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THE BASICS
What Is VoIP?
How does VoIP Work?
What is the Disadvantage of VoIP?
VoIP Glossary

PHONES
VoIP Phone System
VoIP Cell Phone
VoIP Satellite Phone
Free Internet Phones Internet Phone Hardware

BRANDED
Branded Voice over IP

PROVIDERS
VoIP Service Provider
VoIP Broadband Phone Provider
VoIP Phone Services
VoIP Broadband Providers

VoIP Tutorial

How Does VoIP Work?

Before we discover How Does Voip Work let me give you a quick non-technical definition of VoIP.

VoIP is an acronym for "Voice over Internet Protocol" - which means you can make phone calls using your internet connection instead of your phone company and therefore the calls are VERY CHEAP or even FREE.

So a quick definition of VoIP is an Internet Phone

VoIP Tutorial 1

Ok, So how does voip work?

Firstly we need a quick idea of how phones work now, so we can compare. Your ordinary phone which is analog uses circuit switching to transport calls. This means that a large two-way connection is opened between phones for the entire duration of the phone call. During the conversation thousands of miles of switching equipment and copper have to be maintained. This causes a very long chain of devices between the two parties. And can result in many problems - low voltage, poor electrical connections, older equipment, bad weather...

Where as VoIP uses packet switching. Which basically means that instead of an open line it only sends information when there is something to send. It breaks the voice into tiny portions - each packet being a separate item. Each package is sent via a one way connection in the correct order and addressed to the same recipient. The packages pass through the internet routing system and servers in all directions. Each package will be given the least congested route to travel.

The end result of all this is clearer, less echo and more efficient calls. It also means that your computer can be surfing the net, downloading files, receiving email and receive a call at the same time.