admin | 
02 13th, 2010| 
As mentioned previously, when considering which type of VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) Phone Service to go with, you basically have three types of phone options to choose from:
- A VoIP Phone
- A Softphone
- An Analog Telephone Adapter (ATA)
In what follows, I will hopefully attempt to provide some additional information about each type of phone option by going into a bit more detail of each of them and provide you with some equipment possibilities, as well. I have already done most of the research for you in comparing prices from various suppliers to give you the cheapest one available for each of the units listed below. If you find a better price somewhere else, please feel free to leave that information in the comment section so that I may make the necessary changes in order for everyone to benefit from it.
VoIP Phones – Existing VoIP phones are similar to cell phones, but they rely on an IP connection to transmit their calls instead. These phones support VoIP calls without the need of a separate computer or adapter. When using a VoIP phone to make calls, the call is routed to an IP network through the connection of an Ethernet port and either a cable or WiFi Internet service. VoIP phones may also known as Session Initiation Protocol, or SIP phones. SIP is a type of Internet protocol that doesn’t just support voice data, but also the more multimedia related communication applications such as video conferencing, instant messaging, and online gaming, just to name a few. This type of VoIP phone service is usually the most expensive because your VoIP service provider is responsible for routing your calls through its network in order to establish the connection. The added expense, though, usually pays off in the form of the excellent voice quality and the advanced features available from them. Here are a few examples:
- Business IP Phones:
- Residential VoIP Phones:
Softphones – This type of phone is basically an internet phone or digital phone with software installed on it allowing you to make VoIP calls without the need of additional hardware, making it the least expensive of the three. Calls using this option are made between an Internet telephony service provider to either other existing softphones or conventional telephones. Some VoIP phone service providers will usually allow you to make calls for free from one computer to another, but may charge a fee for calls made from a phone to a computer or vice versa. The main disadvantage of a softphone is that it has to be connected to the internet in order to send or receive calls.
Analog Telephone Adapter – An Ananlog Telephone Adapter (ATA) allows you to make calls using a regular telephone jack and a broadband internet connection to link together one or more standard analog phones to a digital or VoIP based network. This option is most like a traditional landline service and providers usually offer it for a flat, inexpensive rate. The Ethernet port of the adapter is connected to the router that is used in your broadband connection and your house phone is plugged into a regular RJ11 phone jack on the adapter to create the IP network and does not require your computer to be turned on to place calls. Primarily, this type of VoIP phone service is offered by cable companies, broadband Internet providers, and traditional telephone companies at considerably lower rates when compared to traditional phone services.
When choosing a VoIP phone service for your home and/or business, just be sure you understand the provider’s terms of service and discuss your particular needs with them in order to get a plan that provides the features and services that are right for you.
Additional phone equipment & accessories
