VoIP Phone : What is it?
| Voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP) phones, also known as SIP phones, are virtual or actual phone systems designed to make voice calls anywhere in the world using an Internet connection. They are the modern yet expensive alternatives to landline phones for making international and long-distance calls.
VoIP phones use the VoIP services provided by some telephone and Internet companies to operate. Some VoIP systems can upgrade ordinary landline phones to make VoIP calls using a Wi-Fi connection that does not require a computer to function. However, these systems and services are relatively expensive, making them more ideal for corporate rather than residential use. |
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Kinds of VoIP Phones include the following: |
VoIP softphones
VoIP softphones are software-based VoIP phones. They are computer programs that use headsets or microphones and computer speakers to make and accept calls over the Internet. They usually feature a dial pad on the screen where the phone number is entered using the mouse. Some of the popular examples of VoIP softphones are Xten and SJPhone from SJlabs. They require subscriptions to VoIP services to operate.
IP handsets
IP handsets, also known as USB VoiP phones, are telephone handsets designed to be plugged into a computer’s USB port. They can not function independently and must be connected to a computer to operate. They function like actual phones when used together with VoIP softphone software. Just like computer headsets, they are built with a microphone and speaker, but with the additional keypad for dialing phone numbers.
Hardware VoIP phones
Hardware VoIP phones look and behave like ordinary landline phones. They are designed to connect directly to the Internet and data network. They usually have integrated mini-hubs that allow network connection to another computer. Grandstream is a popular example of a hardware VoIP phone. |
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Versatility: For versatility, choose a VoIP phone that can also make and receive standard landline calls.
Identification: To identify whether the incoming call is local or from the Internet, choose a VoIP phone designed with identification features such as caller ID and ring tone assignment. With a caller ID, you can identify the caller and the number through the display screen before taking the call. A ring tone assignment, on the other hand, allows you to set a different tone for local calls and VoIP calls. |
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