Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) – technology that enables one to make and receive phone calls through the Internet instead of using the traditional analog PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) lines.

The primary main advantage of VoIP over PSTN lines is cost (it’s cheaper!) Other advantages of VoIP are as follows: digital features not commonly available on PSTN lines such as voicemail, caller ID, conference, music-on-hold, etc.

The following equipment and services are required for VoIP deployment: High-Speed Broadband connection, IP Phones (Softphones will require PC) or Analog Telephone Adapters (ATAs) and VoIP Service Provider (terminate calls).

Dial-up can be used for VoIP when necessary or if it’s the only type of connection available. However, we recommend using broadband since certain VoIP codecs (e.g. G.711) require higher bandwidth.

The answer depends on whether or not you will be using a softphone with your VoIP integration. VoIP does not require any computer to make/receive phone calls (only ATA devices or IP phones). If softphones are used instead of physical phones or ATA devices, then computers are needed.

Yes, VoIP allows web surfing while making and receiving VoIP calls simultaneously. It shares the bandwidth connection with other LAN computers and prioritizes voice.

Making and receiving free VoIP calls can be made possible by signing up with VoIP Service Providers such as Free World Dialup (FWD) that allow unlimited VoIP calling. These providers will sometimes allow making/receiving free VoIP to PSTN calls (and vice versa). In addition, VoIP end user devices such as ATAs and IP phones can be set up to make point-to-point VoIP calls between one another.

Absolutely! VoIP users can definitely make and receive calls to/from PSTN lines. Any type of calls (e.g. local, long distance, international, etc) are allowed. This requires an account with VoIP Service Providers that provide termination.