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Voice Over IP: Most Popular Articles

These articles are the most popular over the last month.
BlackBerry VoIP Solutions
VoIP on BlackBerry - VoIP allows you to power up your BlackBerry device to make cheap or free calls, both local and international. Plus it gives you lots of features that you wouldn't get with your cellular provider.
ooma Review
ooma Review - ooma is a VOiP service that allows completely free calls to all users, landline and mobile, to the US and Canada, and very cheap international calls. ooma rids you of monthly bills. You just have to buy the device once off and you never pay after that for making calls.
Understanding switching
Difference between circuit switching and packet switching. What are switching and routing, and what are packets? Learn how packet switching makes VoIP better.
Top VoIP Service Providers
VoIP Service Providers - Most households and small businesses wanting to replace their existing phone lines with VoIP choose among the residential subscription-based service providers. Here is a list of the top service providers of this type.
Definition
A router is a device in computer networking that forwards data packets to their destinations, based on their addresses. A router can also be said to do switching, but a router is different from a switch. The latter is simply a device to connect machines to form a LAN.
Fring - Free Mobile VoIP
Fring is a VoIP application and service that allows free mobile phone calls, chat and instant messaging. It is a softphone that can be directly installed on a smart phone and works on 3G, GPRS or Wi-Fi network.
Server
Short definition of a server
VoIP Explained
VoIP - Also called Internet Telephony, VoIP (short for voice over IP) uses the Internet and other IP networks to make phone calls. VoIP allows you to make calls locally and internationally for very cheap and often for free. Besides the cost benefits, VoIP also offers a wide range of additional features that spice up your communication experience.
Most Popular VoIP Softphones
VoIP Software - Software-based VoIP providers often provide softphones, which are applications software that act as a phone on your computer, along with their service. Skype is an example. Here is a list of the common softphones and services, with lots of alternative to Skype
Why Switch to VoIP?
VoIP Pros - Why should you use VoIP? What are its advantages and how does it make voice communication better than regular PSTN phone? Here is a list of advantages and benefits of using Voice over IP.
Protocols
What is a protocol? Examples of protocols.
VoIP Problems
VoIP Cons are an issue, although VoIP has great pros. While VoIP's benefits outnumber its disadvantages, you should be aware of the VoIP pitfalls as a user, so that you have a better VoIP experience.
Google Voice Review
Google Voice Review - Google Voice is a phone service that gives you a number to call all your phones. It also gives you voicemail transcription into text, plus many other features. Local incoming and outgoing calls are free, and international calls are very cheap. Here is a review of the service.
Top 5 VoIP Wireless Routers
Top 5 VoIP Wireless Routers - VoIP wireless routers are used for linking wireless LANs to the Internet. They are also called gateways, and they enclose a lot of functionalities. Once you have it working, you can connect any wireless device like IP Phones or even computers to it through Wi-Fi connections. The routers in this list have been chose based on their popularity, performance, ease of use, features and scalability.
Yeigo Profile
Yeigo is a free VoIP application for mobile phones, allowing voice calls, chat, instant message and SMS using your mobile phone, while cutting down the usual cost down to as low as 20 %. No need for complex, expensive and bulky hardware. With this, it sets a new paradigm that can revolutionize the communications world. One of the strong points of Yeigo is that it can be installed on a vast range of mobile phones. It also comes with many new features.
Truphone Review
Truphone review - Truphone is a mobile VoIP service that, through a free application that is installed on a mobile phone, allows users to make free or cheap local and international calls from their mobile phones. The main target users of Truphone are iPhone and BlackBerry users, while it also aims at those using high-end business phones or smart phones.
Mean Opinion Score (MOS)
Mean Opinion Score (MOS) - Mean Opinion Score (MOS) gives a numerical indication of the perceived quality of the media received after being transmitted and eventually compressed using codecs. MOS is expressed in one number, from 1 to 5, 1 being the worst and 5 the best.
How Much Bandwidth for VoIP?
Bandwidth determines connection speed. It is one of the most important, and in some cases, the most expensive requirements for using VoIP. There are different types of Internet connections giving VoIP bandwidth; which one should you use?
3G Wireless Technology Defined
3G is a popular wireless network technology used mainly with mobile phones for mobile connectivity. In this article, 3G is defined and presented in both technical and practical ways. 3G has become very popular, especially with multimedia transfer to and from mobile phones and handsets. 3G also allows mobile users to make cheap and free calls using VoIP technology.
