Commercial companies have been reaping dividends from IP telephony cost savings 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.
It may involve a little bit of effort, but the results are worth 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!First and foremost is the considerable financial advantage (often up to 60% cheaper) of talking using the Internet rather than conventional copper PSTN telephone lines. Or indeed any other hardwired mil-spec cables. In long distance or international calls for instance, they are indeed routed over the Internet but will eventually be switched over to landlines only when they reach the destination switching station. It becomes a ‘local call’, at least as far as the telephone company is concerned, and will be charged at appropriate local rates.Rates may jump when crossing over to a cell phone network, but even so they are likely to be the lowest you can get.
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 from and to non IP numbers from Kings Electronics are charged out 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.Indeed, with Kings Electronics, they pay you 3 pence a minute if you get an incoming call from one of their 0871 numbers!
Naturally, you’ll need to spend something on VoIP equipment. And you don’t have to have an expert knowledge of electronic components. This may come in the form of a VoIP or SIP Telephone – like a normal phone except it plugs straight into your router, LAN or LAN hub.You can use a softphone application if it’s already on your computer or get an Analogue Telephone Adaptor (ATA) that will make your regular phone function as an IP phopne.
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.A broadband connection is also usually ‘always-on’, so you can take and make calls without delays.
