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	<title>VoipArticle.com &#187; Voip Articles</title>
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		<title>New VoIP technology offered at LasVegas Net</title>
		<link>http://www.voiparticle.com/new-voip-technology-offered-at-lasvegas-net/</link>
		<comments>http://www.voiparticle.com/new-voip-technology-offered-at-lasvegas-net/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 13 Feb 2010 13:11:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>The Editor</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Voip Articles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[analog telephone]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[analog telephones]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[area codes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[data packets]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[electronic signals]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[networked world]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[physical location]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[priority status]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[private networks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[public telephone network]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[small business owners]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[telephony networks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[traditional telephones]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[voice mail]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[voice over internet]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[voice over internet protocol]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[voice over internet protocol voip]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[voice over ip]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[voice packets]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[voip technology]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.voiparticle.com/new-voip-technology-offered-at-lasvegas-net/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[

Kimberly Freeman<br /><br />

Las Vegas, NV May 11, 2005 Lasvegas.net now introduces a voice over internet protocol (VoIP) for your home or office.<br /><br />VoIP is the ability to convert voice or fax calls into data packets for transmission over...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Kimberly Freeman</p>
<p>Las Vegas, NV May 11, 2005 Lasvegas.net now introduces a voice over internet protocol (VoIP) for your home or office.</p>
<p>VoIP is the ability to convert voice or fax calls into data packets for transmission over the Internet or other IP-based networks. Unlike traditional phone calls, where the conversation is converted into electronic signals that traverse an elaborate network of switches, in a dedicated circuit that lasts the duration of a call. VoIP works by converting the conversation into packets of data that travel over the Internet or private networks, just like e-mails or Web pages, though voice packets get priority status. The packets get reassembled and converted to sound on the other end of the call.</p>
<p>Voice over IP makes long distance calls cheaper by removing some of the access charges required for use of the public telephone network. A user&#8217;s physical location also becomes irrelevant; Las Vegas lets people choose their area code and possess multiple area codes in different cities that all ring to the same phone. VoIP also enables Las Vegas&#8217;s advanced features &#8212; like checking voice mail from a Web page or programming call-forwarding through a web tool.</p>
<p>Plans start at $14.99 for home based, and $39.99 for your business. When you purchase a plan, you get the Las Vegas ATA (Analog Telephone Adaptor) free*. The Las Vegas ATA brings traditional telephones to the networked world. It is a handset-to-Ethernet adaptor that interfaces regular analog telephones with IP-based telephony networks. </p>
<p>According to an article released by Yahoo News citing In-Stat on Tuesday, May 3rd, 2005 in this article: <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/nf/20050503/tc_nf/34036,">http://news.yahoo.com/s/nf/20050503/tc_nf/34036,</a> the period in which consumers and small business owners will switch to VoIP will be from 2005-2009. They also say that the migration to VoIP will have it&#8217;s highest peak somewhere from 2010-2014. Las Vegas residents can take advantage of using new technology through VoIP instead of traditional phones calls.</p>
<p>Contact Information:<br />For VoIP information: https://lasvegas.nuvio.com/index02.php<br />Las Vegas Internet Services: <a href="http://www.lasvegas.net">http://www.lasvegas.net</a></p>
<p>
<p> About the Author </p>
<p>Search Engine Specialist at <a href="http://www.lasvegas.net">http://www.lasvegas.net</a></p>
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		<item>
		<title>Security Stability and Interoperability Issues on VoIP Implementation</title>
		<link>http://www.voiparticle.com/security-stability-and-interoperability-issues-on-voip-implementation/</link>
		<comments>http://www.voiparticle.com/security-stability-and-interoperability-issues-on-voip-implementation/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 15 Jan 2010 18:49:06 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>The Editor</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Voip Articles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[al falaq]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[business aspects]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[business benefits]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[computer configurations]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cost efficiency]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[defense in depth]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[denial of service]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[denial of service dos]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[depth security]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[interoperability issues]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ip data networks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[malicious activities]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[multimedia technology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[port scanning]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[security risks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[toll fraud]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[traditional communication]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[virtual operations]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[voip networks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[voip service]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.voiparticle.com/security-stability-and-interoperability-issues-on-voip-implementation/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[

