What Is VoIP

VoIP is an acronym for Voice over Internet Protocol.  Simply speaking it is talking over the internet or some other interconnected system that uses the same protocol.  Typically in a fashion normally associated with a telephone conversation.  This usually includes all the aspects of initiating, maintaining, and terminating those conversations.  VoIP is often used as a lower cost alternative to traditional telephone service.  In some cases it is replacing traditional telephone service entirely.

Because the conversations take place over publicly available internet connections, there is often no difference in cost between local calls and long distance calls.  This is one of the main advantages of VoIP telephone calls.  Most VoIP conversations take place in one of 2 ways.  The simplest is direct 2-way conversation over the internet from a person sitting at one computer to a person sitting at another computer.  All they need is some common software or protocol to use and a way to contact each other.  The second way is by emulating a traditional phone network.  Usual that involves connecting to the traditional phone network on at least one end via a gateway.  Calls are made the same way they are made between traditional phones.  Using a telephone number.  The difference is that at least one end travels some of the distance via the internet.

When someone purchases our Asterisk hosting service they are purchasing a VoIP telephone service.  The server we provide is basically a mini Asterisk VoIP telephone company.  It connects VoIP phones to each other and to the telephone network via hundreds of VoIP trunk companies around the world.