What is VoIP ?

 Internet Voice, also known as Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP), is a technology that allows you to make telephone calls using a broadband Internet connection instead of a regular (or analog) phone line. Some services using VoIP may only allow you to call other people using the same service, but others may allow you to call anyone who has a telephone number - including local, long distance, mobile, and international numbers. Also, while some services only work over your computer or a special VoIP phone, other services allow you to use a traditional phone through an adaptor.

 How Can I Place a VoIP Call?

 Depending on the service, one way to place a VOIP call is to pick up your phone and dial the number, using an adaptor that connects to your existing high-speed Internet connection. The call goes through your local telephone company to a VOIP provider. The phone call goes over the Internet to the called party's local telephone company for the completion of the call. Another way is to utilize a microphone headset plugged into your computer. The number is placed using the keyboard and is routed through your cable modem.

 What Kind of Equipment Do I Need?

 A broadband (high speed Internet) connection is required. This can be through a cable modem, or high speed services such as DSL or a local area network. You can hook up an inexpensive microphone to your computer and send your voice through a cable modem or connect a phone directly to a telephone adaptor.

 What Are Some Advantages of Internet Voice?

 Because VoIP is digital, it may offer features and services that are not available with a traditional phone. If you have a broadband internet connection, you need not maintain and pay the additional cost for a line just to make telephone calls. With many VoIP plans you can talk for as long as you want with any person in the world (the requirement is that the other person has an Internet connection. You can also talk with many people at the same time without any additional cost.

 What Are Some disadvantages of Internet Voice?

 If you're considering replacing your local phone provider with VOIP, there are some possible differences:

(Source FCC VoIP)