Al Falaq Arsendatama<br /><br />

Now we have accepted that VoIP is no longer just a phone service, it has become feature rich as it merges with computer configurations. The VoIP's existence has changed considerably...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Al Falaq Arsendatama</p>
<p>Now we have accepted that VoIP is no longer just a phone service, it has become feature rich as it merges with computer configurations. The VoIP&#8217;s existence has changed considerably over the last few years, coupled with the availability of broadband connection to the Internet, plus leaps in multimedia technology in which virtual operations with remote sites becomes more enhanced, makes VoIP service a viable alternative to traditional communication offerings.</p>
<p>Cost savings is not the only driving force for VoIP implementations, enterprises have to consider some business aspects that VoIP can bring about. VoIP creates potentials for applications that could not have been done before. Collaboration, integration, and interactivity between employees and applications are one of the several business benefits that enterprises can derive from VoIP adoption. Nevertheless, amid euphoria of VoIP technology, there are three important aspects to look at before a company goes VoIP. In the following paragraphs I will summarize the aspect of security, stability, and interoperability that play a key role in the successful implementation of VoIP.</p>
<p><b>1. Security</b></p>
<p>VoIP implementations may expose new security risks and challenges that somehow become greater concern than quality and cost-efficiency among vendors and users. VoIP networks are vulnerable to all the same security risks as traditional IP data networks, including: 
<ul> 
<li> Denial of Service (DoS), viruses, worms, </li>
<p> 
<li>Toll fraud and unauthorized access, </li>
<p> 
<li>Spoofing, and port scanning. </li>
<p></ul>
<p>It is recommended that organizations should adopt a layered, defense-in-depth security strategy to address the issue with the increasing proliferation of new Internet-borne attacks and malicious activities in recent years. In this architecture, the network is segmented into secure zones protected by layers of firewall, intrusion prevention, and other security services. This strategy allows the organizations to logically split and secure voice and data networks in front of individual voice and data components and between interactive points in the network.</p>
<p><b>2. Stability</b></p>
<p>One of the main issues of VoIP is the amount of bandwidth required for each call. There must be adequate bandwidth reserved and the quality of the link must be well maintained throughout each call to ensure the users are not affected. As the very nature of VoIP call is real-time, any disruption during the call would be easily noticeable and unacceptable. The two issues that enterprises usually have to deal with here are bandwidth and quality of service (QoS).</p>
<p>VoIP calls need a data transmission speed of 64kb/s to produce the quality of voice comparable to that of a normal telephone call. That 64kb/s channel needs to remain open and unaffected for the duration of the call. Theoretically, VoIP installations would not allow such a huge bandwidth to be allocated for VoIP alone. Therefore, there needs to be a compression taking place to compact the voice data into a considerable size before it gets transmitted over a packet switching network. G.723 codec that is incorporated in VoIP standard protocol H.232 can take a 64kb/s stream of data and squash it down to a mere 5.5kb/s or so. Generally, for VoIP to work reliably over WAN links, there has to be low jitter, low packet loss, a considerably high-speed connection between the endpoints, and less than 200ms delay.</p>
<p><b>3. Interoperability</b></p>
<p>Compatibility between VoIP equipment from different vendors is a very important aspect to boost the use of VoIP products. Without standardized quality of service mechanisms businesses would need to buy all the equipment and the QoS server from the same manufacturer. The VoIP world seems to be divided between many vendors with reluctance to establish interoperability and some who are trying to be end-to-end supplier but at the same time worried about interoperability. The protocols used in VoIP communication are still considered fairly complex in comparison to most of the other protocols involved in Internet applications. SIP (Session Initiation Protocol &#8211; a signaling protocol for Internet conferencing, telephony, events notification, and instant messaging), that is regarded as simple and elegant the other protocols, is still not efficient.</p>
<p>On the bright side, however, SIP is approaching status as an IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force) standard, after several years of work. With the recent version, it has achieved a greater amount of stability and changes are becoming smaller and smaller. Phone switch companies such as Nortel have recently begun supporting SIP, and now the manufacturers of handsets and related devices will soon ramp up their support. Motorola, Avaya, and Proxim have made collaboration on the creation and deployment of IP telephony solutions that will deliver new extents of communication mobility and network connectivity.</p>
<p>With these three VoIP aspects covered, businesses will be able to maximize their investment by applying it as the backbone of internal communication such as phone conversation, videoconferencing, instant messaging, faxing, etc. Another area that will widely make use of VoIP is call centers, in which Web contacts, virtual operations with outsourcers overseas, and remote sites, such as home agents, all could improve the customer experience. New VoIP applications that we have not thought about may also come into existence as the services generates more business and profits for companies.
<p> About the Author </p>
<p>Al Falaq Arsendatama is web entrepreneur specializing in technology and finance.<br /> Please visit <a href="http://www.satellitetv-choice.com">DirecTV and Dish Network Comparison</a> for free guide on selecting a satellite TV network.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<item>
		<title>The Many Advantages Of VoIP</title>
		<link>http://www.voiparticle.com/the-many-advantages-of-voip/</link>
		<comments>http://www.voiparticle.com/the-many-advantages-of-voip/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 16 Dec 2009 11:49:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>The Editor</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Voip Articles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bandwagon]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[business improvements]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[business scene]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cheaper phone calls]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[data networks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[exa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[impossible dream]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[new business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[new technology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[no doubt]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[obstacles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[possibilities]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[revenue opportunities]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[telephone bill]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[translation services]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[translators]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[voice over internet]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[voice over internet protocol]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[voip technology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[voip voice over internet protocol]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.voiparticle.com/the-many-advantages-of-voip/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[

Andrew McNaught<br /><br />

<p>A rapidly increasing number of businesses of all sizes are jumping into the VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) bandwagon. This is hardly surprising when you consider the numerous revolutionary advantages and benefits that VOIP ...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Andrew McNaught</p>
<p>A rapidly increasing number of businesses of all sizes are jumping into the VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) bandwagon. This is hardly surprising when you consider the numerous revolutionary advantages and benefits that VOIP has brought to the business scene.</p>
<p>Probably the most obvious is cheaper phone calls. By utilizing their existing data networks, businesses can now talk all over the world to field offices, clients, potential clients and anybody they need to talk to.</p>
<p>Actually most of the focus has been on the costs savings that VOIP has brought to businesses all over the world. And while those costs savings are no doubt enormous the business improvements and new revenue opportunities that have suddenly and dramatically been opened up far outweigh the savings that this wonderful new technology has brought about.</p>
<p>The fact that VOIP has made it extremely easy to communicate with remote or home workers has opened up an amazing number of brand new business and revenue generating possibilities. The fact that workers and consultants are no longer hindered by geographical reach or obstacles related to their location has forever changed the way business is done.</p>
<p>VOIP has suddenly made businesses that were previously not viable, extremely viable. Just to give one example, the Internet has created a huge new market for translation services. However the main problem has been the fact that low cost translation services were an impossible dream. The regular telephone contact with your translators based all over the world, on its&#8217; own meant a very high regular telephone bill. The VOIP technology has not only opened up the market for more translators and therefore more competitive rates, but it has also swiftly and powerfully wiped out the telephone charges while allowing for more frequent and regular telephone contact and consultation.</p>
<p>This is but one instance, there are numerous other examples.</p>
<p></p>
<p style="background-color: #ffffff; width: 100%; padding: 0px;" class="text"><b>About the Author</b>:</p>
<p> Andrew McNaught runs the website <a href="http://www.first-voip.com" title="http://www.first-voip.com" target="_blank">http://www.first-voip.com</a> which aims to provide a knowledgebase for this emerging technology.</p>
<p>
 <span class="text"><a href="http://www.isnare.com">This article is distributed by: www.iSnare.com</a></span></p>
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		<item>
		<title>The Skype Approach to VoIP A review of Skype</title>
		<link>http://www.voiparticle.com/the-skype-approach-to-voip-a-review-of-skype/</link>
		<comments>http://www.voiparticle.com/the-skype-approach-to-voip-a-review-of-skype/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:08:07 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>The Editor</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Voip Articles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[economic class]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[euro cent]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[free calls over the internet]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hamesh]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mac linux]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[marketability]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pc microphone]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[permeation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[personal move]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[quality voice]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[skypein]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[skypeout]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[time telephone]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[usb headset]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[virtual phone]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[voice conversation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[voice over internet]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[vonage]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.voiparticle.com/the-skype-approach-to-voip-a-review-of-skype/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[

