Dedicated routers
These devices allow you to use your traditional phone to place VoIP calls. They are connected to cable/DSL modems (or any high-speed internet source) and allow you to attach an ordinary telephone. Once configured, and with an appropriate VoIP provider and service plan, these devices require no special software or interaction with a computer. In fact, you only need to pick up your phone and dial a number at the dial tone. You also may bring your adapter with you when you travel and make calls wherever broadband internet access is available.
Adapters (USB)
These devices also allow you to use a traditional phone to place VoIP calls. They usually come in the form of USB adapters that are slightly larger than the typical thumb drive. They feature a standard modular phone jack to which you can attach an ordinary phone line. Once connected, your phone behaves as if it were connected to standard phone service. Behind the scenes, however, the included software is actually setting up a VoIP call.
Software-controlled VoIP applications: “softphones”
There are many software applications (“softphones”) that allow you to place VoIP phone calls directly from an ordinary computer with a headset, microphone, and sound card. Internet telephony service providers usually give away their softphones but require that you use their service. Together, these applications and services enable users to talk to other people using the same service at no cost, and to the rest of the world for a fee. Software-based VoIP applications are quite attractive to consumers because they often already have most of the components necessary to get started at little to no cost.
Dedicated VoIP phones
A VoIP phone looks like an ordinary corded or cordless telephone, but it connects directly to a computer network rather than a traditional phone line. A dedicated VoIP phone may consist of a phone and base station that connects to the internet or it may also operate on a local wireless network. Like the VoIP adapters mentioned above, dedicated VoIP phones also require a provider and service plan.
These devices allow you to use your traditional phone to place VoIP calls. They are connected to cable/DSL modems (or any high-speed internet source) and allow you to attach an ordinary telephone. Once configured, and with an appropriate VoIP provider and service plan, these devices require no special software or interaction with a computer. In fact, you only need to pick up your phone and dial a number at the dial tone. You also may bring your adapter with you when you travel and make calls wherever broadband internet access is available.
Adapters (USB)
These devices also allow you to use a traditional phone to place VoIP calls. They usually come in the form of USB adapters that are slightly larger than the typical thumb drive. They feature a standard modular phone jack to which you can attach an ordinary phone line. Once connected, your phone behaves as if it were connected to standard phone service. Behind the scenes, however, the included software is actually setting up a VoIP call.
Software-controlled VoIP applications: “softphones”
There are many software applications (“softphones”) that allow you to place VoIP phone calls directly from an ordinary computer with a headset, microphone, and sound card. Internet telephony service providers usually give away their softphones but require that you use their service. Together, these applications and services enable users to talk to other people using the same service at no cost, and to the rest of the world for a fee. Software-based VoIP applications are quite attractive to consumers because they often already have most of the components necessary to get started at little to no cost.
Dedicated VoIP phones
A VoIP phone looks like an ordinary corded or cordless telephone, but it connects directly to a computer network rather than a traditional phone line. A dedicated VoIP phone may consist of a phone and base station that connects to the internet or it may also operate on a local wireless network. Like the VoIP adapters mentioned above, dedicated VoIP phones also require a provider and service plan.
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