Monday, June 16, 2008

Broadband : An Introduction to Broadband Phones

By Ray Lam

A broadband phone is used with a broadband Internet connection to make phone calls. Telecommunication companies set up infrastructure that can transfer voice data from one end to another, allowing consumers to make calls through traditional digital phones without realizing that the calls are being transmitted via the internet. The voice is received from the phone and broken down into data packets and sent through the internet to a receiving station. The receiving station then translates the data back into voice data so that the intended receiver understands the information sent as if he was talking to the person with the use of a regular phone. A slower Internet connection makes the voice signal choppy and unclear, so it is important to have a quality broadband connection.

Broadband phones make international calls more economical. Using the voice in data mode through the Internet allows anyone with the proper Internet bandwidth and the infrastructure to make international calls more affordably than they could with traditional phone companies.

Multinational companies that have satellite offices set up around the world install infrastructures that allow employees to make broadband phone calls, making communicating among co-workers easy and convenient, as if they were talking to each other in the same office. In fact, instead of dialing a number, the communication can actually be done via intercom.

It is going to be important therefore, for you to investigate and compare the services companies available to get the best plan and price for your needs. One of the current and largest service providers is Vonage. Their service can be obtained easily from the US & Canada to the UK. They will supply a special phone adapter to connect your broadband internet phone to your broadband connection. This adapter basically converts your voice into digital format for transmission across the network. It is converted back again at the recipients end to enable your voice to be heard.

No more headphones, microphones, messengers, software or even having your computer turned on to make cheap calls over the Internet! With a broadband phone service plan you can just pick up your telephone to make and receive telephone calls the same way you always have. You'll also be able to take advantage of features like caller ID, voice mail, speed dialing, auto call back, plus advanced features your traditional phone company didn't offer, like having voice mail sent to your e-mail or cell phone, or virtual phone numbers, even pick your area code so friends and family don't get a long distance charge for calling you.

So why is broadband phone service so cheap? Would it surprise you to know you're traditional telephone company has been ripping you off for years? OK, so no big surprise there, but I'll give you the low down anyway. Turns out broadband phone, and traditional phone services use the exact same grid for transferring phone calls. The Internet. The difference is your traditional phone company has been charging you to send your calls to that grid, where with broadband phone service your DTA, or broadband phone adapter handles that for you and doesn't charge you a dime. You're truly just paying for the service.

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