VoIP Phone for Home (1 of 2) - SIP, Softphone, WiFi, and IP

Today, a VoIP phone system for the home comes in a few shapes and sizes, and the savings gained from converting to VoIP could be substantial, especially if sharing VoIP between many users. There are a number of topics that must be discussed in order to gain a better understanding of home VoIP systems. This reading deals with session initiated protocol (SIP), softphone, WiFi, and IP phones. A few more important topics are discussed in part two.

Home VoIP and ATA

It is important to understand that VoIP may be used with an existing phone system. An ATA, or analog telephony (telephone) adapter, is a device (usually provided by a service provider) that connects to your internet and that converts your existing analog phone signal into a digital one that may travel through the internet. Vonage is a popular VoIP provider that uses this technology. Users plug their phone into the ATA which then plugs in to the internet either through a router or directly into a modem. Since gaining in popularity, there are a large number of service providers who use this same system. Each service offers a number of different calling plans.

SIP and Softphone

One popular example of SIP is the magicJack. It allows free calls to the US and Canada and is less than $20 a year. When a computer is turned on (a "session"), it opens a line of communication that allows users to make and receive calls from the computer. A softphone is built into the magicJack, meaning that calls can be placed and received directly from a computer screen as if running an application. Often softphone applications take the appearance of a phone on a user's computer screen. The magicJack itself also has a port for plugging in a phone, so that users may still utilize existing hardware if they do not want to use the softphone application. The computer must remain on in either case. Whether users choose to use the softphone or hardware, systems like the magicJack may record phone call history and even keep an address book. However, users report that connection is not consistent with this type of system, going from crystal clear to choppy. Be sure to read reviews for any system by searching "reviews for (system)."

IP Phone and WiFi

An IP phone refers to any phone that uses VoIP to place a phone call. There are phone sets today that do not require an adapter and can plug right into an internet connection. There are cordless WiFi VoIP phones where a connection may be made over a WiFi access point or hotspot like a coffee shop or campus, allowing for some mobility. As WiFi access points continue to grow in size and number, this technology will be more beneficial to users. If a business utilizes VoIP technology, the same handset used at work may be brought home and connected to a home's internet, allowing for another way to utilize VoIP for the home.

For more information on VoIP for the home, including services and features, refer to part two.

Article resource

Blake Sanders
ItsThePhoneMan.com
http://www.ItsThePhoneMan.com
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