VoIP Systems

What does internet telephone or "Voice Over IP" (VoIP) mean?

IP is an acronym for internet protocol. IP is a way of computers communicating between each other. Data is broken in to small groups called packets.

IP is what is called a routing protocol. It facilitates moving a packet of data by storing it and then forwarding it along a chain of computers until it reaches its destination. However, sending a packet via IP does not guarantee that it will arrive, or when it will arrive.

Now for a short lesson in physics. Sound travels in waves to your ear. Each wave has a width (pitch) and a height (loudness). Your ear works by the wave pushing a series of bones. As the bones move in and out, electrical impulses travel from your ear to your brain.

Your ear can only sense one pressure at a time. What you hear is pressure at-any instant (in or out at intensity), interpreted by your brain as a sound or mixture of sounds.

If we measure the sound pressure and direction at any instant in time electronically, we have a digital picture of the sound wave. We can then take this digital picture and send it over the computer or store it for later use. When we recreate the wave from it, our brain hears the original sound.

This is the basis of digital telephones, cd's, mp3's etc. All take digital pictures of sound waves and move them around, recreating them later.

Various computing tricks have been used to make the packets smaller or handle them if they arrive late or out of sequence.

So does VoIP work? In a word "Yes". Since IP is a store and forward protocol, the amount of time it takes a packet to reach its destination varies from packet to packet. Many factors affect the time it takes (called latency); including how many other people are sending packets and the speed of the slowest connection in the chain etc.

What kind of equipment do I need?

A broadband connection is required .Also in some cases a form of router to replace your current telephone system. You should work on the basis that one broadband line will handle six-eight concurrent calls.

If I have VoIP, who can I call?

• You can make calls to any landline world wide & any mobile world wide at a low-call rate.
• You can also make FREE calls to any other person or company with a VoIP service.