Businesses have been reaping the benefits of IP telephony for some time. As VoIP technology matures and the network pipe grows ever larger, LANs that existed primarily for data transmission are being converted to handle all types of media based on what is a now the de-facto standard IP (Internet Protocol). And the same is true for the modern residential household. More of us are building our own local area networks at home, expanding our Internet access with high speed Broadband connections that deliver sufficient bandwidth for us to seriously consider converging our home network with voice over IP telephony.
So it’s possible, but what’s the reason for doing it? Look at how much you are spending on your phone now compared with the services and pricing you get from VoIP providers. The motivation will be obvious!talking over the Internet rather than PSTN lines will save pots of money - at least 60% off curret bills. Or indeed any other hardwired mil-spec cables. Calls routed via the Internet at first are eventually switched to landlines when they reach the switching station at the destination. To the PSTN provider, this looks like a local call and is therefore charged at local rates (which in some cases means free of charge).rates will jump when crossing over to a mobile network, depending on the operator, but those rates will still be remarkably low.
IP telephony packages from providers such as Kings Electronics for example are free to set up and allow users to talk to other Kings Electronics IP Telephone numbers at no cost.Calls to or from non Kings Electronics IP telephones are charged at only 30p per day.International calls are charged at local rates (in this case around 2p per minute) and all other calls/facilities are completely free.In fact, if you receive an inbound call from a Kings Electronics 0871 number, they pay you at 3 pence per minute!
Of course, you do need to spend something up front on VoIP telephony equipment. And you don’t have to have an expert knowledge of electronic components.You can get voIP or SIP handsets nowadays from supermarkets that look just like a regular phone but plug into a router or LAN hub.Other supported options include Softphone applications that runs on your PC or an Analogue Telephone Adaptor (ATA) that will ‘convert’ your normal BT type phone into an IP phone.
Ideally you should have a broadband connection of at least 128 kbps to enhance clarity of calls and provide enough spare bandwidth for normal Internet usage like web browsing, downloading files and emails.Usually always ‘on’, a broadband connection allows you to make and receive calls at any time of day.
