Chapter 2

What You Need To Use VoIP

In order for you to take advantage of VoIP, you will need to have some equipment.  The good news is that it is not complex, difficult to install and its not generally that expensive.

The one requirement that you simply can not go without is broadband or high speed internet connections.

What Is Broadband?

Understanding what broadband internet service is happens to be important.  If you don’t have this type of connection yet to the internet, you may want to use it.  If you don’t’ have it, you are probably using dial up access to connect to the web.

While there isn’t anything wrong with dial up, the way that broadband works makes connecting to the internet faster and even simpler.  When you use this method of connection, you’ll be able to get online faster and even surf through the pages you want to go to quicker.  That allows many benefits in and of itself.

Broadband is quite fast and it is the way of the future in technology for internet access.  It may be a bit confusing to understand how broadband technology actually works, as it is somewhat complex, it is easy to understand just how beneficial it can be!

Broadband works by allowing for a larger amount of data to move faster all at one time.  A good way to understand it is to consider your water pipes.  If you replace your old pipe (dial up internet) with a larger, wider pipe (broadband) you are now allowing much more information to get through and therefore allowing the water to move through it easier. 

The larger that the pipe is, the more water can go through it.  The same is true with broadband.  With the higher bandwidth that it uses, broadband can get you around the internet faster and even gets you off the telephone line you are currently using with dial up access.

The benefits of broadband include the ability to download information faster, the ability to connect to websites, to view movies and yes, even to talk to other people using your internet connection.  That’s where VoIP comes in.

VoIP technology simply could not work well over dial up access to the internet because it is not fast enough and it can not carry the signals fast enough.

In order for you to use VoIP, you need to have broadband internet access.  You can use this type of internet access through your current cable modem, through your DSL or even through a local high speed cable network offer.

No matter which of these you have, VoIP technology is likely to be able to be used with it.

Your Adaptation

Before you can get the VoIP technology, you’ll also have to have the right tools to communicate over the internet.  As we mentioned earlier, you can use your computer with a microphone or a headset with a microphone as well as an adapter for your telephone.  They also make specialized phones for VoIP too.

The style of these services that you need or can use will depend on the type of VoIP that you select.  Since VoIP is not a brand name, so to speak, there are actually several services that you can purchase it from.  That means that there are differences in each of the carriers that you use VoIP through.

Some VoIP technologies work through the computer only.  For this type of application, you’ll need to be able to use a microphone or a headset to communication.  You may be able to use this service with the help of a specialized phone as well.

Many other services allow you to use a standard phone but with the help of an adapter.  Here, you’ll need to purchase the adapter that will plug into your phone and into your modem.

If you are using a computer to use VoIP services, you will need the right software installed into your computer.  Generally, this comes to you when you purchase VoIP services.  The microphone that you need can be quite inexpensive, generally under $20.

If you go with the specialized phone to connect to VoIP services, you’ll be able to purchase a phone that will plug right into the broadband connection that you have.  It doesn’t need to plug into the phone jack or your computer in any way.  The specialized phones work just like a traditional phone in that you’ll pick up the receiver, dial the number and instantly get the person on the other line to talk to.

Finally, if you use VoIP through a standard telephone with an adapter, you will be able to dial the same as you do right now.

The only difference is that your phone may not have a dial tone (in most cases.)  Your service provider generally provides this type of service to its clients and home users easily.

You should know a bit more about the adapter that you may be using.  It is called an ATA or Analog Telephone Adapter.  In order to provide service to you, this device connects to your broadband internet service connection using a router, the third component in using VoIP.

To do this, it will use an Ethernet (RJ45) cable and it will connect to your phone using a telephone cable (RJ11) to complete the circuit.

The ATA is necessary for transferring your analog information into the usable digital media that can be carried over the internet so that you can chat with others.

The adapter must then send this digital signal to the router of you computer which then will determine the right route to take to get to the right network and finally to the person that you were planning on calling.  This happens instantly, though

Your Router

Many people that have broadband internet service already have a router in place.  That’s because it is necessary for you to if you have more than one computer that you wish to connect to the internet.  If not, you’ll need to purchase one.  They do not usually come with your VoIP package, but can for an additional charge.

The router’s job is to connect multiple networks together.  Its job is to connect your home’s network system with the internet, which technically is the world’s largest networking system.

If you only have one computer that’s connected to your service to the internet or any type of device connected to the internet, then you may not need a router at all.  You could simply attach your VoIP service right to the broadband service that you have.  Yet, this is simply uncommon today.

Those that do have more than one device that will connect to the internet, then a router is a must.  A router will help you to connect to the internet at each point that you have the need.  Routers enable you to share one connection to the internet with several devices at the same time.  This allows you to log into your internet connection from more than one location.

In order to do this, your router will use Network Address Translation, which is also called NAT.  This technology allows you to share one IP address which is assigned to your computer by your internet service provider as a distinction of who you are.

One benefit that a router can provide to you is the ability to provide a firewall to your network. A firewall can protect your computer users from all sorts of things like spyware, malware and viruses from getting in. A firewall can help to keep problems like this from infecting your computer and ultimately bringing down your computer network.

Even if you do only have one computer, or one device that requires internet connectivity, you still need a firewall to protect your internet access.

Those that have the need for a router will also find it to provide many other useful features in regards to internet usage.  For example, you can block specific websites from being traveled to, which is wonderful advantage for a home with children.

Or, you can determine a time to cut off usage of the internet in the home.  This is helpful to those that want to turn off their connection (even their VoIP service) at any time.

Even better, routers are excellent tools for the wireless technology you have.  You can use routers to help you to connect your PDA, your MP3 player, or your laptop (any device that wants and can get online for that matter) to the internet.  It can do this without have to deal with wires because of the wireless technology which it provides to your home.

Sum Up

In other words, you will need:

  • Broadband internet access

  • Either:  A standard phone with a VoIP adapter

Or, a computer that features a microphone.
Or, a specialized VoIP phone

  • Router

That’s it!  There are no costly wiring projects to worry about and you won’t need to do crazy configurations with your internet service either (or your computer for that manner.)

In the way of tools for VoIP, there is nothing else you need.  Later, you’ll learn some tools that you may want to consider adding to your service as well.

Once you have subscribed to the VoIP service, they will help you to decide the right type of technology for their service and for your needs.

It is also important to point out that much of what you will need to get VoIP up and running in your home will come to you with the help of your VoIP provider.  Most providers will present you with the VoIP adapters that you need for your phone.  You’ll also be able to get the necessary software for your computer.

There are some tools that you need to get or have on your own, though.  For example, your headset or microphone for using VoIP over the computer is up to you to purchase.  That goes for your router too.  These things are not all that expensive, though.  A router may cost you under $50 depending on where you live and your needs for it.

Your broadband service is something you also need to subscribe to which does offer an additional cost per month to use.  But, depending on the type of service that you have right now, you may actually save money by switching from dial up internet to broadband internet access.  Look into companies that offer internet access to compare prices and speed.

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