Expanding Use of VOIP Technology

The advancement in technology has caused abundant changes especially in the field of communication. One form of technology that offers a great deal of convenience to the way people communicate nowadays is the use of Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP). It is a technology that allows the users to make voice calls using a broadband Internet connection rather than a regular phone line.

VOIP is starting to gain popularity as users learn about its advantages. For one, VOIP produced revolutionary changes in the business sector. It is proven to be very beneficial in companies because VOIP can keep them away from high expenses on phone calls. Since the costs are low compared to the traditional telecommunication systems, businesses can now talk all over the world to their clients, workers and to anyone that they need to talk to. Another appealing feature is conference calling, which provides a company a better way for communication through holding conferences between the management, the workforce and even with the clients. As such, connecting is easy, they no longer need to travel long distances, and hence their time as well as financial resources are saved. Aside from the aforementioned feature, VOIP also comes with a bunch of innovative communication features such as call forwarding, call waiting, caller ID, three-way calling and voice mail. All of these services are free of charge, whereas in traditional telecommunications companies you have to pay extra before you can avail it. Noticeably, a number of enterprises are now shifting to VoIP as their main communication instrument because of these various features. It is not merely the business sector, who widely accepted this technology. It is also embraced by individuals; they use it in their everyday lives as they connect to their families and friends globally.

However, it cannot be denied that some people are still reluctant to use VOIP for the reason that this technology has also some drawbacks. Firstly, it is susceptible to power failure which means that some services don't work when there is electrical interruption. There are also reports that it is not that reliable during emergency situations. Unlike traditional telephones where emergency personnel can automatically identify location and direct the closest emergency personnel to that location, in this service it cannot work this way. Needless to say, these downsides are not without solutions. Most service providers are now developing ways to address the disadvantages and improving the quality of their service is their primary concern. It is essential to look for a service provider that can responsibly offer quality service. Without a doubt, taking advantage of VOIP technology can be an exciting, uncomplicated, and money saving endeavor.

Why Companies Choose VOIP

The rise of technology has given us not only given us improved and convenient living, it has also helped increase globalization, and close cultural gaps through better communication. We see this with simple things that take place every day, such as long distance conversations on the cell phone, instant messaging on the Internet and finally, the newest breakthrough in modern communication: the Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP).

The name Voice over Internet Protocol itself pretty much sums it all up. VOIP is the transmission of voice over the Internet. Unlike regular analog telephones, it sends voice in digital packets or IP packets. Then, users can have the option to receive it either through digital means or analog means. Digital means would include receiving it over the Internet through your computer. Users may use applications like Skype or MSN messenger. Analog means of receiving VOIP calls is quite a tad more complicated. One would need the use of an ADC or an analog-to-digital converter to convert the digital audio packets first before being able to listen to them.

Why Companies Choose VOIP
Companies generally choose VOIP because of its cost-effectiveness, speed and efficiency. Especially with making business calls or calling for multi-location business meetings, VoIP certainly proves better than using regular phone lines.

Cost-Effectiveness
Making VOIP calls is free of charge. Since the audio is sent over the Internet, the company would need only to maintain an Internet subscription and not subscription from a regular telephone company anymore.

Companies also spend less in using VOIP networks because numerous offices in different locations are virtually connected and share common VOIP features like voice mail, caller ID and etc. They can communicate whenever and wherever in no time. All they need is an Internet subscription and the necessary equipment.

Efficiency
VOIP is especially good for business because business members can communicate effectively with it. As opposed to making a regular telephone call, VOIP calls are capable of incorporating multimedia features with it. For example, a business conference may need the assistance of graphs and charts to discuss profit trends. They can do so by just sending in the pictures, videos and graphics of those data and tables in a video conference. They sure won't be able to do this with a normal telephone.

Clarity and Portability
Because they are sent in digital packets, audio signals in VoIP calls are generally clearer than ones that pass through the telephone wires. These digital audio signals are not subject to weather disturbances. However, they do have the tendency to be choppy especially if the audio file being sent is large, but these are immediately patched up by either overlapping them with other data packets or repeating them. Generally they are not noticeable as one data packet consist only of a small portion of the whole audio.

One can also make a VOIP call anywhere as long as there is Internet. VOIP calls are not limited to PC-to-PC networks. Mobile phones are also capable of receiving them.