The following info will explain you what voip is and what you might need to use VoIP@home

Table of contents

1) What is VoIP?
2) Why use VoIP?
3) How does VoIP work?
4) What are the Disadvantages of VoIP
5) What kind of Equipment is needed
6) VoIP hardware info
* 1) Analog Telephone Adaptor (ATA)
* 2) IP Phone
* 3) VoIP Routers

1) What is VoIP?

Youtube Introduction on voip: Click Here

Just to confuse people, there are many kinds of VoIP. Using voice chat in MSN , G Talk or Yahoo messenger could be regarded as VoIP, so could the highly publicised Skype; but these are all proprietary systems. To talk to someone using MSN, the person at the other end also needs MSN. The same applies to Yahoo and, to a great extent, to Skype. They use their own special system that isn't open and won't connect to other systems easily.

True VoIP should really be based on the SIP system which is the recognized standard. Any SIP compatible device can talk to any other; you don't even use a PC.
Voip is a methode for taking Analog Audio signals (Like what you hear when you talk on the phone) and turning them into digital data that can be transmitted over the internet.
VoIP can allow you to make a call directly from a computer, a special VoIP phone, or a traditional phone connected to a special adapter. In addition, wireless "hot spots" in locations such as airports, parks, and cafes allow you to connect to the Internet and may enable you to use VoIP service wirelessly with a WiFi Phone.

2) Why use VoIP?
Lower Cost
The promise of free international calls whenever you want them probably sounds a little too good to be true – there must be a catch, right? Well, yes and no. Provided you only wish to use VoIP to communicate with other VoIP users, everything is very straightforward. If however you want to be able to use VoIP to make and receive calls to and from people who don’t have VoIP, you’ll need to subscribe to a VoIP-Provider that provides a bridge between VoIP and the conventional phone networks.
(Check www.voipcharges.com for example's..but many more providers are available worldwide)

Increased Functionality
VoIP makes some things easy that are difficult to impossible with traditional phone networks.
• Incoming phone calls are automatically routed to your VoIP phone where ever you plug it into the network. Take your VoIP phone with you on a trip, and anywhere you connect it to the Internet, you can receive your incoming calls.
• Call center agents using VoIP phones can easily work from anywhere with a good Internet connection

3) How does VoIP work?
A way is required to turn analog phone signals into digital signals that can be sent over the Internet. This function can either be included into the phone itself (See: VoIP Phones) or in a separate box like an ATA(Analog Telephone Adaptor ), or in a Router with VoIP functionality.

4) What Are Some disadvantages of VoIP?
If you're considering replacing your traditional telephone service with VoIP, there are some possible differences:
• Some VoIP services don't work during power outages and the service provider may not offer backup power.
• Not all VoIP services connect directly to emergency services through 9-1-1.
• VoIP providers may or may not offer directory assistance/white page listings.

5) What Kind of Equipment Do I Need to use VoIP?
A broadband (high speed Internet) connection is required. This can be through a cable modem, or high speed services such as DSL or a local area network. A computer, adaptor, or specialized phone is required. Some VoIP services only work over your computer or a special VoIP phone, while other services allow you to use a traditional phone connected to a VoIP adapter. If you use your computer, you will need some software and a microphone. Special VoIP phones plug directly into your broadband connection and operate largely like a traditional telephone. If you use a telephone with a VoIP adapter, you'll be able to dial just as you always have, and the service provider may also provide a dial tone.

6) Some hardware info for Home Users
* 1) Analog telephony adapter (ATA)
An analog telephone adapter is a device used to connect one or more standard analog devices to a digital and/or non-standard telephone system

• You connect your Traditional phone to the FXS port of the device,
• Connect the ATA to the available Internet Port (on hub, switch or router)
• Connect the Power Cable
• Configure your VoIP account (given by the VoIP provider) on the ATA.
And you can start calling with VoIP..

Tip:
• An extra FXS port enables you to connect one more Traditional Analog device (Phone, Fax, or dect device) For example: ATA502, SPA2102
• A second network port enables you to connect your PC to the internet (avoiding the loss of a Usable Network port due to tyhe connection of the ATA). For example: ATA503, SPA2102

Connection example:


* 2) IP Phone
The main devices for home users are:
o Wired VoIP Phone's = Like traditional analog phone's but made for VoIP
o Dect phone's = The Base connects to the Provider through the internet; the handset is cordless and works within a defined range (some brands can be expanded with repeaters for extra range).

• Connect the IP Phone to the available Internet Port (on hub, switch or router)
• Connect the Power Cable of the VoIP phone
• Configure your VoIP account (given by the VoIP provider) on the IP Phone.
And you can start calling with VoIP..

All offered phone's have good or excellent Voice quality.
To make a couple of compares of other facts between the main models:
• Price related goïng up: Grandstream,Yealink, Cisco, Snom, Polycom
• Most popular: Yealink, Snom, Grandstream
• Most popular Dect phones: Siemens Gigaset C610A IP, A580 IP

* 3) VoIP routers
If you buy a new router and still have an old Analoge Telephone available..You might as well buy a VoIP router.
They offer available FXS ports to connect the phone's. The VoIP provider config is configured on the Router.