Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP, uses your broadband Internet connection to make phone calls. By converting your voice (or analog) signal to a digital signal, it becomes a more efficient way to talk on the phone and can save you money.
There are three ways to use VoIP. You can connect using your regular phone and adapter, a special Internet phone, or download software and use your computer. Here are the methods, in greater detail:
Using your home phone. If you want to switch from your regular phone line to VoIP, many people choose to continue using their home phone. To do this, you must use an ATA or analog telephone adapter. This device converts the analog signal (your voice) into a digital signal. Once the signal is converted, it passes through the Internet connection. When buying from a service provider, ask them if they include this adapter with their packages. It must be done.
Connect using an IP phone. When you use a special IP phone, you don’t need a separate ATA. Everything you need to use your broadband Internet connection like your phone service is included with the hardware. Instead of using a regular phone plug and jack, it uses an Ethernet connection to connect to your router.
Connect using your computer. If your computer has speakers, a microphone, a sound card, and a high-speed Internet connection, you can use your computer for VoIP. Companies offer free or low-cost software downloads that allow you to use your computer to make phone calls. Using this method is free, it costs only the price of your Internet connection, or almost free. Earthlink’s Vling software is free to download and use. The only problem is that you can only talk to other Vling users.