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VOIP Internet Phone and Internet Telephony FAQ
How VoIP / Internet Phone Works VoIP converts the voicesignal from your telephone into a digital signal that travelsover the Internet. If you are calling a regular phone number,the signal is then converted back at the other end. InternetVoice can allow you to make a call directly from a computer. Ifyou make a call using a phone with an adaptor, you’ll be able todial just as you always have, and the service provider may alsoprovide a dial tone. If your service assigns you a regular phonenumber, then a person can call you from his or her regular phonewithout using special equipment.Background Internet Telephony, also known as Voice overInternet Protocol (VoIP), is a technology that allows you tomake telephone calls using a broadband Internet connectioninstead of a regular (or analog) phone line. Some services usingVoIP may only allow you to call other people using the sameservice, but others may allow you to call anyone who has atelephone number – including local, long distance, mobile, andinternational numbers. Also, while some services only work overyour computer or a special VoIP phone, other services allow youto use a traditional phone through an adaptor.What Kind of Equipment Do I Need? A broadband Internetconnection is required to make VoIP calls. Some services allowyou to use a regular telephone, as long as you connect it to anadaptor. Some companies allow you to make calls from a computeror a VoIP phone that doesn’t require an additional adapter. Ifyou are calling a regular telephone number, the person you arecalling does not need any special equipment, just a phone.If I have VoIP Service, Whom Can I Call? Depending uponyour service, you might be limited only to other subscribers tothe service, or you may be able to call any phone number,anywhere in the world. The call can be made to a local number, amobile phone, a long distance, or an international number.What Are Some Advantages of VoIP? Because VoIP isdigital, it may offer features and services that are notavailable with a traditional phone. If you have a broadbandInternet connection, you need not maintain and pay theadditional cost for a line just to make telephone calls.Does My Computer Have to be Turned On? Not if you aremaking calls with a phone and adaptor or special VoIP internetphone, but your broadband Internet connection needs to beactive. You can also use your computer while talking on thephone.Is There a Difference Between Making a Local Call and a LongDistance Call? Some VoIP internet telephony providers offertheir service for free, normally only for calls to othersubscribers to the service. Some VoIP internet telephonyproviders charge for a long distance call to a number outsideyour calling area, similar to existing, traditional wirelinetelephone service. Other VoIP providers permit you to callanywhere at a flat rate for a fixed number of minutes. Your VoIPinternet telephony provider may permit you to select an areacode different from the area in which you live. This means thatif your VOIP provider charges for long distance, then chargescould be based on whether you call within your area code ratherthan geographic area. It also means that people who call you mayincur long distance charges depending on their area code andservice.Can I Take My internet Phone Adapter With me When ITravel? You may be able to use your VoIP service whereveryou travel as long as you have a broadband Internet connectionavailable. In that case it would work the same as in your home.How Do I Know If I have a VoIP Phone Call? The phone willring like any other call.Does the FCC Regulate Internet Voice? The FederalCommunications Commission (FCC) has worked to create anenvironment promoting competition and innovation to benefitconsumers. Historically, the FCC has not regulated the Internetor the services provided over it.Additional Considerations If you’re considering replacingyour traditional telephone service with VoIP, there are somepossible considerations you should be aware of:Some VoIP services don’t work during power outages and theservice provider may not offer backup powerIt may be difficult for some VoIP services to seamlessly connectwith the 911 emergency dispatch center or to identify thelocation of VoIP 911 callersVoIP providers may or may not offer directory assistance/whitepage listings. Aspects of these considerations may change withnew development in Internet Voice technology. You should alwayscheck with the potential VoIP service provider to confirm anyadvantages and limitations to their service.
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