What Is VoIP?

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Many have heard of the VoIP phone service, but are unsure what the term VoIP stand for. VoIP stands for Voice Over Internet Protocol. “Great, but what does that mean and how does it affect me?” I can hear you say. I though the same when I first heard the term.

In simple terms what the VoIP service does is to convert an analogue audio signal into a digital audio signal that can be transferred over the internet. In order to understand how this works and why it is necessary, you first need to understand how the internet transfers files. In order for a file to be transferred over the internet from one computer to another, the signal has to be cut down into small pieces, called ‘packets’. This can only be done if the information being cut up is in binary format, i.e. in the form of a stream of 1s and 0, such as 11000010. very basically, such a stream of binary digits can be cut into small packets such as 1100 and 0010 , sent over the internet, then put back into order when received to read 11000010. As I said, this is a simple example, purely to give a rough idea of how a VoIP phone service sends the data throughout the internet. In practice the VoIP data streams are very much larger as are the packets.

Since the VoIP information has to be in binary form, the signal, of course, has to be a digital one. The digital signal is ‘packetized’ then the packets sent over the internet. The way this is done is to send the signals from one computer to another until it reaches the destination computer, rather like cell phone signals are sent from one antenna to another till they reach the one nearest to you, then from there to your mobile phone receiver.

In fact the packets will take the quickest route through the internet which can sometimes cause problems in that they may arrive at the receiving end in a different order to that in which they were sent. Some may even be lost, or ‘dropped’, leading to a less than perfect signal. The VoIP receiver must therefore be equipped with the means to put them back in the right order and compensate for ‘dropped’ packets.

The digital information is then converted back to an analogue signal so that it can be detected by the human ear. Normal digital phones can work this way, but the VoIP service uses the internet rather than conventional telephone system.

It is easy to see the potential benefits of this type of telephone system. It should be completely free of charge, other than the cost of the internet connection, since there are no wires or dedicated transmission and reception equipment required. The voice signals are sent as easily as you would send email. In fact VoIP services can completely change the way in which we make phone calls; as revolutionary as the change to mobile cell phones, and many phone companies are wakening up to this and are now selling complete VoIP phone systems for residential users and global corporate companies.

How do you make a phone call using a VoIP service? There are a number of ways:

1. The easiest way is from one computer to another. All you need is the software required to convert, packetize, transmit and receive the signal, a microphone and speakers. Once connected your only cost is the normal payment to your internet provider such as AOL or whichever you use. There is no regular payment for the VoIP service itself other than the initial software.

2. You can use an analogue telephone adapter (ATA). You plug your normal telephone into the ATA, also called a ‘Gateway’, then connect the ATA to your internet connection. When make a phone call, the ATA changes the analogue voice signal into a digital one, packetizes it and you can then send it on its way along the fastest route each packet can find to the destination computer.

3. The third way is use an IP phone which looks just like a normal handset. They contain all the software necessary to make a call and plug directly into an RJ 45 Ethernet connector on your computer. This type of VoIP service is popular with medium to large companies operating VoIP networks.

One thing you will need for an efficient VoIP service is a fast internet connection such as cable or broadband. An old modem connection won’t be much good for VoIP. You can also take your VoIP phone with you, much as you do with your mobile. With most VoIP service providers, however, you can get free calls and the phone is, in effect, your home telephone with your home telephone number. It’s just like carrying your home phone around with you.

Many companies operate a VoIP service on their internal networks, and calls between users on the network are free. Thus the Hong Kong office could call the London office completely free of charge.

FEATURES

The features available with VoIP services generally come free with the system and include useful features such as call waiting: you will be informed that another caller is waiting for you to finish the call you are on, conference calling, caller ID by number and name, call transfer: you can transfer calls to another phone or even to your mobile, repeat dialing, auto dialing, etc. Many of these are normally chargeable with ordinary phone services, but are generally free with the VoIP service.