Hamesh Brown<br /><br />

With internet usage reaching almost every country, and economic
class, and with its permeation throughout the western world,
applications designed to harness its potential in ever more
practical ways are constantly ...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Hamesh Brown</p>
<p>With internet usage reaching almost every country, and economic<br />
class, and with its permeation throughout the western world,<br />
applications designed to harness its potential in ever more<br />
practical ways are constantly arising. One such application is<br />
Voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP), which continues to<br />
challenge its own limitations. There are a few leading players<br />
who are jostling for supremacy, including Yahoo! Messenger, MSN<br />
Messenger, Skype, and Vonage. </p>
<p><BR><BR> Recently, there have been many converts to Skype, including<br />
this reviewer. There are several factors that have influenced my<br />
own personal move, but my primary motivations were innovation,<br />
quality, and marketability. VoIP has always been an application<br />
that is easily marketable, and Skype has added innovative<br />
features that are quality-rich: </p>
<p><BR><BR>* SkypeOut, where you can use your computer to call ordinary<br />
phone numbers all over the world. The global SkypeOut rate is<br />
currently 1.7 Euro Cent (about 2 US cents or 1.1 pence) per<br />
minute to more than 20 countries. </p>
<p><BR><BR>* SkypeIn, which is a virtual phone number your friends can<br />
call. This is in beta testing at the time of writing this<br />
review, but the 12-month subscription is available for ? 30 and<br />
3 months for ? 10. </p>
<p><BR><BR> * Skype Voicemail, which lets you redirect calls to your<br />
voicemail, is available at ? 5 for 3 months or ? 15 for the<br />
year. </p>
<p><BR><BR> However, the most widespread application of Skype is PC-to-PC<br />
calls. Any user can make free calls over the Internet to anyone<br />
else who also has Skype. It is a simple wizard-based process to<br />
download and use the application, and works via your broadband<br />
connection with operating systems based on Microsoft Windows,<br />
Mac, Linux, and Pocket PCs. All you need is a PC microphone and<br />
speakers or a basic USB headset, and what you get is a<br />
real-time, telephone-quality voice conversation with any PC<br />
end-user in the world. I found the downloading to be extremely<br />
simple and straightforward and imagine that anyone, no matter<br />
your computer fluency will find it easy as well.</p>
<p><BR><BR> In addition to its ease of setup, the features of Skype are<br />
really impressive. There is a facility to search the Skype<br />
database, so that you are able to build a list of contacts. We<br />
have used Skype for Windows 1.4 for a PC-to-PC conversation<br />
between Los Angeles and Mumbai (India), and there was no<br />
recorded break in the half-hour call. The clarity was definitely<br />
on par with a normal telephone, perhaps even better, with no<br />
noticeable time lag. On subsequent calls between these<br />
destinations and other US cities including Chicago, the quality<br />
continues to amaze us, and the fact that Skype works in most<br />
environments, irrespective of firewalls or NAT, widens its<br />
reach. </p>
<p><BR><BR> So, what&#8217;s the downside? A comparative analysis will help<br />
clarify the situation. For a start, Skype does not offer as many<br />
calling features as other service providers like Vonage. Then,<br />
there have been question marks about the technical/customer<br />
support offered by Skype. Another point where Skype loses out is<br />
the quality of the SkypeOut package, where the calls made to<br />
landlines are of inconsistent quality. One hopes that Skype can<br />
add video chat to its repertoire in the near future, which will<br />
place Skype on an equal standing with other free VoIP providers<br />
like Yahoo! Messenger and MSN Messenger, which already have<br />
video capabilities. Skype is undoubtedly ahead of both MSN and<br />
Yahoo in terms of voice quality and the real-time conversation<br />
experience. On the other side of the spectrum, Vonage offers<br />
feature-rich services and better customer service, although all<br />
this comes at a price. </p>
<p><BR><BR> My Overall Assessment: Vonage is a better option than Skype for<br />
traditional telephone users because Skype is totally<br />
computer-dependent and caters to consumers who are &#8220;living out<br />
of their computers.&#8221; </p>
<p><BR><BR> The future has a lot to offer, and undoubtedly Skype will move<br />
forward in its evolutionary process, and hopefully improve<br />
SkypeOut and emerge successfully out of beta testing for<br />
SkypeIn. However, for the moment, Skype is arguably the best<br />
option for free PC-to-PC calls. Skype says that the &#8220;current<br />
focus is to make the best voice-application on the<br />
planet&#8221;&#8211;judging from user feedback around the world, Skype has<br />
already gone a long distance towards that objective.</p>
<p><BR><BR>About the author:<BR><BR><br />
Hamesh Brown enjoys writing about VoIP. For more information,<br />
see this <a<br />
href="http://www.voipreviewsonline.com/2005/10/skype_review_1.htm<br />
l">Skype review</a>.</p>
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		<title>VoIP Basic Assumptions</title>
		<link>http://www.voiparticle.com/voip-basic-assumptions/</link>
		<comments>http://www.voiparticle.com/voip-basic-assumptions/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 19 Oct 2009 09:37:07 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>The Editor</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Voip Articles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[basic assumptions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[broadband connection]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[broadband internet connection]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[conversations]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cordless phone]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[dsl]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[e911]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[expectation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fax machines]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[interference]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[isp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[phone jacks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[phone service]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pots]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pros and cons]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[router]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ups]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ups system]]></category>
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		<description><![CDATA[

