VOIP stands for Voice Over IP and describes the transmission of spoken language with the help of the Internet Protocol. It is synonymous with the group of software and hardware, that can be used to make phone calls in this form.
While in the early days of VOIP headsets were used to realize this function with computers, there are nowadays many devices that do not differ from conventional phones – in their appearance. It is also possible, to call other VOIP ports as well as regular phones.
Advantages of Voice Over IP
Voice Over IP has several advantages.
First, cost can be drastically reduced. In earlier times, calls had to be paid with time-dependent rates, depending on time of call and distance of the phone called. Especially for business use this was quite expensive. Today, mostly flat rates are in use, that include arbitrarily long phone calls to all distances (in the country), without causing additional costs.
As a user of VOIP you need an Internet flat rate with sufficient speed and a VOIP service. The bandwidth requirement here should not be underestimated. Half-DSL, as available in older part of the telecommuniation network and outside of the bigger cities, is hardly sufficient. Other internet services should not be used simultaneously, if one is using this as phone.
Between participants on the Internet the VOIP-calls are free, they are data transmissions over the Internet flat rate. Only when the called party uses a regular phone line, you will pay a fee. Interestingly, this holds true for international calls as well. To a partner on the net, the call is free, to a partner with regular phone, there is a fee, that should be significantly less than a direct phone-to-phone-call.
Particularly businesses can realize significant saving through IP phones. They can use the (usually) already existing local network and skip the need for an additional infrastructure and cabling.
Another point is the flexibility offered by VOIP. For a regular telephone line, you get usually a number in the local ‚city‘-network, in which you reside. If you move within that network, you can keep the number, if you wish – it will be moved with you. If you, however, move to another city, this is not possible and you get a new number. All potential communication partners have to be informed about this change and will have to update their records.
Using IP phones, this is not necessary. The „number“ is independent of location. An IP phone can be join the net like any other IP device on the Internet and can be reached worldwide. This makes IP telephony also interesting for people who are frequently travelling.
Recommendations
- VoIP-Praxisleitfaden: IP-Kommunikation für Sprache, Daten und Video planen, implementieren und betreiben
- VoIP, CTI & ACD in der Praxis: Telefonanlagen für IT-Administratoren
- VoIP für Dummies. Intelligente Internet-Telefonie für Sparfüchse (Fur Dummies)
- Voice over IP – Die Technik: Grundlagen, Protokolle, Anwendungen, Migration, Sicherheit
- SIP – Die Technik: Grundlagen und Realisierung der Internet-Technik – Für VoIP, Videotelefonie, Instant Messaging und Presence Service
