What You Need to Know About VOIP
If you’ve been on the internet in the last several years, you have probably heard the term VOIP. It stands for voice over internet protocol, which is a fancy way of saying phones using the internet instead of landlines or mobile phones.
It Is Cloud-Based
There is some confusion about telephone service over the internet and cloud-based telephone service. Now all VOIP service is technically in the cloud. It uses the internet from all over to transmit voice signals. Unlike telephone and telegraph, it is not strictly dependent on physical lines. It can use wi-fi and what is now known as the cloud.
It Is Regulated by the FCC
The FCC regulates VOIP. They govern portability, universal service provisions, 911, calling records, universal services funding and accessibility. Essentially, the FCC helps to keep voice over internet providers fair and in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
It Costs Less
The cost-benefit is easy to see. In many cases, your internet service provider combines the cost of VOIP with its regular service. You can make calls using your regular internet service without paying for an additional phone line. In some cases, when you want to use VOIP to call a landline, you might pay a small fee. You usually see this cost when you use a VOIP provider. Some users that underutilize their network capacity may not see a cost at all.
It Is Easy to Use
If you have a computer with a microphone and speakers, you can use VOIP. You can also purchase a phone or adaptor to use it in a more traditional way if it makes you more comfortable. As speaker and microphone technology advance, using voice over the internet becomes easier. Some people use it without even realizing it when they make a call through Facebook or Skype.
VOIP is easy to understand, easy to use and easy to access. Many telephone service providers are already switching to voice over internet protocols and fiberoptic service rather than undergo the expense of repairing existing telephone lines.
