The demand for Internet Telephony systems in businesses right across the world is higher than it has ever been, and continues to grow and an alarming rate as yet more people become aware of the systems' benefits.
It's still very early days in the life and development of internet telephone systems and technology, and because of this there are still glitches in the software which companies are trying to eradicate in order to expand the influence of internet calling to more and more businesses.
But what it is that makes them so special? Well, apart from the increased audio quality and reduced call costs, their unique and standout feature is that they offer several ways to make a call, as you will soon discover.
The most common way to use them is through an ATA (Analogue Telephone Adaptor) device. An ATA is an analogue-to-digital device which converts the signal from your traditional analogue phone into digital data which can then be broadcast over the internet.
ATA devices are simple to use and supplied for free by a number of internet telephone service providers. In order to install the ATA you simply un-plug the cord of your standard analogue phone from the wall and plug it into the ATA. Voila, you're ready to make cheap calls.
Another way to make calls is via IP phones. There is very little difference in appearance between an IP phone and a standard analogue phone, but IP phones contain much more advanced technology and have RJ-45 Ethernet connectors in place of standard RJ-11 phone connectors.
The other way to make calls is via the computer-to-computer method and a large number of companies offer completely free software for this kind of Internet Telephony. The only equipment required is a computer, a broadband connection, speakers, a microphone and a soundcard. With the computer-to-computer method all calls are completely free.
So there you have it. Voip systems offer a flexibility and potential that standard phone systems simply cannot match, however, the flaws still prevalent in Voip systems mean that standard phone systems will still be around for some time to come. But when the time does come - which it inevitably will - when the bugs have been fixed and voip systems are as reliable as standard phone systems are now, businesses and households alike will jump on the Voip bandwagon eager to take advantage of the cheaper costs and improved quality, and then, as unfortunate as it may seem, analogue phone systems will be forgotten, and confined to the bowels of history.
It's still very early days in the life and development of internet telephone systems and technology, and because of this there are still glitches in the software which companies are trying to eradicate in order to expand the influence of internet calling to more and more businesses.
But what it is that makes them so special? Well, apart from the increased audio quality and reduced call costs, their unique and standout feature is that they offer several ways to make a call, as you will soon discover.
The most common way to use them is through an ATA (Analogue Telephone Adaptor) device. An ATA is an analogue-to-digital device which converts the signal from your traditional analogue phone into digital data which can then be broadcast over the internet.
ATA devices are simple to use and supplied for free by a number of internet telephone service providers. In order to install the ATA you simply un-plug the cord of your standard analogue phone from the wall and plug it into the ATA. Voila, you're ready to make cheap calls.
Another way to make calls is via IP phones. There is very little difference in appearance between an IP phone and a standard analogue phone, but IP phones contain much more advanced technology and have RJ-45 Ethernet connectors in place of standard RJ-11 phone connectors.
The other way to make calls is via the computer-to-computer method and a large number of companies offer completely free software for this kind of Internet Telephony. The only equipment required is a computer, a broadband connection, speakers, a microphone and a soundcard. With the computer-to-computer method all calls are completely free.
So there you have it. Voip systems offer a flexibility and potential that standard phone systems simply cannot match, however, the flaws still prevalent in Voip systems mean that standard phone systems will still be around for some time to come. But when the time does come - which it inevitably will - when the bugs have been fixed and voip systems are as reliable as standard phone systems are now, businesses and households alike will jump on the Voip bandwagon eager to take advantage of the cheaper costs and improved quality, and then, as unfortunate as it may seem, analogue phone systems will be forgotten, and confined to the bowels of history.
About the Author:
Saul writes regularly about Voip systems and technology for his website which can be found here business voip previous examples of his research and writing can be found here asterisk