What is VOIP?

What is VoIP?
Voice over Internet Protocol or just say VoIP (It is also referred to as IP Telephony - or in more common term phone service over the Internet) is simply a transmission of voice traffic over Internet Protocol (IP) based network.
The Internet Protocol was originally designed for data networking. But the success of IP has become a universal standard for data networking has led to its adoption to voice transmission.

How does VoIP work?
A way is required to turn analog phone signals into digital signals that can be sent over the Internet. This function can either be included into the phone (IP Phones) itself or in a separate box like an Analogue Terminal Adapter (ATA).

VoIP is mainly popular for long-distance calls. The main reason for which people are turning to this new technology is the very low call cost. VoIP is said to be cheap, but most people use VOIP for free too.

Three ways of using VoIP
There are three ways in which you can make a VoIP calls; each way is having a different set of requirements and implications.

PC to PC VoIP: This mode of VoIP is the most common, as it is so easy and free for VoIP telephony. You need to have a computer connected to the high speed broadband Internet service, with the necessary hardware to speak and listen. You can install voice communication software like Skype, Yahoo Voice, Google Talk etc. and you are ready to enjoy VoIP Calls. Many paid VoIP service providers also provide softphone for PC to PC VoIP communication as a part of their plans.

Phone to Phone VoIP:  This mode of VoIP is very normal, but is not as simple and cheap compare to other two VoIP calling modes. It implies using a VoIP enabled devices on each end to make communication. Each end must have an IP phone instruments or an ATA attached to a normal telephone instruments.

Phone to Computer VoIP and vice-versa: As you understood how you can use your computer, traditional phone instruments and IP phones to make VoIP calls, it is easy to understand that you can call a person using a normal phone or IP phone from your computer. You can also use your normal phone or IP phone to call someone on his computer.