The question "What is Internet Telephony?" has answers that prove that the face of communications as we know it is changing. Today, the
internet is not only a pathway for data transmissions. It is now also possible to make telephone calls over the internet, a technology which
makes paying long-distance charges optional instead of mandatory.
So exactly what is internet telephony? Also called Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP), it is the technology that gives the ability to take an
analog voice signal and translate it to a digital signal. That digital signal is then sent from one computer across the internet to the receiving
computer, where it is reconverted to an analog signal that the receiver hears as the caller's voice.
Or, if only the originating caller has VOIP, they can still make a call using VOIP. The provider will route the call across the internet to
the 'node' (local phone switch) nearest the receiver's location. Usually the caller has to pay a small fee for this service. By using the
internet instead of a long-distance company's telephone network, the caller avoids paying any long-distance fees.
There are, however, variations to the answer of the question about what is internet telephony. Depending on what the customer wants or needs,
their level of comfort with technology and their other telephony needs, they have a choice as to what kind of internet telephony service they
select.
So when we consider the question of what is internet telephony, we must start with the basic VOIP technology and then look at the packages in which it is offered to the customer.
There are VOIP providers who provide both the internet (usually, broadband internet) service, local phone service with all the calling
features the local phone company offers, plus the software and hardware needed to make calls. They usually charge equipment fees and monthly
service fees.
Then there are those who provide only the VOIP service over your existing broadband connection, and equipment is optional. But if you have a
PC with speakers, a sound card, a microphone and an internet connection, you can even purchase or download software that will allow you to set up
your own VOIP calls, free of any monthly or long-distance charges.
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