FullService Broadband Provider<br /><br />

I thought I'd outline some of the basics of VoIP. I use this
service myself and have sold VoIP services to my customers. What
I didn't understand until last night is how much I assume. You
see my business is mostly we...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>FullService Broadband Provider</p>
<p>I thought I&#8217;d outline some of the basics of VoIP. I use this<br />
service myself and have sold VoIP services to my customers. What<br />
I didn&#8217;t understand until last night is how much I assume. You<br />
see my business is mostly web based so my customers read up on<br />
VoIP and have a general understanding of the technology before<br />
making a purchase. </p>
<p><BR><BR>What I came across in my conversations last night was that some<br />
people attracted purely by the cost really don&#8217;t understand what<br />
the trade off&#8217;s are, what is required and their level of<br />
expectation is, in my humble opinion, to high. Now don&#8217;t get me<br />
wrong, I&#8217;m a huge fan of VoIP. However, I understand what&#8217;s<br />
involved, how to hook it up as well as the pros and cons of<br />
using such a service. For me the cost factor did weigh in when<br />
comparing the pros and cons to the cost savings. My level of<br />
expectation was brought inline with what VoIP can offer me. </p>
<p><BR><BR>Here are some basic assumptions I was guilty of:</p>
<p><BR><BR>1. When using your broadband internet connection for your<br />
computer and VoIP a router is necessary. 2. During a power loss<br />
the phone doesn&#8217;t work unless there is a UPS system in place. 3.<br />
ISP goes down, your phone line goes down. 4. Those phone jacks<br />
in the house don&#8217;t work with VoIP. 5. The phone base plugs into<br />
the VoIP converter/adapter box which then plugs into your<br />
router. If you want multiple phones in multiple rooms, you will<br />
need a cordless phone or cordless phone system. (Multiple<br />
handsets) 6. E911 is not automatic. You need to check<br />
availability 7. Fax machines may not work 8. There can be call<br />
interference (echo). Voice quality is good, but not yet as<br />
reliable as POTS lines. </p>
<p><BR><BR>Naked DSL or DSL without phone service is not widely available.<br />
As such, if your broadband connection is via DSL you may not be<br />
able to use VoIP as your primary phone service. Simply put, if<br />
your goal is to switch to VoIP and then cancel your existing<br />
phone service, you may loose your broadband connection as well. </p>
<p><BR><BR>During my conversation last night their assumptions were much<br />
different than mine. Their assumptions were</p>
<p><BR><BR>1. Existing phone jacks will still work with VoIP 2. My corded<br />
phone will still work during a power outage just like they do<br />
now. 3. I can send/receive faxes without any issue 4. I can plug<br />
my VoIP into any room I want 5. 911 service is automatic.<br />
Everyone has this. 6. The quality of calls is as good if not<br />
better than POTS lines because after all it&#8217;s coming through the<br />
internet right? 7. I don&#8217;t need any extra equipment &#8211; it&#8217;s just<br />
a phone.</p>
<p><BR><BR>After our discussion they were more educated in what VoIP can<br />
and cannot provide for them. In the end they choose not to get<br />
VoIP service and that&#8217;s OK. A bundled POTS package was more to<br />
their liking and frankly fit them much better than VoIP would<br />
have. </p>
<p><BR><BR>Yes, I am a fan of VoIP and yes I believe this technology is<br />
here to stay. Having said that, I do not think VoIP is for<br />
everyone. Some consider routers, cordless phone(s), checking 911<br />
availability, etc. to be a hassle. They just want to use their<br />
existing phone and achieve the &#8216;exact&#8217; same results. Well, VoIP<br />
is almost there, but still has a way to go. If the cost savings<br />
can outweigh your own pros and cons by all means go for it. If<br />
not, wait, watch and read up some more.</p>
<p><BR><BR>Ready to give it a go? Good for you, (hope to see you at our web<br />
site). Not yet ready? That&#8217;s OK too. (Still hope to see you at<br />
our web site for possible cost savings on your traditional POTS<br />
line or cellular plan)</p>
<p><BR><BR>Ok, perhaps a shameless plug in that last part. Use our web<br />
site, use someone else&#8217;s, use a library, do whatever is<br />
necessary to educate yourself to make more informed purchasing<br />
decisions. It&#8217;s better to be a little prepared than completely<br />
disappointed especially with something you&#8217;ll use everyday such<br />
as your phone service.</p>
<p><BR><BR>About the author:<BR><BR><br />
<a<br />
href="http://www.fullservice-broadband-provider.com">FullService<br />
Broadband provider</a>. Our free service is possible through <a<br />
href="http://www.trighttech.com">Try Right Technology, Inc.</a><br />
We provide unbiased and informative information on broadband and<br />
communication products and services.</p>
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		<title>Choosing Among The Many Available VoIP Phone Services</title>
		<link>http://www.voiparticle.com/choosing-among-the-many-available-voip-phone-services/</link>
		<comments>http://www.voiparticle.com/choosing-among-the-many-available-voip-phone-services/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 20 Sep 2009 08:22:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>The Editor</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Voip Articles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[analog audio]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[business world]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[computer kind]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[data packets]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[free voip service]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[home computer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[home telephone]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ip phone]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[landline phone service]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[long distance companies]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mark woodcock]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[poor quality service]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[speakerphone]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[subscription price]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[telephone calls]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[voice communications]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[voice over internet]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[voice over internet protocol]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[voip phone service]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[voip phone services]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.voiparticle.com/choosing-among-the-many-available-voip-phone-services/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[

