What is VoIP?

• Also known IP Telephony, Voice over IP, Internet Telephony
• VoIP has actually been around for the last ten years or so but is now becoming increasingly mainstream
• VoIP converts analogue human speech into digital form
• It is based on computer networks using the Internet Protocol to transmit packets of data
• Computer networks don’t mind if these packets sometimes take longer to deliver than usual, however
• VoIP depends crucially on the speed and Quality of Service (QoS) of a Broadband Internet connection between callers
• High QoS is required to ensure that all packets of data arrive within a fixed time, as humans talk in real-time and cannot tolerate lost or delayed pieces of a phone call
• Phone calls can become free of charge or very low cost

What do you need for VoIP?

• A Landline
• A Broadband service
• A VoIP telephone, or
• Your PC and an appropriate handset or headset