The Different Ways of Making VoIP Calls

VoIP is the future and there’s no stopping it. However, the technology can create a lot of confusion, especially in circles that are not conversant with VoIP. Most people know that VoIP is a communication mechanism but they don’t understand how they are expected to use it, especially with regards to making phone calls.

While VoIP communication mechanisms can take a variety of shapes and formats, there are three primary ways of using the technology to make phone calls:

The Computer

Most people have only encountered VoIP through their computers. Though, in many cases, they don’t even realise that they are using VoIP to communicate. The technology can create a bridge between two computers through which phone calls can be made.

Skype is an example of VoIP. If the computers of both the initiator of the call and the recipient have the same software, they can talk to one another in a manner not different from what you encounter when you use an ordinary phone.

In a way, such phone calls are superior because communication via video is made possible. Additionally, computer-to-computer VoIP calls are free because they happen over the internet. On the other hand, the quality of a computer-to-computer call depends heavily on the strength of your internet connection.

It should be noted that you can use any computing device to make phone calls via VoIP, not just ordinary laptops and desktops but also tablets and smartphones. Furthermore, while computer-to-computer calls via the internet are very common, you can achieve the same results using a Local Area Network.

You can call any person with a computing device if you’re both on the same network.

The Phone

Some people think that VoIP technology is so advanced that it is only compatible with equally advanced communication devices. But that isn’t true. With an adapter, you can also make VoIP calls using traditional analogue phones.

Of course, these days, many businesses prefer to use IP Phones. Most people in urban centers have interacted with IP Phones without realising it. These devices look just like ordinary phones. You would never know that they were anything special unless someone told you that IP Phones use a router rather than a PTSN network.

If you study an IP Phone closely, you will notice that the plug it uses is different, somewhat bigger than the plug of an ordinary analogue phone. Some IP Phones don’t have wires. Rather, they use Wi-Fi to make phone calls via the internet or a Local Area Network.

If you have a strong attachment to your traditional analogue phone, an analogue telephone adapter will enable you to connect it to the internet after which you can start making VoIP calls without the use of a computer or an IP Phone.

Phones vs Computers

Not only is it possible to make computer-to-computer calls and phone-to-phone calls but VoIP allows phones and computers to call one another. In other words, you can call a phone using a computer. You can also receive a call from a phone through your computer.

It doesn’t matter whether you are using a traditional PTSN phone or an IP Phone. VoIP is as versatile as it is convenient.

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