Mark Woodcock<br /><br />

Making telephone calls over the Internet is an exciting and cost
saving technology that is taking a position to completely change
voice communications forever. VOIP, or voice over Internet
protocol, is not a...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Mark Woodcock</p>
<p>Making telephone calls over the Internet is an exciting and cost<br />
saving technology that is taking a position to completely change<br />
voice communications forever. VOIP, or voice over Internet<br />
protocol, is not a brand new technology, having been around the<br />
business world for several years. But in the last few years, it<br />
has begun to catch on with consumers as a way to combine all<br />
forms of their communications in their homes (voice, email,<br />
etc.) and beat the high fees that long distance companies on<br />
their customers. There are many VOIP phone services around now<br />
that offer the moon and more in order to get business. It is<br />
important to carefully weigh the options so that you don&#8217;t go to<br />
the trouble of switching from traditional landline phone service<br />
to VOIP only to get stuck without phone service when the<br />
provider goes under, or to get poor quality service and features<br />
just to save money or get &#8220;free&#8221; VOIP service.</p>
<p><BR><BR>As a subscriber to VOIP phone services, there are a multitude of<br />
options available to you. You can opt to simply talk through a<br />
specially equipped microphone at your home computer, kind of<br />
like a speakerphone. You can use your traditional home telephone<br />
with the service, as long as you purchase a telephony adapter<br />
that will convert the analog audio into digital data packets.<br />
You can also choose to buy an IP phone that is ready to plug<br />
into your computer and use right away. You can even go wireless.<br />
Don&#8217;t be intimidated if you think that there is a lot of strange<br />
equipment to set up or that you will be uncomfortable talking on<br />
some &#8220;new&#8221; kind of phone. VOIP phone service is really no<br />
different than the phone service that you are used to, it&#8217;s just<br />
the wiring is different.</p>
<p><BR><BR>The low subscription price is first and foremost what is drawing<br />
consumers to VOIP phone services. Depending on the provider you<br />
choose, monthly charges range from $19.95 &#8211; $34.99 per month.<br />
This usually includes free domestic calls (including Canada) and<br />
very low International rates (often .03 &#8211; .04 per minute). And<br />
features that you might be accustomed to paying extra monthly<br />
fees for, such as Caller ID, Call Waiting, and Three-way Calling<br />
are often bundled in with the standard services and standard<br />
monthly charge. And don&#8217;t worry about calling people outside of<br />
the service. Most providers have the capabilities to let you do<br />
that. And, calling people within your service is often free of<br />
charge. There really seems like there is no reason not to switch<br />
to VOIP phone services, right?</p>
<p><BR><BR>There are some issues to think about before making the switch to<br />
VOIP phone service. You need to consider the provider you<br />
choose. Some services offer &#8220;free&#8221; VOIP service. This is often a<br />
gimmick, and what you are not paying for in phone service is<br />
apparent in the poor quality reception and limited calling<br />
capabilities that you will have to deal with. Some newer<br />
providers are often not established enough to handle high<br />
volumes of traffic, and often go under, leaving customers in the<br />
dark without any phone service at all. It is smart to choose a<br />
well-established provider with a good reputation for quality and<br />
customer service, in addition to competitive rates and features.<br />
Also, it might be a good idea to consider switching only one<br />
phone in your home to VOIP. That way, if your provider does go<br />
out of business, you have a backup phone line to communicate<br />
with.</p>
<p><BR><BR>Don&#8217;t be too concerned about losing your phone service or<br />
getting swindled by a fly-by-night VOIP phone service provider.<br />
There are several reputable providers on the market, and a<br />
testament to that is the continuing growth of the technology. In<br />
addition to the money you will save by subscribing to VOIP<br />
service, you will have the freedom of being able to travel with<br />
your phone and phone number and make calls anywhere you go. If<br />
you have access to a broadband Internet connection, you can make<br />
and receive calls by simply plugging in. This is ideal if you<br />
travel a lot for business. Besides the obvious money savings<br />
involved with VOIP phone service, it is a convenient technology<br />
that gives you a lot of options and freedom that traditional<br />
telephone services just can&#8217;t provide.</p>
<p><BR><BR>About the author:<BR><BR><br />
Learn the essential information for picking the Voip provider /<br />
services at <a<br />
href="http://www.voip-services-provider.com/voip-phone-services.h<br />
tml">Voip Phone Services</a></p>
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		<title>Voice Over IP VoIP Explained</title>
		<link>http://www.voiparticle.com/voice-over-ip-voip-explained/</link>
		<comments>http://www.voiparticle.com/voice-over-ip-voip-explained/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 21 Aug 2009 12:10:06 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>The Editor</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Voip Articles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[buzzword]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[circuit switches]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[de facto standard]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[digital information]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[digital voice]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[internet communications]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[internet infrastructure]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[internet protocol]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mail trucks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[rex ryan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sorters]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[switchboard operators]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[telephone handset]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ubiquitous nature]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[voice communications]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[voice conversations]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[voice over ip]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[voice over ip voip]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[voip phone]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[world pieces]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.voiparticle.com/voice-over-ip-voip-explained/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[

Rex Ryan<br /><br />

<p>Voice over IP, or VoIP had become a buzzword in the past few years because it represents a more cost effective model for transmitting voice conversations than the old circuit switched networks. The existing telephone infrastructure ...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Rex Ryan</p>
<p>Voice over IP, or VoIP had become a buzzword in the past few years because it represents a more cost effective model for transmitting voice conversations than the old circuit switched networks. The existing telephone infrastructure consists of physical wires connecting circuit switches in which one telephone caller is connected directly to another through a switched network. This of the old switchboard operators in days of old, automated on a large scale. </p>
<p>The existing Internet infrastructure is far different than the circuit switched networks that carry most voice calls. The Internet carries packets of digital information data. These packets are switched and routed through the Internet from one destination to another. </p>
<p>The protocol that governs the Internet is called TCP/IP. It was born out of UNIX and became the de facto standard of Internet communications. Because of the ubiquitous nature of TCP/IP, it represents the obvious choice for use in digital voice communications. Since it using IP &#8211; the Internet Protocol, voice over IP is generally referred to as VoIP.</p>
<p>In the Internet world, pieces of data called IP packets are passed around. A good analogy for this is the post office. Each packet contains its destination, and the routers and switchers in the network forward the packets like sorters in the post office. A package at the post office will typically go from one postal sorting center to another, before arriving at the destination post office to be put on the appropriate mail trucks. Packets move around the Internet in the same way.</p>
<p>In VoIP, special receivers known as codecs compress and decompress digital data into the audio we here through a telephone handset. When you speak into a VoIP phone, the phone compresses your voice into digital data, which is then sent out over an IP network as a series of packets. The receiving end receives those packets, and reforms them into audio through the handset of the person you are speaking to. </p>
<p>In order for VoIP to work successfully, standards are necessary so that one phone can talk to another. The standard protocol used in VoIP today is SIP, or Session Initiation Protocol. This protocol contains a number of compression and communications standards and algorithms that VoIP phones must support. For years, SIP was in a battle with proprietary protocols like Cisco Skinny, and other standards like H.323 which is the dominant standard in IP videoconferencing. But ultimately SIP has prevailed.</p>
<p>Because the nature of VoIP is different than circuit switched networks, VoIP comes with a new set of issues. The most serious concern is latency. Latency is the amount of time it takes between when you say something, and when it is heard on the other end. If the network is too slow or busy, and the packets don&#8217;t arrive on time or in order, the conversation will fall apart. Studies show that people find latencies exceeding .25 seconds to be too frustrating to use. Because of this, quality of service (QoS) is an essential portion of a VoIP network, as it guarantees that packets will be delivered with minimal interruption.</p>
<p>Because of the cost advantages of VoIP, it will be commonplace before too long. Don&#8217;t be surprised when old phones go the way of vinyl records.</p>
<p></p>
<p style="background-color: #ffffff; width: 100%; padding: 0px;" class="text"><b>About the Author</b>:</p>
<p> Rex Ryan is a telecommunications engineer and runs a website on <a href="http://voipfacts.info">voip technologies</a>.</p>
<p> <span class="text">Source: <a href="http://www.isnare.com">www.isnare.com</a></span></p>
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		<title>Wireless VoIP</title>
		<link>http://www.voiparticle.com/wireless-voip/</link>
		<comments>http://www.voiparticle.com/wireless-voip/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 22 Jul 2009 10:34:07 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>The Editor</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Voip Articles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[access point wireless]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[access points]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[best of both worlds]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cellular network]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[data packets]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[free long distance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hotspot]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hotspots]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[invention]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[long distance phone]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[new generation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[radio signals]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[roaming charges]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[stephen cox]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[voip service]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[wireless connections]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[wireless fidelity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[wireless networks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[wireless technology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[wireless users]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.voiparticle.com/wireless-voip/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[

