VoIP services convert your voice into a digital signal that is transmitted over the Internet. When you call a regular phone number, the signal is converted to a normal phone signal before it reaches the destination. Voice over Internet Protocol refers to the standards that allow voice-based phone calls over an Internet connection instead of a local telephone company. Voice over IP converts your voice into a digital signal, compresses it and sends it over the Internet. A VoIP service provider sets up the call between all participants.
On the receiving side, the digital data is then uncompressed and converted into the sound you hear on your handset or handsfree kit. How is that useful? VoIP can turn a standard Internet connection into a way to make free phone calls. The practical result is that by using some of the free VoIP software available for Internet phone calls, you completely bypass the phone company (and its charges). With Voice-over-IP technology, various protocols work together to replicate telephony features.
Each protocol has a different function, but they all work simultaneously in real time. Like any new technology, VoIP must overcome some challenges, but it’s clear that developers will continue to refine this technology until it eventually replaces the current phone system. A hardware-based VoIP phone looks like a traditional hardwired or cordless phone and has similar features such as a speaker or microphone, a touchpad, and a caller ID display. To analyze and fix call quality issues, most of these companies use a technique called VoIP call monitoring.
Active testing can no longer take place as soon as a VoIP network is set up and employees are already using the system. VoIP or Voice over Internet Protocol is a method of converting analog audio signals, such as those heard when making phone calls, into digital data that can be transmitted over the Internet. In the past, the term VoIP referred to the use of Internet protocols to connect PBX systems, but is now used synonymously with IP telephony. A VoIP system may also include location tracking databases for E911 (Enhanced 9.1) call routing and management platforms.
People choose VoIP because they can make phone calls without a phone service, saving them long-distance charges. Call monitoring hardware and software use various mathematical algorithms to measure the quality of a VoIP call and generate a score. Codecs are either a hardware or software-based process that compresses and decompresses large amounts of VoIP data. Many VoIP services also allow you to access voice mail over the Internet or attach messages to an email sent to your computer or handheld device.
Most VoIP companies offer the features that regular phone companies charge extra for when added to your service plan. For companies that use VoIP phone networks — particularly those that operate busy call centers (customer service, technical support, telemarketing, etc.) — call quality issues are both unavoidable and unacceptable. Because VoIP compresses and decompresses audio into a digital format over the line, the codecs cut down small bits to ensure maximum reliability. A typical VoIP configuration includes a desk phone and a SIP server, which is usually a VoIP service provider.