VOICE OVER IP

Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) is a method converting analog audio signals (like the ones we hear when talking on the phone) into digital data and transmitting them over the internet. This method is not entirely new as it has been used in different format in the cellular phone industry for the last two decades.

VOIP could be used in three flavours as listed below:

1. ATA: is a device (stands for analog telephone adaptor) which allows the connection of a standard phone to the computer or the internet connection for the use of VOIP. This is the most common way of VOIP calls. The device is programmable to connect to a gateway that connects the digital media to the analog media (the traditional phone line system). Once connected to the internet, the phone connected to the ATA will have a phone line and number and will allow users to make and receive phone calls from all telephone networks digital and traditional. ITP offers this service to our customers and it is usually bundled with free long distance calling to Canada and the U.S.
2. IP Phones: Those phones look and feel like the regular phone. They are effectively a small computer that has hardware and software that enables it to connect to the internet to transmit digital data. This connection could be by an RJ-45 (Ethernet connection) versus the traditional RJ-11 phone connection; or WiFi connection that enables are wireless phone device to connect to the internet wirelessly and make the connection to the phone networks. This type of service ITP offers under our Hosted PBX service. (link to Hosted PBX)
3. Computer-to-Computer: This is the earliest and least expensive form of VoIP.; long distance charges do not exist. The free service that is available by few companies like Skype is limited to allow people who are using the same service provider to talk to each other. A gateway to the analog phone network is not available in the free of charge service offered. However, this gateway is becoming available for users of the service for an additional fee.