VoIP For Mobile Phones
VoIP for Mobile Phones - If you intend to considerably cut down the cost of your mobile calls, here is a list of VoIP services that can allow you to save up to 95% on mobile communication. Part of some services are even free.
Top 5 Wireless IP Phones
Top 5 Wireless IP Phones - Wireless IP phones are becoming very popular within VoIP networks due to the fact that they allow mobility and scalibility. Here is my top list.
What is SkypeOut?
If you want to phone someone from your Skype softphone using your computer, you can do so using SkypeOut, which allows you to make phone calls to just anyone with a PSTN phone or cell phone, and not just a Skype softphone user.
A Serious Skype Alternative
Gizmo allows you to make free calls to landline and mobiles phones to 60 countries, and offers free voicemail service. It presents itself as a serious competitor to Skype.
VoIP Call-Recording
Thanks to VoIP call-recording tools, you record your phone calls and conversations and save them for later use. While this can be trivial for personal use, it does have great managerial value for businesses.
Introduction to Skype
What is Skype? With more than 350 million registered users, Skype is the most popular voice communication service in the world. The Skype service comes with an application software, which is why many people think of Skype as being only a software, overlooking the service behind and all it brings and implies.
Anonymous Phone Numbers
Annonymous Phone Numbers - Virtual Phone Numbers - Freaked to give out your real phone number? Here is a list of free and paid services that allow you to make and receive phone calls without giving out your real phone number. These services will give you a fake phone number that you could give here and there and even publish on the net, and never fear spamming again.
VoIP Voice Quality Factors
Voice Quality in VoIP - There are a number of factors that directly affect VoIP voice quality, namely bandwidth, your equipment, the location of your hardware, weather conditions and compression algorithms. Here is how you can try and get decent VoIP voice quality.
Ethernet
What is Ethernet? Ethernet is the protocol that controls data transmission over a Local Area Network. It is by far the most popular and most commonly used protocol for LANs.
Quality of Service - QoS and V
QoS and VoIP - Quality of Service is an important issue in VoIP service provision. QoS is the differentiation between different types of traffic and classes of service such that one is favored over the other in terms of bandwidth utilization. In VoIP, QoS considerations favor voice traffic.
FAQ: Free Mobile Skype Calls
Free Skype Mobile Calls - Here are ways in which you can make completely free calls on your mobile phone using Skype, to call people locally or internationally. Skype is not that much enhanced for mobile calling, but its popularity requires it to be mobile for so many people.
What is an IP Address?
IP Addresses - What is an IP address and how does it work? An IP address is a unique address used to locate and identify a device over a network. That device can be an electronic device, a computer, a server, a router or even an IP phone. It is the addressing used for the transmission of data packets over a network working with the IP protocol.
Getting Started With VoIP
Getting Started With VoIP - Once you are aware of the benefits VoIP can bring to your communication experience, you are very likely to decide to get started with VoIP, or at least give it a try. So what next? In this piece of content, we see the different things you need to have and do to get started with VoIP
Common VoIP Hardware Devices
VoIP Hardware Equipment - Here is a list of the most common hardware equipment you will use for VoIP: Phone Adapters (ATA), Routers, IP Phones, Headsets and Handsets.
ATA
What is an ATA? Learn about Analog Telephone Adapters and their functions and features, and how they are used to make VoIP connections.
3 Ways of Using VoIP
There are three ways in which you can make a VoIP connection: Computer to computer, phone to phone and computer to phone or vice-versa. Let's see these in more details.
List of Codecs for VoIP
Here is a list of the most common codecs used in VoIP for voice encoding and compression, with comments.
Personal Call-Recording Tools
VoIP Call Recording - Here is a list of some of the most common software tools you can use to record your VoIP calls for your individual use.
VoIPStunt
VoipStunt is an international VoIP service based in Germany. It works in a manner similar to Skype, in that it has a softphone application installable on a computer, and a service which can be obtained online. VoIPStunt has gained some popularity lately among softphone users due to its free calls to PSTN (landline) phones over some common destinations. There is a list of countries to which you can call free, according to www.voipstunt.com, but how free is free? Can it be better than Skype?
