VoIP phones are becoming increasingly popular as more people realize how easy it is to use these devices. VoIP refers to voice over internet protocol, which means that your voice is converted into an internet-based sound instead of through a traditional telephone network. VoIP phones can be used to make telephone calls to landlines as well as to mobile phones. Many businesses are turning to VoIP technology because it offers significant cost savings as well as considerable convenience.
VoIP phones are very similar in function to traditional telephones, except that they do not connect to a traditional telephone network of cables and wires. Instead, a VoIP phone uses digital technology, also known as IP technology, to place and transmit phone calls via an IP network, like the Internet. This is usually done with a specialized software program that works by creating a connection between a computer (PC), wireless router or mobile unit and the Internet. VoIP phones can also connect to a regular telephone system using analog wiring, making them a form of converged communications infrastructure (CCI).
The major benefit of VoIP phones is that they are able to carry out both incoming and outgoing voice calls without using a traditional telephone handset. They are also commonly referred to as mobile phones and typically work by means of a base station that carries out the conversion process between the VoIP software and the IP address (Internet code) of the client computer. A VoIP phone connects to the Internet using either a wired Ethernet cable or a wireless connection such as a Bluetooth connection. Most VoIP phones also feature a USB port for connecting the VoIP headset to the computer. In some cases, a high-speed internet connection may also be required.
A VoIP software program is the most essential component of the VoIP phones as it enables the user to make use of a wide variety of features such as voice mail, call forwarding, call waiting, caller ID, call logging, call transferring, music on hold and much more. Advanced VoIP programs also feature an amazingly robust call distribution system which allows multiple calls to be distributed to different extensions based on parameters such as round robin, time division, and even branch priority. An advanced VoIP phone system usually has advanced voice analytics software, which monitors the usage patterns of users, to identify patterns related to time or call duration. This enables the phone company to tailor its advertising campaigns accordingly.
There are three types of VoIP phones:
desktop, plug-in, and hybrid. Desktop VoIP services are generally the cheapest option available because they are the easiest to install and use. Desktop services run on the operating system itself and therefore require very little customization. Modern plug-in models, on the other hand, use VoIP software called VoIP Bots that runs on the user’s PC.
Many people who use VoIP phones often need to move from one location to another.
In such circumstances, a special adapter called an IP changing device is used. With this adapter, you can easily transfer your telephone number over the internet connection. You can also use your old telephone number with the new location, as long as the IP changing device is kept with your handset. Similarly, you can change the location and even the name of your home or office with just a few clicks.
The VoIP phones provided by VoIP service providers such as VoIP Phone Service (PPS) as well as RingCentral are quite convenient. PPSs provide affordable calling plans to small businesses and home consumers. The RingCentral service provides a toll free customer support number for residential customers and unlimited local calling in over 20 different locales. VoIP phones provided by RingCentral are equipped with advanced call management features such as call blocking, Caller ID, call logging, and so on. In addition, the VoIP phones provided by RingCentral also have a free VoIP conference calling option.
- VoIP voice mail is a very useful tool for managing your voice messages and calls.
- The voice mail feature of VoIP allows you to manage all your voice mail messages (including voicemail, auto-attendant assistance, etc.) with just a single centralized entry.
- The facility of voice mail is available with all VoIP services including VoIP phones.
- Voice mail can be sent to regular phone lines, ISDN lines, or Internet e-mail accounts.
