Today, the use of computers has spread worldwide. And this was even pushed forward with the introduction of the Internet. Even little children are now familiar with the Internet.

If you're an avid user of the Internet, then you've probably heard of what VoIP is and its many uses. VoIP or voice over Internet protocol is a new application on the net that allows a person to make phone calls. Somehow, traditional telephone lines are not enough. And this is the very reason how VoIP came into existence.

Telephone networks are threatened because of the emergence of VoIP. More and more businesses, and people, are opting to replace their existing phone lines.

VoIp was not really intended to replace traditional telephone lines. In fact before, it was widely used for voice communication among computer users from different locations. Today, this application is still in use but is now more developed and acts like a telephone network. With the use of VoIP, anyone can call or receive calls anywhere, regardless of the location. You can receive calls as long as you have an Internet connection or your telephone set is connected to a network in your local area or LAN.

How did VoIP started? The Israeli's were the very first ones to make a voice connection over the computer, and that all happened way back in the year 1995. Within that year, the new technology became a software, the Internet Phone Software. Before, they used a modem, speakers, sound card, and microphone.

The computers which can use this new technology were only those having installed the software. With regards to the quality of sound, it was rather poor and can't even come close to the traditional phones.

By the year 1998, that same technology was further developed. The gateway to computer-to-telephone connections was opened. The Internet was also used by people having telephone-to-telephone connections; and with the aid of the computer in initiating and establishing the phone call connection, the regular phone can be used.

At present, both commercial and residential sectors are finding VoIP quite useful. Different services also offer different connections like PC-to-telephone or the traditional phone to another phone.

Internet telephones are plugged into the USB port or sound card of the computer. The phones have ringers and number pads just like the ordinary phone set. But now, it is already possible not to have a computer in using VoIP. You simply connect your telephone set directly to the broadband modem (cable or DSL).

When you use VoIP, your voice is converted to digital data. The data is compressed after your voice has been digitized. Around 1500 bytes 'packets' of digital data is transferred through the net. These packets also contain information on their origin, destination, and timestamp. The timestamp allows correct order-reconstruction. Upon reaching their destination, the packets are again re-assembled and are converted back to analog. The receiving party will be able to hear your voice.

Delay is one thing that hinders good communication. And if you want to use VoIP, you should first have a broadband connection. This makes it a lot easier and simple to add VoIP.

If you have second thoughts about using VoIP, you can always try it out for free. There are many VoIP packages that you can download on the net like Net2Phone, Gizmo, Skype, and other VoIP providers. This will be a lot easier if you and your friends all try it out together. Once you have the software downloaded, give your friends a call. Make sure that you have a headset and attach it to your computer's sound card, and there you have it.

If you want to call your friend, just click the name you want to contact. It also has other features like call forwarding, conference calls, and voicemail without extra charge if the call is made using computers.

If you're satisfied with the results, then perhaps you want to replace your existing phone with VoIP. But before making any decision, make sure that everything is to your advantage by using VoIP over the traditional phone. Don't be confused between an Internet phone and an IP phone. Internet phones are connected to the USB or the sound card while an IP phone is plugged to the modem.

If you want to enjoy VoIP now, then it's all up to you.

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