Vopium Review
Vopium Review - Vopium offers very cheap international calls over a mobile phone through VoIP. It has the advantage of not requiring an Internet connection through a data plan or Wi-Fi, as it uses the GSM network primarily to route calls through IP networks. Vopium also offers 30 minutes of free calling for trial.
What is an IP Packet?
IP Packets - IP (Internet Protocol) Packets are structure that carry data along over an IP network like the Internet. An IP packet consists of a header, a data payload and a trailer.
VoIP on the iPhone
VoIP Services And Applications for the iPhone - Here are ways for iPhone users to make free or cheap phones calls to any place around the world using their iPhones. The listed VoIP applications and services are compatible with and specifically designed for the iPhone.
VoIP Security Issues
Security Issues in VoIP. While VoIP has become one of the mainstream communication technologies, VoIP users face a series of security threats. Let us see these security issues.
Magic Jack Review
MagicJack is a small device that allows you to make unlimited free calls, without paying monthly bills. You can just plug it to your computer on one side and your regular home phone on the other side and start making and receiving phone calls.
Measuring Your Bandwidth
Online Connection Speed Tests - Bandwidth meters give you an idea of how suitable your connection is for a certain task online, e.g. voice over IP. Let us see how they work, whether they are accurate, how to interpret their results, what factors affect these, and which speed tests to use.
PBX - Private Branch Exchange
What is PBX? PBX stands for Private Branch Exchange. It is a PSTN telephone network used within a private enterprise. Users inside a PBX share outside lines which they use to make phone calls external to the PBX. A PBX specifically made for VoIP is called an IP-PBX. Asterisk is a good open-source PBX software.
Can You Keep Your Number?
VoIP Phone Number Portability - One of the main questions you have to ask yourself before deciding whether to port your number or not is whether the number is actually portable.
What is POTS?
What is PSTN? Public Switched Telephone Network
The Internet Protocol (IP)
IP Protocol - What is the Internet Protocol (IP) and how it works. This article talks about the protocol, IP routing, voice and IP, the TCP/IP protocol suite, IP packets and IP addresses.
Softphone defined
Softphone is software that allows you to make phone calls using a computer. It is a term used in contrast with hardware-based phone calling where dedicated hardware is used for making calls.
Free Calls To Any Phone
How To Make Completely Free Phone Calls To Any Phone Worldwide - Here is a list of things you can do to make calls to any phone, be it mobile or fixed, anywhere in the world for free, without paying a dime, and without being limited by accessibility.
List of VoIP Features
VoIP offers an abundant amount of interesting, useful and enhanced features, many of which come free with service packages from VoIP service providers. Which feature you want to include in your VoIP service package will depend on your communication needs. Here is a list of VoIP features you can get with your service provider.
Phone Number Portability
Phone Number Portability With VoIP - Will My VoIP Service Provider Allow Me to Keep my Existing Phone Number? Yes, and in some cases, No. It depends on the company.
Microsoft OCS 2007
Microsoft Office Communications Server (OCS) 2007 is the battle horse of Microsoft in the VoIP arena. It is an enterprise communications tool that provides a series of integrated tools for unified communications. Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 focuses mainly on instant messaging, presence monitoring, application sharing, file transfer, and voice and video communication; aiming at enhancing collaboration with enterprises.
Linksys SPA942 IP Phone Review
Linksys SPA 942 IP Phone Review - The LinkSys SPA942/SPA941 phone is very attractive and perfectly designed for a nice look and feel. It is the phone to buy if you want to communicate professionally and in beauty. It is also quite easy to use. The phone gives a good performance. There is nothing much to complain about it, save its high price.
Use PSTN Phones With VoIP
Want to make use of your conventional phone sets while using VoIP service? Here is how to connect all your home (or office) phones to you VoIP service.
VoIP Service - Which Type?
VoIP Service - Before choosing a VoIP service, you have to decide which type suits you best. Choosing the right VoIP service allows you to derive the maximum benefits. The type of VoIP service you choose will depend on how you will communicate - at home, in the office, with your mobile or on your computer.
Wide Area Network
What is a WAN? A wide area network is a large network covering cities, countries and continents. A WAN is also called an internetwork, and is made up of many LANs connected together. The Internet is the largest WAN we have.
Which to Choose?
