- What is Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)?
- What do I need to install VoIP?
- Can I still call a normal telephone number?
- Can a person using a regular telephone call me on my VoIP telephone?
- What is the quality of a VoIP call like?
- What is Quality of Service (QoS)?
- Can I use VoIP to call the 000 emergency phone number?
- Can I change VoIP providers if I want to?
- What are FXS and FXO ports?
What is Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)?
VoIP is a technology that gives you the ability to make a voice phone call over an IP network such as a Local Area Network or the Internet. The technology has been used for many years at big business level as a way of remote branch offices being able to use the capacity of their computer network to also carry voice calls. The technology is now available for home users and small/medium business to implement using the Internet to transmit phone calls at a greatly reduced cost compared to traditional telephone networks (such as Telstra or Optus).
What do I need to install VoIP?
You will need three things to install VoIP:
- A Broadband Internet Connection – preferably ADSL, but you can also use Cable Internet or wide area Wireless Broadband
- A telephone adaptor which will convert your voice into a digital signal to transmit over the Internet. Alternatively, you can use a VoIP softphone which turns your PC into a phone.
- An account with a VoIP Service Provider
Can I still call a normal telephone number?
Most VoIP service providers (who are like phone companies) have the ability to direct your phone call through a “gateway” onto the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) which is the regular telephone service provided by Telstra, Optus etc. You simply dial the phone number as normal.
Can a person using a regular telephone call me on my VoIP telephone?
It will depend on the type of VoIP service you are using and whether you have a “private” VoIP number or a “public” Direct-In-Dial (DID) number. A private number is normally provided on the lower cost VoIP services which allow you to ring out to regular phone numbers but only receive calls from VoIP users on the same provider as you. Many VoIP service providers also offer a DID number (usually by paying a monthly fee). This will give you a public telephone number and you can make outgoing calls and also receive calls from any type of phone.
What is the quality of a VoIP call like?
Depending on your equipment and the quality of your broadband connection, a VoIP call is comparable in quality to using a regular telephone service. The quality can sometimes be affected if there is heavy data downloading at the same time as a VoIP conversation. This is usually overcome by using equipment that has Quality of Service (QoS) built-in.
What is Quality of Service (QoS)?
QoS is the ability to program what types of data are given priority through your broadband connection (normally controlled by your router or programmed into the VoIP equipment). During a VoIP conversation your voice “packets” need to have priority to ensure there is no “latency” (delay from when you speak and the other person hearing you) or “packet loss” (voice cutting out). It ensures the best possible quality for your voice conversation. A lot of NetComm’s VoIP equipment supports QoS or has it built-in.
Can I use VoIP to call the 000 emergency phone number?
Most VoIP service providers will recommend that you maintain your regular PSTN telephone line as a backup and to use your regular phone line if dialling the 000 emergency phone number. This ensures that emergency services can pinpoint your location and direct you to the relevant service in your state. With a VoIP service, the emergency services can sometimes have difficulty determining your exact location. Keeping your regular phone line will also ensure that you have an available phone line during a power blackout or if your broadband service is unavailable.
Can I change VoIP providers if I want to?
Many VoIP Service Providers do not have lock-in contracts and many also offer a “pay as you go” plan. If you are unhappy with the VoIP service it is fairly easily change providers. You will need to set-up an account with your new provider and then program their account details in your VoIP equipment.
What are FXS and FXO ports?
FXS is short for Foreign Exchange Subscriber and on a VoIP device is the port where you connect your phone device in order to receive the incoming “voice traffic”. FXO stands for Foreign Exchange Office and is the connection between your phone and the outgoing (external) phone network. On a VoIP device, the FXO port is where you connect a normal telephone line to create a connection to the external Public Switched Telephone Network. A device with an FXO port will allow you to make and receive VoIP and PSTN calls on the one phone.
