Voice over Internet protocol...or Voip for short. Yet another new technology buzzword to add to the constantly growing list. But this is one word you should get used to seeing because you will be seeing more and more of it over time. Voice over Internet protocol...or Voip for short. Yet another new technology buzzword to add to the constantly growing list. But this is one word you should get used to seeing because you''ll be seeing more and more of it over time. While Voip technology is certainly not new (in fact it''s been around since 1995), it is certainly gaining momentum at a rapid pace. So what do you need to know about it? Here''s some basic explanation of what it is so you can make a better decision as to whether it''s right for you.

Without going into technical details, Voip technology actually breaks down your voice into data that can be interpreted by a computer, transmitted across the broadband connection to the receiving end, then the digital data on the receiving end is put back together to an analog sound which ends up being very close to the original sound. The end result, while not perfect or as good as a normal telephone yet, is actually more than adequate to hold a conversation.

You might be thinking "if its not as good as a telephone then why would I consider it?" Well, the main advantage of using Voip service is the cheap cost. Not only is it cheaper then using a regular phone service, but you will be able to get additional features like caller ID that cost more if you use a regular phone service.

So now that you know the extreme basics of how Voip works and the main advantages, what do you need to get started? The first thing you will need is a broadband/cable modem connection. This is the main requirement. Without this you will not be able to use it. You will also need a router since you will be sharing your modem with your IP telephone, which is the third piece of equipment you will need. So once you have the three necessary pieces of equipment you''re all set. All you need to do is plug the phone into the router and you''re ready to choose a provider.

Choosing a provider is simply a matter of which provider you feel most comfortable with. They all offer different options and different providers have different advantages. It really depends on what you''re looking for. If you plan on making a lot of long-distance phone calls then you will want to choose one that has the cheaper long-distance plan. It is really no different then choosing a phone company for a regular phone.

By Will Moore