Do I Need a Computer to Use VoIP?

The simple answer to this is – No, you no longer need a computer to use VoIP. You may however, want to use one in order to take advantage of some of VoIP’s features. Read on for a discussion of currently available VoIP technology and what is required to use it.


In the early days of VoIP technology, a computer was required to place telephone calls over the Internet. VoIP technology relied on a device called a softphone to do this. This is a software application that turns your PC into an Internet phone. Another requirement was that both parties to the call had to be running the same softphone software. Broadband or high speed access was also not widely available. While this allowed low-cost long-distance calls to be made over the Internet, these restrictions kept most people from taking advantage of VoIP.


Quite recently, VoIP providers and hardware manufactures began offering a number of different options for accessing VoIP. This includes analog telephone adapters (or ATAs), which allow you to use your regular analog telephones to access your VoIP service. These devices also connect to your high speed Internet modem or router. ATAs eliminate the need for a computer altogether. They contain all of the hardware and software necessary to access your VoIP services. Another fairly recent device is the USB softphone. This is typically in the form of a telephone-style handset or headset that plugs into the USB port on your PC. These devices do require software to be running on the PC to complete the connection to your VoIP services.


Another new device that is available from some providers is an analog telephone system that has the ATA incorporated into it. This type of device typically consists of a base station and ATA combined, and 1 or more cordless handsets. So you can provide VoIP service to your entire home with one of these devices and the proper number of cordless handsets. This device also connects directly to your high speed Internet modem or router.


One other available equipment option is a high speed DSL or cable modem with the ATA incorporated into it. These are currently available from some providers, but be sure to check that the modem is compatible with your ISP – not all cable or DSL modems are the same. With this type of device, the modem is connected to your high speed connection and you plug your analog telephone(s) into the modem.


Finally, the softphone is still an available option from most VoIP providers. You will certainly want to take advantage of a softphone if you plan to use your VoIP service when you travel. And you may find that you prefer using this softphone when you are not traveling. Many people who are online or working at their computer a lot like the efficiency of having everything, including their phone service running on their PC.


As you can see, VoIP has recently become a viable alternative to regular analog telephone service. If you do not use a PC often, but still want to take advantage of the cost savings of VoIP, then you probably will be happiest using an ATA to connect your existing analog telephones to your VoIP service. Your telephones will operate exactly the same as they always have using this method. However, if you are working at your PC or online often, you may find that one of the other options, such as a USB softphone suits your needs best.


One thing is certain, with its advanced features, options and cost savings, VoIP is a technology that deserves serious consideration. Now would be a good time to use the features available at this site to help you evaluate and choose a VoIP service provider

What Kind of Equipment Do I Need for Using VoIP?

The Various Methods of Using VoIP are Listed Below:

• PC to PC
• Internet Phone
• Analogue Telephone Adapter (ATA)
• IP Phone

Each Method is Explained in Detail Below:

The first (and cheapest) way to use VoIP is from PC to PC. With this method you can make free Internet phone calls. All that is required is a PC connected to a broadband internet connection, and a headset consisting of earphones and microphone connected to the soundcard of your computer.

You will also need to download and install VoIP software. The most popular software is called Skype. Gizmo, Free World Dialup, and Net2Phone are some of the other big names. With the software installed, invite all your friends to download the same software and when someone is up and running, give them a call!

VoIP software is free to download, and allows you to make completely free VoIP calls to other users of the same software, regardless of distance. Free VoIP calls can be made anywhere in the world using the PC to PC method.

Features such as call display, call forwarding, voicemail, and conference calls are included at no extra charge as long as both parties are using computers.

VoIP software, (also known as ‘soft phones’) such as Skype, can also be used to connect to land-line phones - that is, phones which are not connected directly to the Internet. This type of call is usually not free but the cost is much lower than what your telephone company would charge you. Also, some VoIP services allow you to make calls to cellular phones. People receiving land-line or cellular calls do not need any extra equipment or software. The only time that both parties would need a particular VoIP software/soft-phone is when they are making PC to PC calls.

A step up from headsets is Internet phones. These feel a lot more like 'real' telephones - they ring, they have regular number pads, and you use them like traditional telephones. They plug into the USB port or sound card of your computer. These phones are still considered soft phones because you need VoIP software installed on your computer to make and receive telephone calls.

The next (and most common) way to use VoIP is by using a traditional analogue phone. Instead of plugging your phone into the usual telephone adapter in the wall, it needs to be plugged into an Analogue Telephone Adapter (ATA). The purpose of an ATA is to convert the analogue signal (your voice) into digital data, ready to be sent over the internet. An ATA is simple to use. It connects to a broadband modem - either a DSL modem connected to your traditional phone line or a cable modem which attaches to your cable TV connection. Any traditional analogue telephone can be plugged into an ATA. You do not even need a computer in the house to use this type of VoIP connection.

Another requirement for setting up VoIP in this way is that you will need to set up an account with a VoIP Service Provider, such as Vonage, or Packet8. VoIP Service Providers offer a variety of low cost services, and once you register with a provider, you will be able to make VoIP calls. ATA's are usually provided free of charge when you sign up with a VoIP service provider.

Using an ATA for Internet phone calls is transparent. You simply pick up the phone and dial a number just as you would with your regular phone service. Anybody calling your phone number will not be aware that you are using VoIP instead of PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network).

As previously mentioned, this is the most common way VoIP is being used, as it allows you to continue using equipment you already have and saves you buying lots of newer equipment.

To summarise ATA, the only requirements for this method are a traditional analogue phone, a broadband connection, an ATA device to connect your phone to the broadband modem, and finally, an account with a VoIP Service Provider.

The final way to set up VoIP is by using an IP Phone. Don't confuse IP phones and Internet Phones. IP phones plug directly into the modem, but Internet phones plug into the sound card or USB port of your computer. An IP Phone will look similar to a traditional analogue telephone. The main difference is that it can be connected directly to a broadband modem. It will also contain the extra circuitry to convert the sound of your voice into digital data ready to be transmitted to the recipient via the internet.

IP phones also have the advantage of having all your phone numbers stored in the phone as well as a display screen which gives you information about incoming calls. As with the previous method, you will also need to set up an account with a VoIP Service Provider, such as Vonage or Packet8. These providers may also supply you with IP Phones when you sign up.

What is Skype ?

Skype is a software application that allows users to make voice and video calls and chats over the Internet. Calls to other users within the Skype service are free, while calls to both traditional landline telephones and mobile phones can be made for a fee using a debit-based user account system. Skype has also become popular for its additional features which include instant messaging, file transfer, and videoconferencing. The network is operated by Skype Limited, which has its headquarters in Luxembourg. Most of the development team and 44% of the overall employees of Skype are situated in the offices of Tallinn and Tartu, Estonia.
Unlike other VoIP services, Skype is a peer-to-peer system rather than a client–server system, and makes use of background processing on computers running Skype software; the original name proposed – Sky peer-to-peer – reflects this.
Some network administrators have banned Skype on corporate, government, home, and education networks, citing reasons such as inappropriate usage of resources, excessive bandwidth usage, and security concerns.
Website : http://skype.com/