Have you heard of VOIP ??

Most people have heard of VoIP, but they still hold the question of What is it, and why using VoIP, some people have used and are using this VoIP technology, though some are still confused because in southern Africa and Zimbabwe we are used to traditional telephone systems, using a wire that come from the service provider straight to you analogy telephone receiver and make telephone calls.

VOIP
 is an acronym for Voice Over Internet Protocol, or phone service over the Internet ,the next generation calling technology.

How does VOIP work?
VoIP enables telephone services to be made via the internet, as long there is internet access, one can enjoy VoIP, this is commonly known by acquiring a virtual line from the service provider of your choice, the line comes credentials, user name and password , this line can be configured on a smart phone, laptop, IP phones, IP PBX and or media gateway (ATA)  which act as bridge between VoIP and analogy handsets . In Zimbabwe we already have this VoIP service and the numbers are in this prefix 086xxx with a length of 10 to 11 digits.

VOIP Connection Using an ATA

Ordinary Phone —> ATA —> Ethernet —> Router —> Internet —> VOIP Service Provider ( Telone, Zol)

VOIP Connection Using an IP Phone

IP Phone —> Ethernet —> Router —> Internet —> VOIP Service Provider (Telone, ZOL)

Direct Smart Phone/Laptop VoIP Connection

Smart Phone/laptop —> WiFi —> Router —> Internet —> Router —> Ethernet —> IP Phone

Applications using VOIP

Just like the traditional way  of enjoying telephone services , the same can be enjoyed on VoIP, but even better because with VoIP you can enjoy telephone services where ever you are in the world as long you have internet access , you can configure the line and still make and receive calls as if you never left your home or office.

Large internet service providers have been drifting away from the traditional way into offering these VoIP services only, especially Telone with more cases of vandalism of its copper, VoIP is truly the way to go. Most Private organizations have migrated into VoIP services, even from traditional PBX to IP PBX, because during this pandemic they are actually able to work from home, receiving and making local calls as if they are in the office but in the comfort of their homes.

Why use VOIP?
There are two main reasons to use VoIP:
1.Lower Cost
2.Increased functionality

Lower Cost
To understand this lets first say why the Traditional telephone way is expensive, Traditional telephone requires a dedicated wire for your service only, running from the service provider for miles to your door step, The wire is prone to vandalism its copper , the wire if exposed to faults so it requires maintenance to keep it running, when you decide not to use it i ts just idle , that are main reasons why VoIP is cheap.

VoIP is used where there is internet, so it becomes an added advantage that you get for using internet services, no dedicated wire for you, but any shared resource works as long there is internet, the  maintenance cost are good as zero, local calls within the same service provider are good free. there is improved HD voice quality.

Increased Functionality

VoIP breaks a lot of traditional telephone barriers and makes VoIP more easier and more user friendly

it breaks Geographical barriers nationally or internationally, nationally you can plug unplug your IP phone in Harare and you plug it in Mutare calls will be routed direct to you and you will be able to make and receive calls. internationally you can configure you VoIP line where ever you are in the world and calls will still be routed to you .

this has also made working from home easier in times of this pandemic, for you can configure your office extension at home and calls will be transferred to you, the receptionist can answer calls for the whole organization and transfer the calls to designated people whilst she is at home (IP PBX)

Technology For Innovators.