These are just a few of the many different services available with VoIP phone systems. If you intend to purchase one for yourself or your company you should make a list of what services you require, which are essential and which are ‘nice to have’ then call in an expert to make the recommendation. You may be able to use some of your existing hardware if you are currently operating a digital phone system, as most medium to large company telephone systems are these days. This doesn’t apply to residential users who just need an interface between their phone and internet connection as already described.

I have often been asked if the person you are calling has to have a VoIP service. The answer is no, but if you are calling from an ordinary phone to VoIP or using a VoIP service to call an ordinary phone, call charges will normally apply whereas FROM VoIP service TO VoIP service, they normally do not.
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Peter Nisbet is an industrial chemist with a great interest in internet file transmission and reception systems and runs many websites including http://www.data-voip-solutions.com where many aspects of VoIP services and systems are discussed.

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Are You Working Too Hard At Saving Money?

Copyright © 2006-2007 Darlene Arechederra
You work hard for your money. And chances are, you work even harder to "save" some of that money. But what happens when a year later you're not any closer to achieving your savings goal?

That's exactly what happened to Heather. See if you can relate to her experience during rush hour on a sweltering, humid evening not too long ago...

...Heather dragged her tired body from the passenger seat of the tow truck, relieved when her heels hit the surface of her driveway. A few minutes more and she could soak up the air conditioning inside and worry about how to get to work tomorrow.

Heather handed over her credit card information, hoping the driver would be quick about it. She'd dearly love to step away from these diesel fumes. The humidity alone made it difficult to breathe, and she was exhausted. What a day it had been!

But, at least she was finally home - three hours and $65 later. How could she have known the transmission would call it quits right in the middle of rush hour? Her mechanic had been warning her for months now. She'd hoped it would hold out until she had money for the repair work. But it certainly hadn't worked out that way.

As it stood now, Heather had no money for a transmission, whether used or new. She couldn't afford new car payments, either. And, she'd been using her credit card more and more lately.

She'd certainly worked hard to save money over the past 12 months. She'd brought her lunch to work each and every day. She'd cut out all long-distance calling, as well as reduced her overall spending. She'd found more ways to save, absorbing every article and newsletter she could get her hands on. By her estimate, she had saved close to $3,000 just in the past year.

All that Work -- for Nothing?

But, where in the world was the $3000 Heather had worked so hard to save? It wasn't in her checkbook today, when she truly needed it. And she knew without looking that it wasn't in her savings account.

Unfortunately, the "Money Sponge" had been visiting Heather's checkbook while she went about the business of living. This meant that, while she was so busy working hard to save more money, her money was quietly and steadily being absorbed by the Money Sponge.

Heather's $3000 wasn't taken out of circulation, put into a savings account, or otherwise tucked away. It was left high and dry, totally defenseless in her checkbook. Bite by bite, the Money Sponge absorbed it, and there is now no evidence that Heather saved that $3000.

She'd needed that money urgently today, but it simply wasn't there. It slowly got spent on other things. She had no idea what those things were, but tonight she's feeling that she's no better off than a year ago.

All that work for nothing!

The True Secret to Getting Ahead

Though she was discouraged, Heather learned a valuable lesson that day. She must put up "all" money she saves. If she doesn't, she'll continue to work hard at "saving" yet never really get ahead.

If the money will not be there when she needs it, why is Heather working so hard to save it? And, how long will she stay motivated if she never sees the 'fruits' of her labor?

Heather learned another great lesson as well. She discovered that, if she doesn't begin putting up the "smaller" amounts of money she's saved, chances are she'll never put up any "larger" amounts. That day simply won't arrive. Small truly is better than nothing.

Now, the Money Sponge is sitting there quietly, comfortably settled in for the years ahead. But Heather will win this battle, hands down.

How about you? Has the Money Sponge been visiting you lately? Why not cut off its supply by deciding exactly "how" you'll tuck away that little bit of money, even if only $5 at a time.

You work too hard for your money, and you use a lot of energy to avoid spending it. Why not take it out of circulation - and celebrate each time you move a bit closer to your goal!