VoIP New users often ask us what equipment they will need to make and receive calls with their new service. Since the equipment can vary according to your service and the features you need, we have compiled the following summary of all your VoIP options.
VoIP calls can be made in three main ways:
- With an analog telephone adapter (ATA)
- With an IP phone
- computer to computer
Each of these methods requires different equipment and has its own advantages and disadvantages. The first two options are those that you choose if you replace your home or business VoIP phone service, while the third is best suited for voice calls or occasional video. Run through the options:
Phone Analog Adapters (ATAS)
Source: edans on Flickr
If you plan to replace your home phone service with VoIP, by far the simplest and most common solution is the first: an analog telephone adapter or ATA. ATA is a small device, usually a plastic box that looks much like a cable modem or router. ATAs allow you to continue using your regular phone with a VoIP service. Generally, ATAs have an Ethernet port, which you connect a cable from your router to provide the adapter with an Internet connection and a traditional telephone port where you can connect the ATA to a home or office regular phone using the cable came with your phone. Most ATAs also have some lights on top, a power socket in the wall, and perhaps a display window.
Do not worry about choosing the right ATA because your VoIP provider will almost certainly send the device clean to you when you sign up for their service. Sometimes an ATA is included in the price of the service provider and sometimes an additional cost for the equipment. Most cards are quite good enough market friendly, and really should not be connected to the Internet, phone, and power to work right out of the box. Our best choice for VoIP services including Vonage, VOIPo, Phone Power and Phone.com provide ATAs users.
Mobile IP
Source: Tiptel on Flickr
Some suppliers, primarily business-oriented businesses do not provide ATAs, but require that you buy an IP phone, also known as a VoIP enabled phone. Instead of having a traditional phone line port, an IP phone has a port for an Ethernet cable, which is much like an oversized phone jack. Essentially, an IP phone has the equipment in an ATA right into the phone, bypassing the need for a separate device to connect your phone to the Internet. VoIP phones range from about $ 70 to several hundred dollars each, depending on their characteristics and the number of lines they equipped to handle. Most VoIP services that require or recommend IP phones offer some models or can direct you to their favorite options, including our choice of top business VoIP, Nextivia, Vocalocity, Apptix and Phonebooth.
There is generally little or no noticeable difference between an IP phone and a traditional telephone quality or experience to call a basic phone call. When you notice the difference in some of the additional features VoIP can offer, such as visual voicemail, access to a list of more complex contacts, or virtual attendant call. These characteristics, when available, can usually be accessed by users ATA through their computers.
The vast majority of VoIP users with IP phones are companies that need advanced calling features. The only exception to what has been traditionally Skype users, since the VoIP service Skype phone based initially worked only with an IP phone. However, Skype has recently started offering an ATA option as well, which is a cheaper alternative to replace your home phone system with an IP telephony system.
computer to computer
Computer-to-computer VoIP will not replace traditional phone service very well, unless you can spend all your time at the computer and connected, but it can be a good choice to stay in touch just costs with a friend or family member who is abroad or in the country, provided that you can schedule your call in advance.
If you have further questions about VoIP equipment, VoIP visit our section here.