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What is VoIP?
VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) refers to voice calls being made over a high-speed internet connection as opposed to a traditional landline. VoIP calls can be made from either a computer or a regular VoIP enabled phone (the regular phone also connects to the internet).
Why is VoIP relatively inexpensive?
VoIP is just another computer application running on existing systems. This makes it no different to email, Instant Messaging (IM) and any other internet-based communication medium.
If VoIP is similar to email and IM, why isn’t it free?
Connecting via VoIP to another user with VoIP is free because this is just two users connecting to each other via the internet. However, using VoIP to call someone on a normal landline or cell phone requires a connection outside of the Internet and for this reason costs money—although it’s still very cheap.
What are the advantages of VoIP?
Primarily, home and business users switch to VoIP due to the significant cost reduction in using the service. However, there are also many other benefits of using VoIP. For instance, because VoIP is an internet based service—it means that you can take your number with you wherever you go. VoIP also allows for more flexibility with phone numbers whereby an individual may be based in the UK but have a local NYC phone number (this is a powerful feature for many businesses).
What are the disadvantages of VoIP?
The majority of VoIP services don’t work during power outages. Although it’s possible to purchase backup systems, and many large companies do so, the majority of VoIP services don’t have this feature. Also, some providers don’t offer phonebook listings in the white pages with their services.
EntirelyVoIP.com
Welcome to EntirelyVoIP.com—your one stop resource for everything voice over IP related. Here you can compare VoIP providers side by side, read the latest VoIP news on our news page or find out the questions you’re asking on our FAQ.
Thursday, January 31. 2008
Voice over IP - What is it?
VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol (also commonly referred to as IP Telephony). It is an alternative way of making calls, and does not use traditional landlines, but rather the infrastructure of the internet. VoIP calls not always include the use of a phone either, as many VoIP calls are made using computers.
VoIP has become particularly popular for long-distance calls, mainly due to the greatly reduced cost. However, most people who use VoIP use it to connect to other users with VoIP, in which case using the service is completely free. The most common way people do this is by using software such as Skype installed on a home PC with a microphone.
There are two main ways to use VoIP: it can be used to connect to another VoIP service such as a VoIP-enabled phone or a computer. The other way is to use VoIP to connect to a standard landline, in which case a cost will be incurred (although often cheaper than connecting two landlines, particularly for long-distance calls).
The great thing about VoIP is that is uses already existing infrastructure (of the internet) to make voice calls. VoIP transmits sounds over an internet connection, using the Internet Protocol (hence it’s name, Voice over Internet Protocol). For this reason, VoIP calls between two people with VoIP are often free.
VoIP is not free if you want to connect to someone with a standard phone—although the cost is still a lot cheaper. If you wish to have a VoIP enabled phone at home or at your work place, you’ll require a paid service with a company such as Vonage or Lingo. These paid services make a lot of sense because the calls are still a lot cheaper as opposed to a standard landline.
At the moment, VoIP is still a relatively new technology, although its rapid growth can be compared to that of the internet in the late 90’s. In the next couple decades, we can expect VoIP to replace standard telephone systems all together.
Wednesday, April 16. 2008
Europe to have 88 Million VoIP Subscribers by 2012
According to research group InfoCom, VoIP subscriptions in Western Europe will reach 88 million by the year 2012. This is a roughly 240% growth from the 25 million VoIP subscribers in 2007. Currently, the VoIP market in Europe is roughly double that of the US market, and is likely to stay that way. The difference is in part due to stronger competition in the European market, compared with monopolies and higher prices in the United States—although this is slowly changing.
InfoCom also predicts broadband penetration of 68 percent, which in 2012 will translate to 121 homes. Three quarters of these are estimated to be VoIP capable, which is where the 88 million figure is derived from.
By contrast, the United States is projected to have 40 million VoIP enabled households by 2012. The Boston research firm Yankee Group reported that consumer VoIP use increased by 125 percent in 2006 to more than 9 million subscribers last year.
Friday, March 14. 2008
MacBook Air Overview
Looks wise, there is no doubt that the MacBook Air is the sexiest laptop around. But don’t be fooled, there are many features which were left out to allow for the Air to be as thin as it is. So, is the US$1,799 price tag really worth the stylish looks and the ultra portability? In short, the answer is no.
My first real beef with this laptop is the fact that is has no inbuilt optical drive. You have to connect the Apple SuperDrive if you want CD/DVD access. Oh, and don’t think for a second you’ll be able to play your favourite DVD’s using this drive—because you won’t. The main purpose of the SuperDrive is software installation and file transfer only.
In terms of hardware this laptop does have, the 1.6GHz core-duo from Intel does the job, but isn’t exactly super fast (although it does run very cool, allowing you to actually rest the laptop on your lap). 
The Air’s inbuilt 802.11n WiFi is also a handy feature and will save time—especially as there will be a fair bit of data transfer over the wireless to make up for the lack of inbuilt optical drive.
I’ll also concede that the LED screen is amazingly bright and very energy efficient. Unfortunately, you don’t really get longer battery life on the Air (due to a smaller battery than the MacBook Pro). The backlit keyboard is also a pleasure to use, it’s also where the speakers are situated (clever, but doesn’t make for great sound quality). Right next to the keyboard, you have the extra large touch pad which now supports multi-finger gestures (a great innovation). This feature used in many Apple apps—for example, the three finger sweep for forward and backward in Safari—is just brilliant.
Conclusion
So although for the average person the price is a bit steep, there is no reason why people with money won’t buy this machine to run as a second computer. I could also see this being a winner once Apple drops the price to about US$1,300 – US$1,400.
Thursday, February 21. 2008