Stephen cox<br /><br />

Wireless VoIP

<BR><BR>Wireless and VoIP have joined forces. Installing a WLAN network
card into your computer uses wireless technology. After
installing the card, your computer will become "wireless". This
means that you will be able to enjoy an ...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Stephen cox</p>
<p>Wireless VoIP</p>
<p><BR><BR>Wireless and VoIP have joined forces. Installing a WLAN network<br />
card into your computer uses wireless technology. After<br />
installing the card, your computer will become &#8220;wireless&#8221;. This<br />
means that you will be able to enjoy an Internet connection<br />
without the use of cables and cords. </p>
<p><BR><BR>VoIP is the technology that allows the transmission of audio<br />
files by transmitting them into data packets across the<br />
Internet. By integrating Wireless and VoIP a new generation of<br />
audio telecommunications has been birthed. By having a VoIP<br />
service and a wireless connection, you can enjoy the best of<br />
both worlds- wireless VoIP connections. </p>
<p><BR><BR>Visit <a href="http://www.infonet.us">http://www.infonet.us</a> for more articles on voip</p>
<p><BR><BR>Wireless networks are activated by what is known as a &#8220;hotspot&#8221;.<br />
A hotspot is an area where there is an access point. Wireless<br />
connections are basically created by radio signals. An access<br />
point is where the network has established their main signal. It<br />
is possible for wireless users to basically &#8220;jump&#8221; from hotspot<br />
to hotspot and utilize various networks access points.</p>
<p><BR><BR>The combination of Wireless and VoIP has led to another<br />
invention-VoWiFi. VoWiFi stands for Voice over Wireless<br />
Fidelity. VoWiFi has also produced the new VoWiFi phones. These<br />
phones operate like cell phones, only they use VoIP technology,<br />
(transmit over the Internet) and are wireless, operating in<br />
various hotspots.</p>
<p><BR><BR>VoWiFi phones are very inexpensive to use, as is all of VoIP<br />
technology. It is much cheaper to submit audio as data packets<br />
over the Internet and it uses considerably less bandwidth. This<br />
is a reason why VoIP technology is gaining in strength and<br />
momentum.</p>
<p><BR><BR>Many people are choosing the freedom that is offered by VoIP.<br />
VoIP can offer nearly free or free long distance phone calls.<br />
Since VoWi Fi operates from hotspot to hotspot or<br />
network-to-network, you may think that there are roaming charges<br />
involved. Well, this is not the cellular network that you<br />
love/hate. There are no roaming charges involved with VoIP.<br />
That&#8217;s right, you can take your VoWiFi phone from hotspot to<br />
hotspot, maintaining your connection (provided you easily go<br />
from hotspot to hotspot) absolutely free. </p>
<p><BR><BR>You may be wondering why not just use cellular? Why go wireless?<br />
Well, for those who travel a lot or are consistently out of<br />
their cellular range, roaming charges will apply and can be<br />
expensive. By using your VoWiFi in hotspots while you are<br />
traveling, you can pick up a connection and make your calls for<br />
free. </p>
<p><BR><BR>Be careful not to confuse a VoWiFi phone with a cordless VoIP<br />
phone. They are two distinctively different products. A VoWiFi<br />
phone will enable you to access hotspots, but a cordless VoIP<br />
phone is simply a way to have a cordless phone in your house<br />
that is compatible with your VoIP service provider.</p>
<p><BR><BR>VoWiFi phones are hitting the market and companies such as<br />
Vonage are soon to debut their new VoWiFi phones.</p>
<p><BR><BR>An interesting trend is the creation of the hybrid phone. If<br />
someone is a traveling salesman, or just simply travels<br />
frequently and is on their cell phone, then leave their network<br />
range- they can take advantage of the new hybrid phone. The<br />
hybrid phone, which is part cellular, part VoWiFi, will be able<br />
to access hotspots, and pick up a signal. Voila- no more roaming<br />
charges!</p>
<p><BR><BR>Wireless VoIP does show promising signs towards the future and<br />
many look anxiously awaiting new products and increasing<br />
performance by these products. You will have to have a VoIP<br />
service provider before you can access VoWiFi. However, you can<br />
still find many free hotspots that will give your phone a<br />
connection. </p>
<p><BR><BR>Both Wireless and VoIP are relatively new technologies that have<br />
a lot of kinks that need to be worked out. The products are<br />
hitting the market at increasing speed, while rules,<br />
regulations, and security issues seem to be taking second place.<br />
That is the nature of telecommunications technology though, and<br />
we can expect that the face of Wireless VoIP will look very<br />
different in the next few years. Major corporations are already<br />
embracing this technology, creating services, phones, hybrid<br />
phones and plans that center on VoIP while the FCC races to<br />
determine where in fact VoIP technology&#8217;s classifications lay.</p>
<p><BR><BR>There have been significant issues regarding wireless VoIP and<br />
security and 911 services. Well the good news is, that while<br />
these issues are battled out, agreed upon, and rewritten, we can<br />
still take our phones and lily pad our way from hotspot to<br />
hotspot- free of roaming charges.</p>
<p><BR><BR></p>
<p><BR><BR>About the author:<BR><BR><br />
Webmaster: <a href="http://www.infonet.us">http://www.infonet.us</a> <a href="http://www.itnet.us</p>
<p>">http://www.itnet.us</p>
<p></a><BR><BR>We offer our customers acces to over 25,000 articles on over 200<br />
subjects/topics.All our articles are free to republish.</p>
<p><BR><BR>We also offer authors/writers free article submision.</p>
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		<title>VoIP And Internet Telephone The Ins And Outs</title>
		<link>http://www.voiparticle.com/voip-and-internet-telephone-the-ins-and-outs/</link>
		<comments>http://www.voiparticle.com/voip-and-internet-telephone-the-ins-and-outs/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 23 Jun 2009 10:56:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>The Editor</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Voip Articles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[changing technology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[communication options]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[communication system]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[company officials]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[computer connection]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[drawback]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[emerging market]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[even individuals]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[foreign countries]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[internet computer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[internet telephone]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[lots of money]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[next level]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[telephone connection]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[telephone service]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[telephone systems]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[traditional internet]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[unlimited long distance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[voice communication]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[voip systems]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.voiparticle.com/voip-and-internet-telephone-the-ins-and-outs/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[

