Internet Phones - For Home or Business

If you are ready to begin taking advantage of the efficient and cost-effective "packet-switching" technology offered by the internet, at the present time there is more than one way you can go about it.

Computer-to-Computer Internet Telephony

Computer to computer calling is the simplest way for home users to begin using the internet for phone calls.  It is especially common for home users who wish to simply use a computer to save money on long distance calls to family and friends.  The way it works is simple:  all you need in terms of hardware is a home pc with a soundcard and a broad band connection (dial-up connections are typically too slow to effectively transmit voice well enough for conversation), a micro-phone for speaking, and a pair of speakers or headphones for listening.  The software is generally very inexpensive, and some types of telephony software, such as Skype, can even be downloaded for free right over the internet.  All you have to do is set-up your PC, download the software, and you are ready to go.  As long as you pay your standard monthly fee for your internet service provider, you can make as many long-distance calls as you want, all without incurring any of the traditional long-distance toll charges.
 

A Traditional Phone Linked to the Internet

Another simple and common way to talk on the internet, especially for home users, is to use what is called an ATA (analogue telephone adaptor).  Many service providers even provide ATA's for free when you subscribe to their service.  An ATA is a device that allows you to take your regular telephone and connect it to your computer or directly to your internet connection so you can talk over the internet.  Normal phones transmit signals in a format called "analogue."  What an ATA does is, it converts the analogue signal from your phone into a digital signal (which is the kind of data that a computer uses) so that it can be divided into packets and sent over the internet.  You take your regular phone and plug it into the ATA, and then you plug the ATA into your computer or internet connection.  Simple, and easy.
 

Special Internet Phones - Soft Phones

IP Phones look just like regular phones,- but they're not!  They are really just very small computers, that look like phones, but they have limited capabilities compared to a computer.  Think of them as computers that are made specifically for phone calls, but instead of converting voice-data from analogue to digital, since they are computers already operating using digital data, you can plug them directly into your networking systems router using what is called an "Ethernet" connection.  For a business operating a call center or making a large volume of calls to a network of nation-wide or world-wide office branches, the benefits are obviously enormous.  But even for small and medium sized companies the benefits of IP Telephony are too important to be ignored, and are likely necessary to remain competitive in today's marketplace.  

Added Features and Benefits

The capabilities possible with this new and emerging technology are virtually unlimited, with features such as caller ID, call forwarding, voice-messaging, and even video-conferencing providing advantages for modern business.  Anywhere you go, as long as you have your laptop computer, your headset, and a broadband internet connection,- you can make phone calls, all without incurring traditional long-distance toll charges, and allowing the business traveler cost-effective, real-time access to both data and voice communications.

Many New Companies Entering the Field of Voice-Over IP Telephony

The future of voice-over-the-internet is now, and recognizing this, a large number of companies of planning to enter and capitalize on this market.  You are invited to explore this site to learn more about the latest in IP Telephony news, The best resource site for Internet Telephony news and information.  You are invited to explore our directory of telephony links, read about the past, to see the whole history of telephony come alive before your eyes.  Learn about the present, with product reviews and hardware and software options featuring information that can keep your business competitive and up-to-date in today's marketplace.  And most importantly of all, educate yourself about the future of IP Telephony communications, so that your company can stay ahead of the curve instead of lagging behind.  You can explore the directory, read IP Telephony articles, or find the computer network consulting company nearest you, in the Research Triangle Park, or Nationwide:-

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