Question: What is Voice Over IP (VoIP)?

Answer: Voice Over IP (VoIP) - is the technology that enables users to make and receive phone calls thru the Internet as opposed to using the traditional public switched telephone networks (PSTN's).

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Question: How does (VoIP) Work?

Answer: (VoIP) involves the transmission of voice communication using the Internet Protocol that is already common in data transmissions on the Internet. Internet telephony software is also available that enables individuals to use the Internet as a transmission medium for essentially free telephone calls to anywhere in the world.

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Question: How Do I Know If I have a (VoIP) Phone Call?

Answer: It will ring like any other telephone call.

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Question: What are the advantages of (VoIP) over traditional public switched telephone network (PSTN's)?

Answer: The primary main advantage of (VoIP) over traditional analog phone lines is it's cheaper. Other advantages of (VoIP) are as follows:

• Digital features not commonly available on (PSTN) lines such as voicemail
• Caller ID
• Conference
• Music-on-hold
• Conference calls
• Call Filtering and Blocking
• Receive voicemail to your email inbox or web page
• Add multiple new inbound area codes for your phone allowing you to create a ‘virtual presence’ in other cities or provide a local calling number to friend and family members.

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Question: What type of service and equipment are needed to use (VoIP)?

Answer: The following equipment and services are required to use (VoIP):

• High-Speed Broadband connection
• IP Phones (Softphones will require PC) or Analog Telephone Adapters (ATAs)
• A (VoIP) Service Provider.

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Question: What kind of quality can I expect from Voice Over IP (VoIP)?

Answer: It depends on two primary factors, the amount of bandwidth available and the IP Endpoints connected (whether there are additional components that are providing processing power to improve the connection). Experts do not recommend (VoIP) through dial-up or other Internet accounts that offer “low” bandwidth. This causes severe loss of quality depending upon the amount of congestion on the Internet, bandwidth limitations leading to packet loss, latency, and jitters.

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Question: Do I need a computer to make/receive (VoIP) calls?

Answer: The answer depends on whether or not you will be using a softphone with your (VoIP) integration. (VoIP) does not require any computer to make/receive phone calls (only ATA devices or IP phones). If softphones are used instead of physical phones or (ATA devices), then computers are required.

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Question: Can I surf the web during (VoIP) calls?

Answer: Yes, (VoIP) allows web surfing while making and receiving (VoIP) calls simultaneously. It shares the bandwidth connection with other LAN computers and prioritizes voice.

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Question: Should I use an (ATA) or an IP Softphone?

Answer: It depends on your preference and budget. An (ATA) will allow you to use analog phones for (VoIP). While this might save money, they do not have one touch feature keys (e.g. transfer, hold, etc). On the other hand, using IP softphones will provide more features that are similar to digital phones.

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Question: Can I use (VoIP) for all the phones in my residence?

Answer: Definitely, (VoIP) can replace every single phone in your residence. Both (ATA devices) and IP softphones can be used instead of regular analog phones. This setup requires an account with a (VoIP) provider. It is recommended that you keep your current telephone service because a loss of power will mean your internet connection will go down and you will not be able to make or receive (VoIP) calls. (VoIP) is currently looked upon as a way to reduce your long distance telephone charges while capitalizing on many of the advanced features offered by (VoIP) technology.

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Question: Can (VoIP) make and receive calls to/from public switched telephone lines (PSTN)?

Answer: Yes, (VoIP) users can make and receive calls to/from public switched telephone lines (PSTN) lines. Any type of calls (e.g. local, long distance, international, etc.) are allowed. This requires an account with (VoIP) Service Providers that provide termination.

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Question: May I keep my existing phone number when migrating to (VoIP)?

Answer: Most (VoIP) Service Providers will allow you to keep your existing public switched telephone phone number for (VoIP). However, you will need to check with the provider since not all of them offer this service. A signed "Letter of Authorization" will be required by the provider when keeping your number.

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Question: What are (VoIP) Service Providers (VSPs)?

Answer: (VoIP) Service Providers (VSPs) are the next generation telcos that provide interconnection between (VoIP) and public switched telephone network (PSTN) networks. They allow call origination and termination between these two networks.

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Question: Does My Computer Need To Be Turned On?

Answer: No, but your Internet connection needs to be powered and working.

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