You Can use Your PC to Call a Phone Via VoIP
What is VoIP? For heavy internet users, this topic may sound passe. But for newbies, this info could actually be a gemstone. Did you know that you can actually use your PC to call a telephone using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)?
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), is a technology that allows you to make voice calls using a broadband Internet connection instead of a regular (or analog) phone line. Some VoIP services may only allow you to call other people using the same service, but others may allow you to call anyone who has a telephone number - including local, long distance, mobile, and international numbers. Also, while some VoIP services only work over your computer or a special VoIP phone, other services allow you to use a traditional phone connected to a VoIP adapter.
How VoIP / Internet Voice Works
VoIP services convert your voice into a digital signal that travels over the Internet. If you are calling a regular phone number, the signal is converted to a regular telephone signal before it reaches the destination. VoIP can allow you to make a call directly from a computer, a special VoIP phone, or a traditional phone connected to a special adapter. In addition, wireless “hot spots” in locations such as airports, parks, and cafes allow you to connect to the Internet and may enable you to use VoIP service wirelessly.
What Kind of Equipment Do I Need?
A broadband (high speed Internet) connection is required. This can be through a cable modem, or high speed services such as DSL or a local area network. A computer, adaptor, or specialized phone is required. Some VoIP services only work over your computer or a special VoIP phone, while other services allow you to use a traditional phone connected to a VoIP adapter. If you use your computer, you will need some software and an inexpensive microphone. Special VoIP phones plug directly into your broadband connection and operate largely like a traditional telephone. If you use a telephone with a VoIP adapter, you’ll be able to dial just as you always have, and the service provider may also provide a dial tone.
Is there a difference between making a Local Call and a Long Distance Call?
Some VoIP providers offer their services for free, normally only for calls to other subscribers to the service. Your VoIP provider may permit you to select an area code different from the area in which you live. It also means that people who call you may incur long distance charges depending on their area code and service.
Some VoIP providers charge for a long distance call to a number outside your calling area, similar to existing, traditional wireline telephone service. Other VoIP providers permit you to call anywhere at a flat rate for a fixed number of minutes.
If I have VoIP service, who can I call?
Depending upon your service, you might be limited only to other subscribers to the service, or you may be able to call anyone who has a telephone number - including local, long distance, mobile, and international numbers. If you are calling someone who has a regular analog phone, that person does not need any special equipment to talk to you. Some VoIP services may allow you to speak with more than one person at a time.
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Thanks for the information. It’s interesting that I got an iPod touch and I’ve heard of people adding a microphone to the connector to use VOIP. Now I understand how it works. Then again, if I wanted to use it as a phone, I’d have gotten an iPhone
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[…] a PC in one of the cafes here in my Ilocos Norte. Damn! I even wrote a few days ago about Using Your PC to Call a Telephone via VoIP and I’m really hell bent on doing that using my unit to defray expenses on overseas […]
Hello kuya jess,
VoIP is like the new trend nowadays in telecoms industry. Most of the international prepaid calling cards calls goes thru VoIP. It’s cool coz you can make calls as long as you have internet connection, but the downfall is not all calls can be of good quality coz it all still depends on the internet connection from both ends.
This is what we are using in our calling cards business :]
twinks’s last blog post..A Story About Nadia..
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Twinks,
That’s true. My friend is using VoIp to call his mom in the US but the calrity of conversation is still dependent on the stability of internet connection. You have a calling cards business? Wow! Ikaw pala ang mapera fren.
jessie’s last blog post..Connect and Hook Up With Celebrities
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I agree VoIP is an up and coming technology especially here in the US. I have personally used several different companies with not a lot of satisfaction. Skype works okay if you are calling another Skype user but that is the only way it is free. There is a huge shift that is going on from Analog to Digital service especially as high-speed becomes the only option at some point. There are other options out there that are exceptional.
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