VoIP resource FAQ

VoIP FAQ

1. What is VoIP and How does it works?
2. Why use IP for voice communications?
3. What are advantages and disadvantages of VoIP?
4. How is VoIP voice rated?
5. How do I make a VoIP call?
6. How Do I Know If I have a VoIP Phone Call?
7. What Kind of Equipment Do I Need to make a VoIP call?
8. What is the relationship between codec and VoIP?
9. Is There a Difference Between Making a Local Call and a Long-Distance Call?
10. Can I Use My Computer While I Talk on the Phone?
11. Can I Take My Phone Adapter With Me When I Travel?
12. Does My Computer Have To Be Turned On when making a VoIP Call?
13. Where can I use VoIP?
14. How many phones can I hook up to the ATA device?
15. Can I make 800** calls with a VoIP service?

1. What is VoIP?
VOIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol. It is a technology that allows voice data to be transmitted across the Internet using a system called Internet Protocol. Fundamentally, VoIP uses packet switching instead of switches to send data from one person to another. However, special equipment is needed at both the receiver’s and sender’s end to complete the process.

2. Why use IP for voice communications?
IP is a common protocol and every computer understands this technology so it makes it easy to use for voice transmissions across computer networks.

3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of VoIP?
VoIP calls are cheap, whether it is an international or local call, the rates are pretty much the same. You only pay for the time spent on the internet and these are the fees paid to your ISP. There are no special charges for using VoIP. The main disadvantages of VoIP is that the voice quality is not as good as compared to traditional phone and there can be occasional breaks. In addition you need to have an internet connection in order to make a call and 911 identification is very difficult.

4. How is VoIP voice rated?
Voice quality is rated by a system called Mean Opinion Score (MOS) and standardized by ITU-T. The MOS is graduated on a 5 point scale with 5 representing highest quality.

5. How do I make a VoIP call?
The procedure for placing a VoIP call will depend on the type of equipment you are using. If you are using the PC to Phone/ PC to PC/Phone to PC system, you only need a PC, headset and internet connection to place the call. You simply use the dialing features available in Windows to click on the numbers you want to make the call. If you are using an IP phone, then the device comes with a regular telephone handset alphanumeric arrangement. You plug the Ethernet plug at the end of the cord of the phone to your PC and then press the appropriate buttons to make the call. If you have the ATA equipment, then you need to power it up, then place the phone jack at the end of the device into your regular phone, then dial the number you want.

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6. How Do I Know If I have a VoIP Phone Call?
The call will come through like any other call.

7. What Kind of Equipment Do I Need to make a VoIP call?
You may need an ATA device, an IP Phone, a PC 386 or higher and a headset. If you are setting up a PC to PC VOIP connection you may need the followings:

• PC 386 or higher
• Sound card, full duplex capable
• Network card
• High Speed Internet Connection. It can be Cable, Broadband or DSL.
• Microphone and Speakers or a headset.

8. What is the relationship between codec and VoIP?
For VoIP to work, codec has to transform the signals from analog to digital and vice versa before it can be transported across the computer network.

9. Is There a Difference Between Making a Local Call and a Long-Distance Call?
No there isn’t much difference just as there is no difference in cost in emailing to someone in Nevada or Ohio.

10. Can I Use My Computer While I Talk on the Phone?
Yes, you can.

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11. Can I Take My Phone Adapter With Me When I Travel?
You can use your VoIP service wherever you are once you have high speed internet access.

12. Does My Computer Have To Be Turned On when making a VoIP Call?
No if you are using special adapter and VoIP equipment. If you are using ordinary headset, then you have to turn it on.

13. Where can I use VoIP ?
Anywhere you have broadband connection; you only need to fix your ATA device if you are on subscription from a provider.

14. How many phones can I hook up to the ATA device?
The ATA device has two phone jacks for connection to two phones.

15. Can I make 800** calls with a VoIP service?
Yes, you can dial any 800** number like you would any regular phone number.