| Phones that use Voice Over Internet Protocol, or | | | | calls made from one computer to another computer |
| VoIP, are generally referred to as broadband phones. | | | | as well. This means users only pay for the Internet |
| The major function of such phones is converting | | | | connection and not for the call itself. VoIP phones are |
| analog voice data into digital data so it can be | | | | dedicated devices and can be used only for making |
| transmitted over the Internet. The phones link to | | | | calls using this technology, however. To get a taste |
| high-speed Internet connections via computers that | | | | of what is available in a VoIP phone, users can check |
| enable voice communications. Broadband phones have | | | | out the latest version of Yahoo Messenger, which is |
| transformed the Internet into a technology that can | | | | voice-enabled. It can be used to make |
| provide telephone calls for free by avoiding traditional | | | | computer-to-computer calls, and it is very easy. |
| phone service providers. | | | | Another place to check is |
| VoIP phone technology has the capability of changing | | | | Long-distance callers may be making VoIP calls |
| the way people talk to one another around the | | | | involuntarily using their VoIP phones and paying |
| world. VoIP service providers are growing by leaps | | | | regular costs. This is because most phone firms |
| and bounds, and major phone firms are establishing a | | | | around the world want to reduce their bandwidth by |
| presence in markets worldwide by offering calling | | | | routing some calls through circuit switches to an IP |
| plans that have bundled VoIP broadband phones with | | | | gateway. |
| their other services. The Federal Communications | | | | Experts predict that all the existing phone technology |
| Commission and other regulators around the world | | | | that currently uses circuit-switched networks will be |
| have started to investigate the new technology and | | | | replaced by packet-switching technology. VoIP offers |
| study the impact and future risks associated with it. | | | | financial and infrastructure efficiencies, costs less, and |
| The VoIP phone looks just like a traditional phone. | | | | is more effective. Broadband phones are used by |
| While a regular phone connects to the wall socket | | | | most corporations, and it only a matter of time |
| with an RJ-11 connector, a broadband phone | | | | before they are commonly used in individual |
| connects to a computer or router using an RJ-45 | | | | households. VoIP phones can be used to call |
| connector. All broadband phones come with software | | | | anywhere in the world that has a broadband Internet |
| pre-loaded to handle IP calls. In a recent innovation, | | | | connection. VoIP firms offer rate plans similar to |
| Wi-Fi VoIP broadband phones have become available. | | | | those of cell phone companies for individuals who |
| These phones can make calls via any Wi-Fi hotspot. | | | | want only VoIP broadband phones, usually $30 to |
| VoIP can also use ATA sets, which are telephone-like | | | | $80 per month. Users can take their phones |
| boxes that connect to a computer and convert | | | | anywhere or use a laptop computer to make |
| analog voice data to digital signals. VoIP can connect | | | | PC-to-PC calls. |