Many people considering VoIP as a communication solution get confused about whether to use an ATA (Analog Telephone Adapter) or a router for deploying VoIP at home or their office. Let us see where to use what.
The Wi-Fi Protocol
Wi-Fi is a very common wireless technology that was developed in the 1990s. It is used to connect machines in a LAN. So, Wi-Fi is like a wireless version of Ethernet.
Latency
What is latency and how can it affect voice quality in VoIP? Latency is the time between the moment a voice packet is transmitted and the moment it reaches its destination. It of course leads to delay and finally to echo. It is caused by slow network links. This is what leads to echo. 	
Special Phones Used for VoIP
IP Phones - There exist a number of phones which are designed specially to be used for VoIP. We normally call them VoIP Phones, IP Phones or SIP phones. These phones very much resemble a normal POTS phone, but they are equipped with an internal ATA.
VoIP / PSTN: How Do They Pair?
How Does VoIP Allow Calls Between IP Networks And PSTN? VoIP works on IP networks and the PSTN uses landline networks with phone numbers. How can these two different technologies cohabit so well to make voice conversations from your phone or IP phone to any landline PSTN or mobile phone. It is all the work of address translation.
Skype Mobile Service Review
Your mobile communication cost can be cut down using Skype's new mobile phone service. You can just download and install the softphone application on your 3G or WiFi mobile phone or handset and register for free. You can communicate for free with other Skype users or pay cheap international rates for users of landline or mobile phone networks.
Voxofon Review
Voxofon is one of the many phone services that offer the possibility of making international calls using mobile phones for very cheap, compared to the high rates of pure GSM and other traditional services. Calls are initiated using GSM network and the rest is handed over to VoIP.
Top 4 ATAs
Top 4 Phone Adapters (ATAs) - An ATA (Analog Telephone Adapter) is a device which makes the link between a PSTN phone line and your VoIP network. You should have one if you don't want to buy expensive IP phones. ATAs are connected to the ADSL router on one side and to your phone on the other. Here is my top list of ATAs.
Yackie Mobile VoIP Review
Mobile VoIP - Making and receiving cheap mobile calls is possible today, but the requirements are still obstacle. Yackie Mobile puts VoIP on a SIM card, thus making cheap mobile telephony more practical and convenient.
Skype After 5 Years
Skype - Is It Still The Best VoIP Tool? Skype is 5 years old and 340 million users strong. How does it compare with other VoIP applications of its like?
What Does a PBX Do?
PBX - A PBX (Private Branch Exchange) is a switch station for telephone systems. It consists mainly of several branches of telephone systems and it switches connections to and from them, thereby linking phone lines.

The main technical roles of a PBX are: To switch between telephone users thereby creating connections; To make sure the connection remains in place properly by keeping its resources; To record the quantities, statistics and metering related to the calls

Wireless VoIP
Wireless VoIP is the deployment of VoIP over a wireless LAN, using the Wi-Fi technology. It has got the great advantage of mobility, but suffers form someo shortcomings as well.
Top Connection Speed Tests
Online Speed Tests - Not all online bandwidth speed tests are good and accurate, but there are some that stand out. Here is my list of preferred online connection speed tests.
IP Routing
IP Routing - Routing is the process during which data packets are forwarded from one machine or device (technically referred to as a node) to another on a network until they reach their destinations.
VoIP On Mobile Phones
It is great to bring the benefits of VoIP to your mobile phone. It allows you to considerably cut down your mobile communication costs. You can also, in certain cases, make calls for free, even international calls. But there are certain prerequisites that you already need to have, like a phone compatible with the service and a data connection plan.
Things to Clarify
What should you know before registering with a VoIP service provider? Here are top 8 issues to consider before signing up for a VoIP service, in order to enjoy a hassle-free VoIP service.
Device-Based Services Compared
Device-Based VoIP - Here is a comparison between ooma, Phonegnome and MagicJack, the three main device-based VoIP services, those that rid you of monthly bills.
Codecs Demistyfied
VoIP Codecs - A codec is al algorithm used to encode and compress voice signals into digital data, thus making it lighter for transmission over the Internet. VoIP uses codecs for voice transmission.
