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In this article I’m going to explain Internet phone service in simple terms. I think this article will go a long way to helping make a smart decision about whether a switch to high-speed Internet phone service is the right way for you to go.

Let’s start with some definitions

Very often you’ll see Internet phone service referred to by an acronym: VoIP. What this stands for is “voice over Internet protocol.

“Protocol” is another word for “rules. ” So Internet protocols are the rules and technologies that make the Internet possible. It’s a collection of all the rules that everyone follows so that equipment from one vendor is able to communicate just fine with equipment from another vendor.

In brief, Internet protocol says that you take multiple data transmissions (like emails), break them into pieces (or “packets”) and send them along multiple different lines simultaneously. The information is then reassembled at the end and brought to the receiver in the proper way so that it can be easily understood. What this means is that the system is a whole lot more cost-effective — and there is lots of room for future growth.

Here’s how Internet protocol makes Internet phone service possible

In the old days, you were connected to the person you’re talking to buy a copper wire. Your conversation with this other person took up the entire wire — nobody else could use it. This is not very efficient. And as demand for phone service went up, capacity could not keep up with the demand. The phone companies literally could not string enough copper wire fast enough.

The solution? Send the voice messaging using Internet protocols — VoIP.

The companies that owned these networks realized it would make good business sense to attract new customers by offering them cheaper local and long-distance calls when they used Internet phone service. And of course the telephone companies themselves branched out with this service as well.

So that’s how it works.

Now let’s see if we can answer some questions that will help you make an informed decision about whether Internet phone services are for you.

Here’s how you can take advantage of Internet phone service

You have many options to choose from. You can bundle several utilities together, getting high-speed Internet, cable TV and phone service. If you live in an area where this is available that could be a cost-saving solution for you depending on how much you are spending now.

You can also contact your existing phone company to see if they offer Internet phone services.

A third option is to go with an independent Internet phone service company. There are many vendors out there, e.g., Skype, Packet8, and ViOP.com. And these are just a few of the popular Internet phone services out there. Be careful, however, because there’s been a shakeout in the market. Vonage and SunRocket are two companies that recently suffered setbacks and there may be more before the shakeout ends and consolidation takes over.

Will you need a special phone line?

No, but you will need to have your own high-speed Internet connection. And you will also want to have a special interface or adapter that goes between your phone and the Internet connection; otherwise you’ll be limited to making “PC-to-PC” or “PC-to-phone” calls. Once you’ve done that, you’re good to go as far as hardware is concerned.

Conclusion

I hope I have addressed the key issues surrounding your potential switch to high-speed Internet phone service. So don’t wait — check out your local cable and phone companies to see who is offering this exciting new service; then make an informed decision as to whether it is right for you.

© 2007 Ara Rubyan. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 License. You have permission to use it if you include the resource information below.

For more info on Internet Phone Service, visit Ara Rubyan’s VoIP Solution.

Ara Rubyan is not a part of the VoIP industry, nor does he sell VoIP services, nor does he pretend to be a guru of any kind. Instead, he is like you: a consumer, a business owner, and someone who has been researching the industry so that he could make an informed decision about the best VoIP service for his needs. Now, he’s put all his research (so far) in one convenient location and he’s sharing it with you, no strings attached.