Learn the abc of voip

Making a VoIP Call - VoIP software

One of the ways to make voip calls is using VoIP software package (also sometimes called a 'Soft Phone') that allows you to connect to other PC's or landline phones. Voice over ip software packages such as Skype or Gizmo allows you to try out VoIP without signing a contract or

investing in extra equipment or that ties you in with a specific VoIP provider. All you need is a sound card and a headset with a microphone and headphones. You could also use an Internet telephone that plugs into the sound card or USB port on your computer.

VoIP software seems to be the latest craze -- there are at least 50 companies offering their own version of VoIP. Some of them are for specific computer platforms like Linux but others can be used on many kinds of computers and operating systems. They allow you to make free computer-to-computer calls but you have to pay a small fee if you wish to connect to the regular phone networks.

Up until recently, the major disadvantage with computer-to-computer calls was that both parties had to have the same kind of software installed in order to make a connection. The emerging SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) standard, however, allows any SIP software to connect. Almost every software package, however, has the ability to connect with landline or cellular phones.

Soft phones can be used anywhere in the world where a broadband Internet connection is available. You can call a business associate in Asia or your cousin Charley who lives down the street as long as both have the proper software installed.

In Part 2 you can read how voip soft phones work.






 
 
 

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