IPvaani Review
IPvaani VoIP Service Review - IPvaani is a VoIP service that allows users to communicate for free at any time for any duration. There are no monthly bills. Users only have to acquire once off the necessary hardware and use it to make unlimited local and international phone calls for free. It does not depend on a computer, unlike Skype and other service like it, but also has the drawback of allowing communication only to contacts using IPvaani as well.
Tools For Video Calls
video conferencing - Video calls and video conferencing considerably enhance your communication experience. Video conferencing is now affordable for everyone, with very little investment on hardware. It requires only a webcam and headset. Many applications and services are free.
MiFi Definition
What is MiFi? MiFi definition with its advantages and disadvantages. MiFi is a small device that allows you to carry a Wi-Fi hotspot along with you and remain connected anywhere you go.
Top 5 IP Phones
Top 5 IP Phones - IP Phones or SIP phones are special phones used for VoIP communication. They can be plugged directly to your router without using an ATA because they already have an ATA embedded. IP phones are very sophisticated and offer many hard and soft functionalities. Here is my top list based of performance, features, connectivity and appearance.
Making Data Lighter
Voice signals in VoIP calls are encoded into digital data, which are compressed so as to make it less bulkier for transmission over the Internet. The software used for compression are called codecs.
How To Save Money On Calls
Here is how you can save lots of money making local and international calls on your mobile phone, handheld or portable device, with VoIP. This will allow you to get rid of the expensive GSM and roaming rates. You can even make completely free calls worldwide in certain cases.
Turn iPod Touch Into A Phone
Here is how you can turn your Apple iPod Touch into a mobile phone and make free or cheap local and international calls on it.
The FCC and its Functions
The FCC (Federal Communications Commission) is an independent body which operates in the United States, and directly responsible to the US Congress. The role of the FCC is to regulate radio, television, wires, satellite and cable communicate within and between states of the US.
VoxOx Review
VoxOx is an application that allows you to do voice calling, video conferencing, emailing, instant messaging, texting, social networking and faxing in one same application. It also acts as a VoIP softphone.
What is BlackBerry?
BlackBerry - Learn more about BlackBerry, the handheld device primarily designed for email, with many other functions.
Tuitalk Review
Tuitalk is a voice service that allows users to make completely free international calls to any phone, not just computer-based softphones, as is the case with most computer-based applications. The calls can however be made only through a computer, and for a limited time of 10 minutes per day. Also, the number of destinations is quite limited, but the most popular countries are listed.
Ooma - No-Monthly Bill Phone
ooma - ooma allows you to make free unlimited free nationwide calls for free. ooma is one of the no-monthly bill companies, with which you only buy a device once and use it to make free phone calls ever after. Read more on the ooma device and the ooma service here.
What is SkypeIn?
Skype In is the service you should have if you want to receive a call from a PSTN or cell phone on your computer using Skype. This is a very interesting option, especially if you want to be reachable from anywhere locally as well as internationally while on the move.
RF.com Review
RF.com is an application that allows you to use your mobile anywhere there is a GSM network to make VoIP calls. You do that through using your existing residential account with Vonage, Gizmo etc., or for free to services like Skype, GoogleTalk, MSN Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger, and other IM-based voice calling services, even without an actual account with the service.
SIP Profile
What is SIP? The Session Initiation Protocol is complementary with VoIP since it provides signaling functions to it. Apart from VoIP, it is used in other multimedia technologies as well, like online games, video and other services. SIP provides the necessary signaling for creating, modifying and terminating sessions with one or more communicating participants.
911 -Emergency Calls with VoIP
911 - Does your VoIP service allow you to make emergency calls like the 911? Here is what you can do to make sure you can make these calls any time.
iChat Profile
The lastest Mac OS X, Leopard, has brought around an enhanced version of iChat, its embedded voice and video VoIP application. Apple has bundled new features with with this new version of iChat that Mac chatters used to look for in third party applications.
Business Call Recording Tools
VoIP Call Recording - Here is a list of some of the most common tools your organization can use for VoIP call recording. These tools are mainly for those companies that use an IP PBX, and most of them do more than recording VoIP phone calls.
VoIP Solutions For SMBs
Top VoIP Solutions For Small and Medium Businesses. Here is a list of the top providers of VoIP solutions to be deployed in small and medium businesses.
Do I Have Enough Bandwidth?
Here, we try to figure out whether your bandwidth is sufficient for your VoIP needs, and how you can know whether it is so. Bandwidth, or connection speed, is one of the main factors affecting VoIP call quality.
