VoIP

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a general term for a family of transmission technologies for delivery of voice communications over IP networks such as the Internet or other packet-switched networks. Other terms frequently encountered and synonymous with VOIP are IP telephony and Internet telephony.

Internet telephony refers to communications services — voice, facsimile, and/or voice-messaging applications — that are transported via the Internet, rather than the public switched telephone network (PSTN). The basic steps involved in originating an Internet telephone call are conversion of the analog voice signal to digital format and compression/translation of the signal into Internet protocol (IP) packets for transmission over the Internet; the process is reversed at the receiving end.

By the use of a VOIP gateway, it is possible for a call from an Internet phone to reach a phone on the "normal" phone system such as BT or Virgin, and the reverse is also true.

One of the main advantages of VoIP is the low cost. If you have a fast Internet connection (DSL or cable) you can make PC-to-PC phone calls anywhere in the world for free. If you wish to make a PC-to-phone connection, however, there's usually a charge for this but probably much cheaper than your regular phone service.

Another advantage of VoIP is portability. You can make and receive phone calls wherever there is a broadband connection simply by signing in to your VoIP account. This makes VoIP as convenient as e-mail – if you are travelling, simply pack a headset or Internet phone and you can talk to your family or business associates for almost nothing.

Phone-to-phone VoIP is also portable. When you sign up with a VoIP service provider the Internet phone or adapter that is used with that service is assigned a unique number. This 'phone number' remains valid even if your VoIP service is in Liverpool and you are connected to the Internet in Bangkok. An Internet phone is small and light enough to take with you anywhere. Simply plug it into a broadband connection anywhere in the world and you can make and receive calls just as though you were in your own home or office.

Midgard can supply systems suitable for a single individual or for complete offices. By the use of a low cost VoIP server you can have all the features of a traditional phone system that would cost '000's of pounds for a fraction of the cost.

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