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VoIP can be used in many different ways by installing a software program on your computer and purchasing a headset with microphone adaptors used with regular analogue home phones. You can also purchase a VoIP phone that looks and acts like a normal house phone, but has specially designed chips to improve the quality of your phone call.

VoIP makes it possible for you to make multiple telephone call using your computer network through a data network similar to the internet. It converts the voice signal from your telephone into a digital signal that then travels through the internet, converting back at the other end so you can speak with anyone who has a telephone line.

A VoIP adaptor or VoIP-enable phone converts any audio received into digital packets for internet transmission. It converts your voice using a special SIP protocol. If you were to make a VoIP call to another VoIP phone the complete opposite thing happens on the other end, and your voice is audible from the other. Your VoIP provider’s gateway will decode the call and shoot it off as an ordinary voice call to the telephone exchange (PSTN) if you were to make a call to a mobile or landline.

These programs are best suited for small - mid sized businesses with a few employees, especially those with multiple offices and remote workers. This allows all employees throughout the company at different places to be able to use the same telephone system, cutting the businesses telephone costs. Any calls to another VoIP phone user is free. Other calls are priced at a fair rate.

In order to make VoIP calls you will need to purchase a VoIP service through a provider. They will provide you with a VoIP external number. A standard 256 kb ADSL connection will allow two or three simultaneous calls which are necessary if you expect to use it more often. You can always upgrade to a higher-bandwidth deal.

By Tom Smith