Factors to Consider
Once you have made the decision to switch to VoIP for the communication needs of your home or company, it is important to take your time to compare the different services you have at hand. Gather as much information as possible before making your decision.
Number Portability Obstacles
Number Portability - What could prevent you from using your existing old phone number with VoIP? The main factors are discussed in this article.
Tollfreeforwarding.com Review
tollfreeforwarding.com review - tollfreeforwarding.com is a service that offers international toll-free virtual phone numbers in more than 75 numbers and 300 cities around the world. It aims at providing an international presence for businesses worldwide.
Device Based VoIP Services
Device Based VoIP services are good for people who don't want to get bothered with monthly bills. You buy a piece of hardware and you make free calls ever after.
3 Ways of Faxing over IP
How To Send Fax over IP - Here are ways you can send and receive fax messages over an IP network and the Internet. IP faxing allows you to send fax messages locally and internationally for cheap and at times for free, and has many other advantages.
Unified Communications
Unified Communications - Unified communications (UC) is a new technological architecture whereby communication tools are integrated so that both businesses and individuals can manage all their communications in one entity instead of separately. In short, unified communications bridges the gap between VoIP and other computer related communication technologies.
Reasons Driving Companies
The top reasons why companies want to adopt VoIP.
Anonymous Numbers
Jetnumbers Review - JetNumbers.com provides Virtual Phone Numbers, International Call Forwarding service in over 60 countries and more than 3000 area codes. You can use it to protect your personal number and hence your privacy.
Echo in VoIP Calls
Echo is annoying effect that you experience over a phone call when you hear your own voice back after some milliseconds. The amount of time after which you hear the echo varies depending on the factors that are causing the echo.
Factors Affecting Results
How Accurate Are Speed Tests - There are a number of factors that affect the accuracy of the results of a connection speed test. They are explained here.
SMS
SMS stands for Short Message System. As you must already know, it allows you to send a text message from your mobile phone to another person on their mobile phone. I say mobile phone here because the whole world associates SMS with mobile phones; so my definition above it a little but technically twisted: today, you can send SMS using your fixed phone and VoIP phone as well.
Delay
Delay in VoIP is caused when packets of data (voice) take more time than expected to reach their destination. This causes some disruption is the voice quality. However, if it is dealt with properly, its effects can be minimized.
1ButtonToWifi Review
1ButtonToWifi Review - 1ButtonToWifi is a VoIP service based on a device that allows you to make long distance and international calls for very cheap - starting at 2 cents per minute. You can also use your mobile phone with the service. Calls from one 1ButtonToWifi box to another are free.
Vonage Review
Vonage Review - Vonage is a leading VoIP service provider company with more than two million subscribers. Read its review with pros and cons.
What Can You Do With Skype?
This article will help you figure out quickly what you can get out of Skype and maybe change the way you use it, or even start using it. Here is a brief overview of Skype’s features, categorized in several groups, each containing numerous features
Is Windows 7 VoIP-Friendly?
Is Windows 7 VoIP-Friendly? Will Your VoIP Applications Work on Windows 7? Let's see how Windows 7 treats voice communication. Many VoIP applications still have to readjust to Windows 7, and most already are working on it. Windows 7 even has improvements for voice communication.
IP Faxing Explained
Learn how to send fax messages over IP networks and over a VoIP line. That allows you to save money on faxing, and benefit from other features. IP Faxing, also called Faxing over IP or FoIP, can allow you to send fax messages for very cheap and even for free, both locally and internationally.
What is IPv6?
IPv6/IPng - IPv6 is a new and improved version of the IP protocol. In this article, you will learn what IP is, what its limitation is, and how this has led to the creation of IPv6, of which there is also a brief description.
The Verizon Hub - Pros & Cons
The Verizon Hub, with its nice features, touchscreen and impressive design, comes as an unprecedented VoIP device. But is it worth the cost? Let's weigh the pros and cons.
Economic Crisis Good For VoIP
What will be the effects of the economic crisis in the US on the VoIP industry? It May Be An Opportunity For The VoIP Industry. Here is how.
VoIP Providers
VoIP Providers - One requirement to get started using VoIP is to choose one or more among the numerous VoIP providers. In order to choose a VoIP service, you need to decide what type of VoIP communication you want to have, as the VoIP providers offer different types of services.
