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What Is Voice Over IP?

VoIP stands for "Voice Over Internet Protocol" (also referred to as "Internet Voice" or even "Broadband Phone"). The purpose of VoIP is for making telephone calls over a computer's high speed Internet connection instead of over your regular (or analog) phone line. With a VoIP phone service, you can realize substantial savings on local and long distance phone calls since VoIP providers typically charge a low monthly rate for unlimited phone service.

Voice Over IP is NOT available for dial up. It requires a broadband connection. What VoIP technology does is to convert your voice transmissions into data packets which are then sent through your broadband Internet connection. In the past, VoIP services had a severe limitation in that you could only call other people who were also using a VoIP service. The technology has grown past that limitation and most major VoIP providers now enable you to call any telephone number, including local, long distance, mobile, and international.

The service requires software for your computer, a high speed Internet connection (either DSL, Cable, Fiber or even Satellite), and either a special VoIP-enabled phone or an adapter for your current phone. Typically, you will get the software and other necessary equipment directly from the VoIP provider you choose. Currently, the marketplace is seeing a literal explosion of Voice Over IP providers, some of which are brand new companies and others are your regular Internet Service Providers that are adding VoIP to their product lines.

At Velocity Guide, we recommend going with well-known providers, usually the same ones which provide your current high speed Internet connection. Companies such as Comcast, Time Warner, AT&T and Verizon will usually offer a special bundled price when you have more than one service with them. You can also bet that these companies will still be around in a few years. Most of the "no-name" VoIP providers that have emerged over the past year or two have uncertain futures and no proven track record of service. VoIP is a very new technology and its marketplace is sure to undergo many changes over the next few years.

If you are curious as to why Voice Over IP would be superior to your current analog phone service, see "What Are The Advantages Of VoIP?".

	Broadband Phone Providers		Questions About Voice Over IP
	NetZero Voice VoIP		What Is Voice Over IP?
	Comcast Digital Phone Service		How Does VoIP Work?
	Time Warner Digital Phone		What Are The Advantages Of VoIP?
	Verizon VoiceWing Service		Are There Problems With VoIP Service?
	AT&T CallVantage VoIP		Can I Use VoIP With Satellite?

For a complete overview of VoIP services, return to our Broadband VoIP section page to see our listing of VoIP providers, articles and answers to FAQs.