What is VoIP?

VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol. 

As the term says VoIP is the transmission of voice communication through IP packets and, therefore, through the Internet. VoIP can use accelerating hardware to achieve this purpose and can also be used in a PC environment.

How does VoIP work?

Early on it was determined that it was possible to send a voice signal to a remote destination digitally, as well as via analog. To do that, we have to digitize it with an ADC (analog to digital converter), transmit it, and at the end transform it again in analog format with DAC (digital to analog converter) to use it. 

This is basically the way VoIP works, sending voice information in digital form in discrete packets rather than in the traditional circuit-committed protocols of the public switched telephone network (PSTN). A major advantage of VoIP and Internet telephony is that it avoids the tolls charged by ordinary telephone service.

H323 - Expanded Info

The H.323 standard provides a foundation for audio, video, and data communications across IP-based networks, including the Internet. H.323 is an umbrella recommendation from the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) that sets standards for multimedia communications over Local Area Networks (LANs) that do not provide a guaranteed Quality of Service (QoS). These networks dominate today’s corporate desktops and include packet-switched TCP/IP and IPX over Ethernet, Fast Ethernet and Token Ring network technologies. Therefore, the H.323 standards are important building blocks for a broad new range of collaborative, LAN-based applications for multimedia communications. It includes parts of H.225.0 - RAS, Q.931, H.245 RTP/RTCP and audio/video codecs, such as the audio codecs (G.711, G.723.1, G.728, etc.) and video codecs (H.261, H.263) that compress and decompress media streams.

SIP to SIP

SIP is the Voice over IP (VoIP) standard communication protocol. SIP enables two or more people to make phone calls to each other using the Internet to carry the call.

SIP to SIP calls can be made using SIP hardware or SIP software, either way you need an internet connection.
If using SIP software then it pretty much becomes Computer to Computer connections and the same rules apply, this can be extended to use Computer to Phone connections but will cost as shown above.
If using SIP hardware phones then all calls to other SIP hardware phone users are free. This is especially useful for global businesses who can set up each office with SIP phones. Communication anywhere in the world then becomes free with the familiarity of using a phone.
The use of your traditional phone can also be used with the use of a SIP adapter, negating the need to replace handsets.


How Good Is The Call Quality? 

Technology advances in IP telephony transportation have made Internet calling as good or better than normal PSTN connections. This is mostly true for high speed Broadband connections, whereas dial up services have some way to go before delivering the quality of PSTN calling.

Can I use High Speed Or Dial Up Connections? 

We recommend that you only use VoIP services if you have a high speed Broadband Internet connection since the quality of the calls is only as good as your connection speed. Tests of VoIP using dial up services have produced dropped calls, call lagging, and other call quality issues.

Do I need a broadband internet connection?

Technically no but to get the best out of VoIP then yes you do. 
Whilst VoIP services will work on dial up modem connections as low as 33k you will experience a poorer quality of service when compared to broadband. The chances are that if you are still using a 33k modem then the rest of your PC is just as antiquated so VoIP won't work anyway. If you must (or simply havn't got a choice) then use a 56k modem (cheap as chips nowadays) 
VoIP will work on cable and ADSL broadband connections.

What are some of the advantages of using VoIP Service?

The main advantage of VoIP services is a reduction call charges compared to traditional telephone services. VoIP - is telephony in a data network using Internet Protocol (IP), thus requires only one network - data network. Besides VoIP services provide new, additional services, such as caller ID, call forwarding, voice mail, call hold, and many others. It should be noted as well, and a higher quality of communication provided by VoIP. Mobility is also big advantage VoIP - having a broadband internet connection and a VoIP adapter you can make calls without incurring additional costs associated with the connection to the traditional phone lines.

I have 2 or more offices in different locations, Can I link them using VOIP?

Yes, you can do more than that. You can do a simple setup with a point to point Line or you can go further and setup a PBX with Extensions at every end, an IVR forwarding calls according depending on conditional clauses, have extensions at home, voice mail and much more at a minimum cost. You can eWhat is the difference between a SoftPhone, an ATA, and an IP Phone?
A SoftPhone, is a program that runs in your computer that allows you to use a VSP service using your speakers and microphone.
An ATA (Analogue Telephone Adaptor), is a box that connects to your router and therefore to your internet connection where you can plug any standard phone o make the calls
An IP Phone, looks like a telephone but instead of plugging to the PSTN (regular phone network) it gets connected to your router.

What is a PBX and what is the difference with a VoIP PBX?

A PBX is commonly known as Commander Systems and allows you to share the telephone lines among the office users by having extensions.
A VoIP PBX does the same but it also takes the advantage of the VoIP technology allowing you to have hundred of advance, efficient and professional features as well as to connect extensions in any place around the globe.
In brief: It lets you have all the benefits of a PBX that only an international corporation could afford at SOHO Budgets, at the same time that reduces your communication costs enormously.
ven have incoming lines in different cities pointing to your PBX