The technology VoIP (Voice Over Internet protocol) has been growing daily and its popularity among the population has led to its tremendous growth.
VoIP technology uses the Internet’s packet-switching capabilities to provide phone service. VoIP has several advantages over circuit switching. For example, packet switching allows several telephone calls to occupy the amount of space occupied by only one in a circuit-switched network. Using PSTN, that 10-minute phone call we talked about earlier consumed 10 full minutes of transmission time at a cost of 128 Kbps. With VoIP, that same call may have occupied only 3.5 minutes of transmission time at a cost of 64 Kbps, leaving another 64 Kbps free for that 3.5 minutes, plus an additional 128 Kbps for the remaining 6.5 minutes. Based on this simple estimate, another three or four calls could easily fit into the space used by a single call under the conventional system. And this example doesn’t even factor in the use of data compression, which further reduces the size of each call.
Source : http://computer.howstuffworks.com/ip-telephony4.htm
There are lots of VOIP service providers they may include business and residential VOIP service provider. They are both hosted differently and it is very important as they tend to reduce the amount that one spends monthly on communication, though almost all the different service providers’ fall under VOIP service provider B2B.
VoIP phone service providers offer many advantages to the residential and small office/home office user. If you have a high-speed internet connection then choosing a VoIP phone service might be right for you.
This technology leads to greater financial savings. This happens because there exists only one network carrying the voice and data provided by only one supplier. If you have a broadband Internet connection (DSL or cable), you can make PC-to-PC phone calls anywhere in the world for free. If you wish to make a PC-to-phone connection, there’s usually a charge for this but probably much cheaper than your regular phone service.
You can pay as you go or you can sign up with a VOIP service provider and pay a monthly fee in return for unlimited calls within a certain geographic area. For example, some VOIP services in the United States allow you to call anywhere in North America at no extra charge.
Source : http://faq.programmerworld.net/voip/voip-advantages-disadvantages.htm
The VoIP has completely led to revolutionization of the call via Internet protocol and this will greatly help towards the reduction of the costs on communications. They have interconnected with other service providers and has led in the reduction of the voice traffic and substantial call cost reduction. They can provide a number of other features that will please the customers. For businesses, they help them as they provide VoIP directory and also offer business providers that will help one in ensuring they do not incur too much calling cost. They will always give you quotation and help you in your entire communication problem.
How VoIP works for your business is simple: By adding voice to a data network, you’ll reduce costs, improve productivity, and enhance collaboration.
You’ll save money by having one network to manage instead of two. You can easily add, move, or change phone extensions and locations, which saves money and gives you more flexibility. Your workforce can use your communications system from home or on the road. Also, wireless IP phones connect users to your communications system and data resources, such as customer information, while they’re in the warehouse, on the sales floor, or anywhere they can access your data network wirelessly.
Unified communications solutions for small businesses go beyond basic VoIP capabilities in enhancing collaboration. With a unified communications solution, workers can easily collaborate through voice, video chat, Web conference, and instant messaging. Employees can collaborate using each technology individually or all of them simultaneously, and from a single, easy-to-use interface.
VoIP introduction has led to emergence of many providers and subscribers are able to choose from a variety what best suits their needs. It has led to increased competition and this is good for the consumers.
Unlike regular phone service which usually charges more for extra features, VOIP comes with a host of advanced communication features. For example, call forwarding, call waiting, voicemail, caller ID and three-way calling are some of the many services included with VOIP telephone service at no extra charge. You can also send data such as pictures and documents at the same time you are talking on the phone.
VoIP phones can integrate with other services available over the Internet, including video conversation, message or data file exchange in parallel with the conversation, audio conferencing, managing address books and passing information about whether others (e.g. friends or colleagues) are available online to interested parties.
Source : http://faq.programmerworld.net/voip/voip-advantages-disadvantages.htm