VoIP for home computing
VoIP service for phone and television is tremendously advertized these days, as it offers exciting features for home and businesses, without paying much. Many people are now disconnecting their traditional PSTN phone connection and are switching to VoIP service which is very easy to use and can be installed within few minutes. VoIP service at home will definitely reduce phone bills for international calls, long distance faxing and video calls.
Medium and large businesses where lot of calling is required (telemarketing or call centers), can reduce phone bills tremendously with added features.
Some of the basic features offered by VoIP service for home computing are:
• Caller identification indicator
• Redialing
• Keep same telephone number or get new VoIP telephone number
• Voice messaging
• Call waiting facility
• Three way communication or calling
• Service account management can be done online
• Get television facility
How to set up VoIP at home:
The basic device required to set up VoIP at home is a normal phone device, internet connection and VoIP adapter supplied by VoIP service provider. PSTN phone line is not required, and can be unsubscribed as internet connection will be used for VoIP service. Computer is not necessarily required to use VoIP service as VoIP adapter can be directly connected to modem provided by the ISP. Some phones are VoIP compatible where VoIP adapter might not require. General VoIP connection is connected as:
HOME PHONE DEVICE --> VoIP ADAPTER --> MODEM --> ISP CONNECTION
Router can be connected to modem where the user can have an option to connect multiple computers and VoIP adapter at the same time; utilizing his computer for browsing and independent telephone device for calling. Some routers support WiFi (wireless) connection where the user can connect WiFi VoIP adapter or WiFi phone device.
Modem, router and VoIP adapter requires continuous power supply to function hence, uninterrupted power supply is needed. If the upload speed of internet connection is less than 256kb, than three way communication and simultaneous communication on more than one line will become difficult. Existing telephone wiring within home can be used for extending telephone connection within home, but make sure that this connection is not connected to telephone provider’s main cable.
VoIP service provider will provide all the instructions to connect to their service. Home phone is connected to the LINE 1 port of the phone adapter using normal telephone cable. Phone adapter has to be powered on all the time to receive phone service. Some adapters may require firmware update (software update) when started for the first time, which will be done automatically, hence the adapter may take some time for its initial startup. Once the adapter and modem are successfully started, user can hear the dial tone on the phone and can receive and make calls.