VoIP - Voice Over IP - Internet Telephony

With VoIP - voice over IP - service, consumers enjoy the convenience of a cell phone with the benefits of full Internet connectivity for telephony. The same Internet Protocol (IP) technology used in conventional data networks can be used to transmit voice and fax.

1. Instant Messaging (16)
2. Internet Phone Calling (9)
3. Cellular Internet Service

Definition of VoIP - What is VoIP?

Voice over IP (VoIP) is a technology that allows telephone calls to be made over computer networks like the Internet. VoIP converts analog voice signals into digital data packets and supports real-time, two-way transmission of conversations using Internet Protocol (IP).

VoIP at About.com

This VoIP site at About.com is dedicated to coverage of voice over IP technology and issues.

Common Questions About VoIP Service

VoIP service replaces your traditional residential telephone with a broadband phone that utilizes the Internet to make and receive calls. VoIP service providers offer a variety of service plans and features to entice new subscribers.

Top VoIP Wireless Routers (VoIP Gateways)

Hooking up a traditional telephone to VoIP requires a hardware adapter connected to the home Internet connection. These wireless VoIP routers (sometimes called VoIP gateways) contain built-in analog terminal adapters that provide such connections.

FoIP - Internet Fax Over IP

FoIP technology enables the transmission of Fax data using Internet Protocol. Internet Fax over IP services save businesses money over traditional Fax technology.

QoS - Quality of Service

In VoIP systems, QoS technologies increase the relaibility and quality of phone calls. Elements of QoS include availability (uptime), bandwidth (throughput), latency (delay), and error rate.

SIP - Session Initiation Protocol

SIP - Session Initiation Protocol - is a network communications protocol commonly employed for VoIP signaling.

PSTN - Public Switched Telephone Network

PSTN is the Public Switched Telephone Network, the global collection of interconnects originally designed to support circuit-switched voice communication. Parts of the PSTN are also utilized for VoIP and other Internet-based network technologies.

Telephony - Computer and Internet Telephony

Voice over IP is also known as IP or Internet telephony. Telephony is a term used for voice (telephone) networking technologies. Telephony traditionally involved analog signaling over copper wire, but VoIP technology converts analog voice into digital data packets to support communication over Internet Protocol networks.

H.323 Protocol for VoIP

H.323 is a protocol standard for multimedia communications. H.323 was designed to support VoIP and other real-time transfer of audio and video data over packet networks.

VoIP with NetMeeting

NetMeeting is a software application for audio and video conferencing including voice over IP capability. NetMeeting offers sharing of desktop video, audio, chat and file transfer functionality.

VoIP - Voice over IP Tutorial

Discover why you should care about VoIP. Weigh the pros and cons of voice over IP services, and get a glimpse of the types of VoIP gadgets available.

Avoid Voice Over IP Gotchas

"Voice over IP can save you money, if you can avoid the traps." Topics covered include number portability, reliability, and VoIP cost considerations.

Is VoIP Phone Service Secure?

Network security issues with VoIP may emerge in the near future as Voice over IP phone services continue to gain popularity.

Lines and VoIP Bandwidth Calculator

This calculator can be used to estimate the bandwidth required to transmit a given number of voice streams over an IP network. It also estimates the number of VoIP streams for a given amount of bandwidth.

Generating Comfort Noise in VoIP Designs

VoIP systems support the automatic generation of background noise (often called "comfort noise") to simulate the hissing and popping of traditional voice phone connections.