Since last year, VoIP equipment sales raised by 36% proving that people world wide acknowledge and welcome next generation technology.

VOIP is the technology that provides phone service using the broadband internet. Skype, the well known software which offers free calls via the internet, is using VoIP equipment. Yahoo and Google use the same technology to offer the same free PC to PC call service to its users.

The acceptance of this technology by big companies who cannot afford to offer bad services goes to show that the VoIP equipment delivers everything it promises and more.

Sony is coming up with a VoIP equipment first that is, a combination of USB handset/mouse, that the company says will be Skype certified shortly. The clamshell mouse flips open to become a VoIP phone for PC based phone services. Among its features there are:

* Hands free speaker phone
* The scroll wheel doubles as a volume controller
* The mouse uses a blue LED to alert incoming calls and it can also ring

VoIP technology has a lot of room to grow. It is a technology that has been around since about 1970 but only took off recently with the availability of broadband internet.

Even with their short time on the market VoIP has made a significant progress capturing the attention of large corporations due to its high class performance and quality. VoIP equipment and services are easy to learn and adapt to even if they are of the latest technology. When used in a residence you don't have to change your phone or number as VoIP will adapt everything to your system.

The internet can be used at the same time you are speaking on the phone as it does not interfere with the use of the internet. However since it is internet based connection be aware that if the internet connection fails so does your phone service. To be prepared for these occasions you should always have a cell phone something which one probably has more then a piece per household.

The internet failure interfering with the phone service is a main concern for businesses as they cannot afford to drop calls at the drop of the hat. The good news is the internet does not drop very often so you are basically on the safe side.

With plenty of room to grow, let's make space for tomorrow's technology and welcome VoIP into our lives.