Scott Knutson<br /><br />

<p>The fact that the Internet opened up a whole new world of communication options has not been lost on those providing telephone service - or on those who spend lots of money on voice communication. The ever-chang...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Scott Knutson</p>
<p>The fact that the Internet opened up a whole new world of communication options has not been lost on those providing telephone service &#8211; or on those who spend lots of money on voice communication. The ever-changing technology and emerging market for more cost-effective and better communication is creating a demand for people who can create, design and install VoIP systems. There&#8217;s also a growing market for those who can repair and maintain those systems.</p>
<p>So what&#8217;s so great about VoIP and Internet telephone systems? Cost is probably one of the biggest benefits touted by the companies providing the services and one of the biggest reasons so many people are ready to try the market. With VoIP and Internet telephone options, there&#8217;s no cost for long-distance calls &#8211; even to foreign countries which is typically very expensive for those companies that make those kinds of calls. Think it&#8217;s impossible that someone would offer unlimited long-distance for nothing? You actually already have that option already in the form of email and chat. All you need is a microphone for instant voice communication in a chat room, and that form of communication is free with your paid Internet connection.</p>
<p>VoIP and Internet telephone systems just take that to the next level through a voice communication system that allows faster and clearer streaming than through a traditional Internet computer connection.</p>
<p>So if it&#8217;s so great, why isn&#8217;t everyone using VoIP and Internet telephone service? There are some drawbacks. The first and most important is availability. Though this is improving, you may not be able to connect to your VoIP or Internet telephone connection from just anywhere you happen to be. For busy company officials and even individuals, this is a serious lack that makes the system less attractive.</p>
<p>Another drawback comes in the form of emergency calls. According to some sources, the VoIP systems are seriously inadequate in emergency situations. Because of limited availability of services, it&#8217;s very possible that users may not have the ability to make calls at all. Even if calls are possible, the systems are sometimes not sending signals to the nearest towers, meaning you may not be contacting the most local emergency response teams. It&#8217;s also sometimes difficult for those emergency personnel to target your location. All these problems will likely be dealt with over time, but they&#8217;re still concerns to some people now who rely on cell phones for emergencies and are reluctant to take the chance that their VoIP or Internet telephones will work in emergency situations.</p>
<p>The legalities almost always become an issue and VoIP is no exception. Because this type of communication has the potential to have a major impact on the communication industry, there&#8217;s little doubt that it&#8217;ll eventually be regulated as telephone companies are regulated. This is of significant concern to those municipalities that provide telephone service and depend on the revenue from that service as income.</p>
<p></p>
<p style="background-color: #ffffff; width: 100%; padding: 0px;" class="text"><b>About the Author</b>:</p>
<p> Scott Knutson is an entrepreneur and writer. For more of his articles visit: <a href="http://www.elite-voip.com">Internet Phone</a> | <a href="http://www.eyeonvoip.com">Internet Phone Service</a> | <a href="http://www.voip-insider.com">VoIP Service</a></p>
<p>
 <span class="text"><a href="http://www.isnare.com">This article is distributed by: www.iSnare.com</a></span></p>
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		<title>VOIP a Threat to the Industry</title>
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		<pubDate>Sun, 24 May 2009 08:35:09 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>The Editor</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Voip Articles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[800 numbers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[analog signal]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[television commercials]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[voice over internet protocol]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.voiparticle.com/voip-a-threat-to-the-industry/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[

