (ATA) that attunes your regular phone with a VoIP system. Some major phone companies are beginning to catch on to the idea of VoIP and offer packages with a free ATA. So what if you want to call someone with your new VoIP protocol system and they don't have VoIP? You are able to do this and the call rates are still a lot cheaper than in if you were to make the call from a landline.

The FCC and VoIP

The FCC has realised that VoIP is on its way to revolutionising communication and has stepped in to try and regulate VoIP. One aspect of VoIP that the FCC has expressed concern about is that not all VoIP providers allow you to connect directly to emergency services. The FCC is working to make this compulsory for all VoIP providers as well as ensuring that the E-911 service that determines a person's exact location when placing a 911 call is available. Despite this particular drawback; VoIP is well on its way to shaking up communication with its affordable rates for anyone who has an Internet connection.

Recommended Reading

1. Understanding Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP)

With the introduction of VoIP, you can use the internet to make telephone calls instead of relying on a separate...