Snom 300 IP Phone Review
The Snom 300 phone offers an interesting list of features and an easy menu navigation. The phone is quite neat and compact, thus saving space, but with large buttons. It can be programmed for up to 6 VoIP accounts. It has two Ethernet connectors. It is a good entry-level phone for its price. Models Snom 320 and Snom 360 are similar to it with some advanced features, as we see in this review.
Call Blocking
VoIP Feature - What is Call Blocking and how can it be used?
Caller ID
VoIP Feature - What is caller ID and how can you use it?
Homes and small businesses
Hardware-Based or Subscription-Based VoIP Services are very common for households and small businesses. It is best suited for people who want to use VoIP the same way as they do traditional landline phone. The ATA (phone adapter) can be used to connect existing phones and an ADSL Internet line. No need for a PC.
Voice over IP Defined
Voice over IP Defined - Voice over IP allows you to make free or very cheap phone calls locally and internationally. It is also called VoIP and Internet Telephony. Voice over IP also adds more power and spice to your communication experience with its wide array of features and applications.
Call Forwarding
VoIP Feature - What is Call Forwarding and how can you use it with you VoIP service?
IP Phone Features
IP Phone Features - The features that come along with an IP phone are varied depending on their manufacturers, functionalities, and the solutions they are supposed to bring. They include LCD screen, feature keys, network ports, speaker phone, headset jacks, etc.
VoIP vs. IP Telephony
VoIP vs. IP Telephony - Most people use the terms ‘Voice over IP’ (VoIP) and ‘IP Telephony’ interchangeably, equating one to the other. What’s the difference between the two, if there is any?
MO-Call Review
MO-Call Mobile VoIP Service Review - MO-Call is a VoIP service that allows you to use your mobile phone to make cheap or free international calls using your GSM network. You can use MO-Call VoIP service on over 1600 mobile models, including BlackBerry models and the iPhone.
Definition of a Firewall
A firewall is a piece of software (which may be coupled with hardware in some cases) that is designed to protect a private network from unauthorized access. A firewall normally blocks unwanted traffic from the outside to the inside of the network and vice versa.
How is VoIP Pronounced?
How to pronounce VoIP? How is VoIP pronounced, V.O.I.P or voyp?
VoIP Protection Measures
Security in VoIP has not been a very popular subject so far, but with the increasing demand for VoIP, it is becoming an important concern. VoIP security threats are increasing in number. Three things can be done to make VoIP more secure. Let us look at them.
Communications Convergence
VoIP and Communications Convergence - VoIP is leading us towards a convergence of communications. By having a common underlying mechanism and infrastructure, many communications technologies, like Internet access, voice, video and data communication, can be combined and be provided through a single device and over the same network – the convergence of communications.
Making Calls Through PCs
Software Based VoIP Services allow users to make free calls to other people using the same service on their computers to any destination in the world. The calls are make through an application called a softphone installed on a computer or portable device. Read more here on this kind of VoIP service.
Adtran Netvanta 7100 Review
Adtran Netvanta 7100 Review - Adtran Netvanta 7100 is a VoIP system designed for small and medium businesses that do not want to spend huge amounts of money into deploying VoIP and that do not have the skilled personnel required to support large complex systems. The low cost and all-in-a-box integration of many features and functionalities makes this complete system a serious contender on the SMB VoIP market - it is a very good system for small businesses.
Phones You Can Use With VoIP
VoIP Phones - The telephone set is the piece of hardware that is closest to the human being in VoIP. It encloses both input and output for voice, and is the main interface between the user and the technology. There are several types of phones you can use with VoIP: existing PSTN phones, IP Phones, softphones and headsets.
Embed Skype Into Thunderbird
Integrating Skype in Mozilla Thunderbird- It is very convenient to just click on a contact's name or any personal information about them in their email messages or contact details to call them. And the call can be free. This can be achieved by integrating a VoIP softphone service like Skype into your Thunderbird email client. Here are ways in which you can achieve that.
Do VoIP Users Still Need PSTN?
Should You Drop Your Traditional PSTN Landline Phone? Does switching to VoIP necessarily mean eliminating your traditional PSTN (landline) phone service? Should you dump it or keep the line? The answer cannot be a clear yes or no, although it's already is so clear-cut for many people. It is sometimes wiser to keep a basic PSTN line just in case.