Alan Ocab<br /><br />

VOIP stands for "Voice over Internet Protocol" and it's going to
change the way you think about making long distance phone calls.
This technology turns analog audio signals (like the sounds you
hear when talking on your regular ...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Alan Ocab</p>
<p>VOIP stands for &#8220;Voice over Internet Protocol&#8221; and it&#8217;s going to<br />
change the way you think about making long distance phone calls.<br />
This technology turns analog audio signals (like the sounds you<br />
hear when talking on your regular telephone) into a digital<br />
signal (which is then transmitted over the Internet.) </p>
<p><BR><BR>So why is VOIP a threat to communications industry? Because it<br />
means that by getting your hands on some of the free software<br />
that&#8217;s readily available, you can totally bypass your telephone<br />
company, and start making long distance phone calls for free! </p>
<p><BR><BR>This revolutionary technology has the ability to totally change<br />
the phone system of the entire world! Maybe you&#8217;ve seen<br />
television commercials for one of the pioneers of VOIP &#8211; Vonage.<br />
It brands itself as the &#8220;broadband telephone company&#8221;, and<br />
offers enticing perks to customers who switch to its service,<br />
like low-cost 800 numbers, very cheap international rates (fees<br />
are waived from the U.S. to Canada, and how about .03 cents a<br />
minute to call Paris?) </p>
<p><BR><BR>But Vonage isn&#8217;t the only company who is interested. AT&#038;T is<br />
setting up VOIP calling in several areas of the U.S. and there<br />
are other major players on the scene as well, such as Skype, who<br />
is relying on viral advertising to get the word out. </p>
<p><BR><BR>One of the really interesting thing about VOIP is that there&#8217;s<br />
not just one way to make a call. There are three: </p>
<p><BR><BR>1) ATA (analog telephone adaptor) &#8211; is the most commonly used<br />
VOIP method right now. Using the ATA, you connect your regular<br />
telephone to your computer or Internet connection. The ATA is an<br />
analog-to-digital converter and it takes the analog signal from<br />
your phone and converts it into digital data and transmits it<br />
over the Internet. </p>
<p><BR><BR>This is how Vonage does it, and AT&#038;T &#8217;s CallVantage will be<br />
doing it. The ATA is free with their services. And using an ATA<br />
is so simple that anyone can do it. Open the box, plug the cable<br />
from your phone into the ATA instead of the wall socket, and<br />
you&#8217;re set. Depending on your computer, and where you live, and<br />
what type of Internet connection you have, you might have to<br />
also install the software onto your computer, but even my<br />
grandmother knows how to do that these days. </p>
<p><BR><BR>2) IP Phones &#8211; They look just like the phones we are used to.<br />
They have a handset, cradles and buttons. But IP phones use an<br />
RJ-45 Ethernet connector instead of the standard RJ-11 phone<br />
connectors. They connect directly to your router and all the<br />
hardware and software is already built inside to handle your IP<br />
calls. Look for Wi-Fi IP phones to be available in the near<br />
future, which will allow you to make VOIP calls from any Wi-Fi<br />
spot. (Can you see the power of that? Just take your IP phone<br />
with you when you travel, and stop in at any Internet caf?,<br />
hotel or other location where you can use your Wi-Fi laptop, and<br />
you can &#8220;phone home&#8221; wherever home happens to be! </p>
<p><BR><BR>3) Computer-to-Computer. Arguably the easiest way to use VOIP.<br />
Not only do you not have to pay for long distance calls, there<br />
are several companies that are offering free or low-cost<br />
software right now for you to make use of the VOIP technology.<br />
All you need is the software, a microphone, speakers a sound<br />
card and a broadband or cable DSL Internet connection, and your<br />
loved ones sound as if they&#8217;re in the next room. And, except for<br />
your normal monthly ISP fee, there is no charge for any<br />
computer- to-computer call. </p>
<p><BR><BR>Most likely, you have been using the VOIP technology without<br />
even being aware of it, any time you&#8217;ve made a long distance<br />
telephone call recently. Many of the major phone companies are<br />
already using VOIP technology to reduce their own bandwidth.<br />
It&#8217;s a simple matter of routing thousands of phone calls through<br />
a circuit switch and into an IP gateway. Once received on the<br />
other side of the gateway, the calls are decompressed,<br />
reassembled and routed back to a local circuit switch. </p>
<p><BR><BR>IP telephony is the wave of the future. It makes sense in terms<br />
of ROI, from both an economic and infrastructure point of view.<br />
It may take some time, but eventually all of the current<br />
circuit-switched networks that are in use today will be replaced<br />
by packet-switching technology. More and more businesses are<br />
already installing VOIP systems. And as the technology makes our<br />
way into our everyday language our lives, and our homes, it will<br />
continue to grow in popularity. </p>
<p><BR><BR>Forrester Research predicted that nearly 5 million U.S.<br />
households will have VOIP phone service by the end of this year.<br />
The two biggest advantages for home users so far are price and<br />
flexibility. </p>
<p><BR><BR>Currently, most VOIP phone companies offer plans similar to that<br />
of cell-phone companies &#8211; what are commonly called &#8220;minute-rate&#8221;<br />
plans for as little as $30 a month. And as with cell-phone<br />
plans, you can also get unlimited plans for around $79 a month.<br />
With the elimination of long-distances charges, unregulated<br />
charges, and all the freebies that come standard with your VOIP<br />
service, it can actually amount to a significant savings for<br />
you. For example, you may be paying extra for features like:<br />
call waiting, 3 way calling, call forwarding, caller I.D.,<br />
repeat dial &#038; last call return </p>
<p><BR><BR>With VOIP, they come standard. And then there are some advanced<br />
features that make VOIP something worth looking into. With some<br />
carriers, you can set up call-filtering options, and actually<br />
have some control over how calls from certain numbers are<br />
handled. For example, you can: forward the call to a particular<br />
number, send the call directly to voicemail, give the caller a<br />
busy signal, play a &#8220;not in service&#8221; message and send the caller<br />
to a funny rejection hotline </p>
<p><BR><BR>With most VOIP services, you can also check your voice mail on<br />
the Internet, or attach messages to an email that is sent<br />
directly to your computer or handheld. (By the way, if you&#8217;re<br />
interested in any of these features, not all VOIP companies are<br />
created equal, so do a little shopping around first, because<br />
prices and services do vary). </p>
<p><BR><BR>The second benefit that makes VOIP so attractive for home and<br />
small business users is the flexibility. With VOIP you can make<br />
a call anywhere you can get broadband connectivity. Since the IP<br />
phones or ATAs broadcast information over the Internet, they can<br />
be administered by any provider. For business travelers, this<br />
means they can take their phone or ATA with them on the road,<br />
and never miss a home phone call! </p>
<p><BR><BR>By using a softphone, (which is client software that loads your<br />
VOIP service onto your desktop or laptop), you can make calls<br />
from your laptop anywhere in the broadband-connected world, with<br />
just a headset and microphone. </p>
<p><BR><BR>We could easily see here that tremendous opportunities also<br />
abound for the industry participants. It just depends on how you<br />
see VOIP a threat or an opportunity.</p>
<p><BR><BR>About the author:<BR><BR><br />
Alan Ocab is the Chief Knowledge Officer of VOIPService.Visit<br />
<a href="http://www.thevoipservice.info">http://www.thevoipservice.info</a></p>
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