What is VoIP technology?
Telephony over the internet network is an application of VoIP technology, which enables
the users' voices to be transferred as data. This communications system permits conversations to be held between different points as long as both the emitter and the receiver can access the internet. If both users also have a broadband connection, such as ADSL or fibre optic cable, the callers will be able to use the same network they use to exchange e-mails, surf or participate in a netmeeting, chat or internet community.

In other words, this is a process similar to that of chatting over the web, but with voice data instead of text data. The final result is very similar to that of a conventional telephone conversation, although at far lower prices.

Advantages at low costs
Thanks to this new technology, two broadband users can hold a conversation for as long as they like at internet prices irrespective of the geographic area they are in. This is the main advantage, as a telephone conversation to the rest of the world costs the same as a local call if both users have a simple net connections, or without any added for those who already pay a flat rate.

VoIP is also advisable for those who pay a flat rate for accessing the internet, given
that they are always connected and can thus receive calls 24 hours a day, as in a conventional telephone.

In addition, if you have broadband (such as ADSL) or fibre optic cable you will be able to hold netmeetings with other users as long as they have a webcam.

What do you need to use this technology?
The initial investment requires to basic acquisitions: a two-way sound card, which allows you to talk and listen at the same time, and earpieces with integrated microphone, more advisable for the sake of comfort and quality of communication than a separate microphone and speaker.

Companies providing this service include Peoplecall, Callserve, ICQ, Duatel and Talky, but the corresponding program can also be downloaded free of charge from the internet. The best set up is for both VoIP callers to have the same operating system to guarantee compatibility.

Communication via the internet is not simply a question of connecting two computers, it can also be from computer to telephone and from telephone to telephone. In the latter case the calling telephone must be a special apparatus with the corresponding hardware. If not, an adaptor will have to be installed for the phone to operate on the network. The receiver, however, can use a conventional telephone.

The communication between a computer and a telephone requires the caller to have the aforementioned internet connection, as well as two-way sound card and earpieces with integrated microphone. In addition, the caller needs to set up the VoIP services of a specialist provider who will install a link between the data network and the conventional telephone network.