UMA Explained
UMA stands for Unlicensed Mobile Access. It is a wireless technology that allows seamless transition between wireless WANS (e.g. GSM, 3G, EDGE, GPRS, etc.) and wireless LAN (e.g. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth). This means that a user can initiate a call over GSM, for example, and the calls switches from the GSM network to the office’s Wi-Fi network once the user walks into range. And vice-versa.
Integrating Skype Into Outlook
Integrating Skype in MS Outlook - It is very convenient to just click on a contact's name or any personal information about them in their email messages or contact details to call them. And the call can be free. This can be achieved by integrating a VoIP softphone service like Skype into your MS Outlook email client. Here are ways in which you can achieve that.
Ways To A Better VoIP Network
Are you getting the most of the VoIP service on your network? Here are 5 ways to improve your VoIP network.
Local Area Network
What is a LAN? A Local Area Network is a relatively small network compared to a WAN. It covers areas like rooms, offices, campuses, buildings etc. Most LANs today run under Ethernet protocol.
PeerMe Review
PeerMe - PeerMe is a free communication tool and service that is quite easy to setup and use through its softphone client. PeerMe's softphone is enriched with many other features that make it more than a softphone: instant messaging, video conferencing etc. You can also use their web interface or download the special versions for WAP and mobile phones. PeerMe is shaping its future by constantly innovating with features.
Internet Fax Services
Internet Fax Services - Here is a list of some of the most prominent web and email Internet fax services. They make the surest and easiest ways of sending fax messages over IP, which, besides making faxing cheaper, gives many advantages over traditional phone-line faxing.
Siemens Gigaset C450 IP Review
Siemens Gigaset C450IP IP Phone Review - The Siemens Gigaset C450IP hybrid phone stands out by working with both VoIP and PSTN connections. It has a color screen with 4096 colors, with polyphonic tones. It supports quality of service (QoS) and can accomodate up to 6 handsets. It can also be used with a battery of 150 hours autonomy within a range of 300m outdoor. It is also quite easy to set up.
Be Reached Wherever You Are
iNum - iNum is a service that provides a global phone number that can be used to ring on your phone anywhere you are in the world. In other words, it transcends boundaries and distances, thereby eliminating the worries of area codes and expensive rates.
Phonegnome Review
Phonegnome - In this review of the Phonegnome VoIP services, we mainly focus on the Phonegnome box, that allows you to make free and cheap calls using your regular phone; and also on the other services Phonegnome offers, like its softphone, business service, mobile service etc.
What is TCP?
TCP - Transmission Control Control. TCP is one of the most important protocols on the Internet and it works in pair with IP (Internet Protocol) to make the TCP/IP suite, which is responsible for providing reliable data transmission over the Internet.
Companies' Hurdles to VoIP
The hurdles that some companies need to cross before feeling easy with VoIP and adopting it. A survey.
Using a Fax Modem for Faxing
If you have a fax modem, you can use it to send and receive fax messages without having a fax machine. The fax modem works on your phone line for faxing. Here is how you can use your fax modem to send and receive fax on Windows.
Yahoo Voice Review
Yahoo Voice Review - Yahoo Voice is part of the very popular Yahoo Messenger IM application and service, and as its name implies, it allows you to phone people worldwide either through PC-to-PC calls or PC-to-phone calls. Yahoo Voice uses VoIP technology and the outward calling part is handled by its partner Jajah. Its strong points are its great popularity, openness with community chatting and its cheap rates for PC-to-Phone calling.
MiFi Review
MiFi Intelligent Mobile Wi-Fi Hotspot 2200 and 2352 Review – MiFi is a small and portable wireless device that gives its carrier a permanent Wi-Fi hotspot wherever he/she goes, thereby remaining connected to the Internet. Developed by Novatel, the MiFi is also called ‘intelligent mobile hotspot’. With a MiFi in a person’s pocket or bag, that cloud remains present everywhere the person goes. Moreover the Wi-Fi cloud allows up to 5 persons to get connected.
3-Way Calling
VoIP Feature - What is 3-Way Calling and how can it be used?
Toll-Free Numbers
VoIP Feature - What are Toll-Free Numbers and how you can use them with your VoIP Service
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