| While there are a number of ways that VoIP is | | | | very unique possibilities. Some larger |
| currently being used, most individual callers | | | | companies are already utilizing the |
| fall into one of three categories: ATA, IP | | | | technology by conducting all intra-office |
| Phones, and Computer-to-Computer. | | | | calls through a VoIP network. Because the |
| | | | quality of sound is comparable to and in some |
| ATA or Analog Telephone Adaptor, is the most | | | | cases surpasses that of analog service, some |
| common way of using VoIP. This adaptor | | | | international companies are using VoIP to |
| actually allows you to hook up the phone, | | | | route international calls through the branch |
| which is already in your house, to your | | | | of their company, which is nearest the call's |
| computer, and then to your Internet | | | | destination and then completing it on an |
| connection. What the ATA does, is turn the | | | | analog system. This allows them to pay local |
| analog signals your phone sends out into | | | | rates internationally and still utilize the |
| digital signals that can be sent over the | | | | same intra-office VoIP network, as if they |
| Internet. Setting up this system is quite | | | | are calling someone in the next cubicle. |
| simple. It simply requires that you order an | | | | |
| ATA, plug the cable from your phone (which | | | | Advantages of VoIP |
| would normally go into the wall socket) into | | | | |
| the ATA, and then the ATA gets plugged into | | | | While your current long-distance plan covers |
| your computer, which is connected to the | | | | you for only one location, say calls made |
| internet. Some ATAs include software that has | | | | from your office, you can make a call from |
| to be installed on your computer before it is | | | | anywhere where you can get a broadband |
| ready to be used, but basically it is quite a | | | | connection with VoIP. That is because all |
| simple process. | | | | three methods mentioned above, unlike analog |
| | | | calls, send the call information via the |
| The next type of VoIP usage utilizes IP | | | | Internet. Hence, you can make calls from |
| Phones instead of your home phone. The IP | | | | home, on vacation, on business trips and |
| Phone looks just like a normal phone, with | | | | almost anywhere else. With VoIP, you can |
| all the same buttons and cradle. The only | | | | bring your home phone along with you anywhere |
| difference is that instead of having a normal | | | | you go. In the same way, computer-to-computer |
| wall jack connector, it has an Ethernet | | | | connections imply that as long as you have |
| connector. So, instead of plugging in your IP | | | | your laptop and a broadband connection, you |
| phone to the wall jack (like you would with a | | | | are ready to go. |
| regular analog phone), it is plugged directly | | | | |
| into your router. This option allows you to | | | | There are also some nifty benefits to having |
| circumvent your personal computer. It also | | | | your calls transmitted over the Internet. For |
| means that you will not have to install any | | | | example, some VoIP service providers allow |
| software because it is all built into the | | | | you to check your voicemail via your e-mail, |
| handset. In addition, with the availability | | | | while others allow you to attach voice |
| of Wi-Fi IP phones, subscribing callers can | | | | messages to your e-mails. |
| make VoIP calls from any Wi-Fi hot spots. All | | | | |
| these features make IP Phones an extremely | | | | The Future of VoIP |
| exciting option. | | | | |
| | | | While most analysts believe that it will take |
| Lastly, the simplest and cheapest way to use | | | | at least another decade before companies and |
| VoIP is through computer-to-computer calls. | | | | telephone providers make the full switch to |
| These calls are entirely free, meaning that | | | | VoIP, the potential for VoIP technology's use |
| there is no need for any calling plans. The | | | | today is already quite astounding. A report |
| only things you need are the software (which | | | | by the Forrester Research Group predicts that |
| can be found for free on the internet), a | | | | by the end of 2006, nearly 5 million U.S. |
| good internet connection, a microphone, | | | | households will be using VoIP phone service. |
| speakers and a sound card. Except for your | | | | With the savings and flexibility that VoIP |
| monthly internet service fee, there is | | | | technology already offers, and new advances |
| literally no cost for making these calls, no | | | | just ahead on the horizon, we can expect |
| matter how many you make. | | | | those numbers to escalate further in the |
| | | | future. |
| For large companies, VoIP also offers some | | | | |