VoIP Phones

VoIP phones are the phones that are used for transmitting audio over Internet using VoIP technology. VoIP Phones have gained popularity for the following reasons:

Great quality
Low cost
Incredible features
Long distance calls for very low price or for free

Requirements For Using VoIP Phones

There are many different ways to use VoIP. The fallowing are necessary for using some of the VoIP services

Computer
High-speed Internet connection
Instant Messaging program
Speakers
Microphone
VoIP phone adapter or VoIP phone

A simple form of VoIP is used with many Instant Messaging programs. For free, a computer user can download an Instant Messaging program, connect their computer speakers and a microphone, and make a free long distance (or international) call to another pc user.

Many Instant Messaging programs are incorporating VoIP services. You can use Yahoo Messenger, AOL, Skype, ICQ, MSN, and Google to make pc-to-pc free phone calls.

VoIP Phone Adapters

Another form of means of communicating with VoIP is VoIP phone adapters. A VoIP phone adapter will connect between your standard telephones, and your Internet modem. Your VoIP phone adapter will come with installation and user instructions.

Steps for installing VoIP phone adapter to your computer:

Power off your computer
Connect the adapter to your Internet modem
Then plug your telephone into the adapter’s phone jack
Power everything back

With this you should be good to use your phone. You will need to make sure that you have VoIP service previously installed.

Types Of VoIP Phones

You can also purchase a VoIP phone, particularly designed for use with your VoIP service. VoIP phones come in both corded and cordless forms.

Vorded VoIP phones come with many features. You can purchase a desktop phone that includes speakerphone, Hold, Call Waiting, Transfer, Speed Dial, and programmable keys such as Menu, Dial, Cancel, Volume, Transfer, and Headset or Speaker mode.

You can also purchase a 2 line corded VoIP phone. Some of the features that come with a phone like this include Three Way Conferencing, phone to PC, or phone to phone, or phone to gateway direct dial. These VoIP phones are perfect for small businesses or for use in the home office.

Cordless VoIP phone are another popular choice in VoIP phones. VoIP phones are similar to cordless standard phones. These cordless VoIP phones are not the similar as VoIP wireless or VoWi FI phones. They will work in your house, but not outside, apart from your basic VoIP service.

VoWiFi Phones

There is another option and that is called VoWiFi. VoWiFi stands for Voice over Wireless Fidelity. This is the use of VoIP over a wireless connection. By using a wireless network’s access point a VoWiFi phone operates. The benefits of using VoWiFi, is that you can easily pick up network signals or “hotspots” for free.

However, if VoWiFi is out of a wireless range, it will not work, and immediately you will be terminated from your call. If you have a wireless network that you are local to, you will find VoWiFi to be a great advantage and extremely cost effective.

Because of issues with network connectivity, there are Hybrid phones available. A hybrid is a combination of a cellular phone and VoWiFi. A Hybrid will place your call when you are in your cellular network range, and then, to prevent roaming charges, can pick up free VoWiFi by entering a hotspot.

This is a great combination of two technologies and time will tell where the hybrid phone will evolve in the future.

One thing is sure that VoIP is an advancement in telecommunications that is here to stay. The future points to telecommunication methods will be through your computer, instant messaging program, corded VoIP phones, VoIP phone adapters, cordless VoIP phones, VoWiFi or Hybrid phones.