VoIP stands for “voice over IP (Internet protocol).” Sometimes referred to as “IP telephony,” “voice over broadband (VoBB),” or “Internet phone service,” VoIP describes communication services—voice, fax, voice mail, texting—that travel via the Internet, rather than the public switched phone network (PSTN, also known as “the phone company’s wires”).
Internet and telephone communication have been intertwined since the days when users dialed into the Internet via the legacy telephone network. As the Internet’s infrastructure became more widespread and robust, the relationship reversed as phone companies increasingly routed voice traffic through the Internet’s pipes and satellites. This works because, at some point in the path between sender and receiver, the signal is digitized, broken into packets, and transmitted over the Internet, just like any other web traffic like emails, websites, or instant messages (IMs).
VoIP does have a few requirements, one of the biggest is that you must have good Internet, both bandwidth and uninterrupted connectivity.
- Eliminates the need for traditional copper wire telephone system
- Works over your existing computer network infrastructure (in most cases)
- Far more powerful call-routing options. Phone numbers can be re-assigned to physical phones with just a few mouse clicks
- Centralized, remote administration of extensions, passwords, and provisioning
- Voice mail from anywhere. Even a web browser or email (in most cases)
- Make voice calls from your Internet-connected laptop simply by plugging in a headset
Potential for much better audio quality (depending on what the person you’re calling has on their end)
- Eliminates the need for traditional copper wire telephone system
- Works over your existing computer network infrastructure (in most cases)
- Far more powerful call-routing options. Phone numbers can be re-assigned to physical phones with just a few mouse clicks
- Centralized, remote administration of extensions, passwords, and provisioning
- Voice mail from anywhere. Even a web browser or email (in most cases)
- Make voice calls from your Internet-connected laptop simply by plugging in a headset
- Potential for much better audio quality (depending on what the person you’re
If you have any questions regarding VoIP service, feel free to call National ComTel at 800-987-0100 with those questions before you make a move. We are here to assist you!
