your VoIP provider will send you a VoIP adapter to install
yourself
Most internet phone
service providers will send you a VoIP adapter to install yourself.
The VoIP setup process is a really simple task and internet phone
service providers include easy step-by-step instructions - anyone
who can follow brief instructions can install VoIP.
Depending on your
current home network configuration, type of VoIP phone adapter
you get and how you want to use your phones, installation can vary.
Basically, all you do is connect your cable modem or router to the
internet phone adapter. You then connect your computer and a
telephone to the phone adapter and activate VoIP service by
following the instructions provided by the VoIP provider.
VoIP setup is really a very easy process and should take around 30 minutes
to complete even if you are not very handy with computers! I
was able to set up my system and make my first internet phone call
within 15 minutes!
VoIP adapter ?
A VoIP adapter is a
small device that connects your broadband internet to your VoIP
phone. Its purpose is to translate digital (computer) signals
into analog (sound you can hear), giving your telephone the ability
to make and receive calls over the internet. It is a small
box, about the size of your cable modem or DSL modem. In
addition to making it possible for you to make internet phone calls,
the adapter usually also serves
as a router, providing a connection point for other Ethernet
components on your network. It usually has several ports
(network connection points) on the back to connect equipment your
computer, wireless router, print server, etc... The ports are
similar to a network "power strip", providing the ability to connect
multiple devices into one main "plug".
Your VoIP provider will
most likely include very easy to follow instructions on how to set this up.
All internet phone
service providers normally include good instructions and diagrams
with your VoIP adapter showing you
how to do a VoIP setup. The picture below
(provided by Vonage) is an example of a typical setup using a Linksys
internet phone adapter. Your VoIP adapter may not be the same, but the
basic broadband phone cabling will be similar.
Because your computer is connected to
VoIP internet phone service, you can make phone calls through your PC (with a headset and
the proper software) if your VoIP provider offers
this. If your broadband phone service provider offers PC
calling as an optional feature, you can install software on your
computer or laptop that will in essence make it act like a "VoIP
adapter" - acting as a "translator" between digital and analog phone
signals. This will give you the capability of making internet
phone calls from anywhere - using your computer as the VoIP adapter.
This technology is called "softphone" because it is a software-based
VoIP solution (rather than "hardware-based", using a separate piece
of equipment called a VoIP adapter.)
How many phones can you use with VoIP?
With a typical VoIP
system, the biggest disadvantage is that you can only use one
phone on the system. Some VoIP adapters allow you to connect 2
phones, but they will both have to be located fairly close to the
adapter because they are connected to it. Of course, if you
have cordless phones you can move them all over the house - only the
charging stand has to be connected to the adapter via a telephone
cable.
VoIP phone system
The easiest way to
install VoIP and make it available all through your house or
business is to purchase a VoIP whole-house phone system. This
is an expandable cordless phone system that works without phone
cabling (eliminating the need to use phone jacks and RJ-11 cable).
Although a bit costly at first, specially designed VoIP phones offer
a quick and easy way to install VoIP phones throughout your house
without regard to wiring. The Uniden UIP 1868P is perhaps the best
VoIP phone system on the market today.
| The Uniden UIP 1868P is a
whole house VoIP phone system designed to work with internet
phone service. The
base unit acts as your VoIP adapter as well as a VoIP phone, and the
expandable handset can be placed anywhere in your home or
office. There is no need to locate the phones near
existing phone wiring - this internet phone system does not use
RJ-11 phone wiring. All it needs is a power source. |
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Uniden UIP 1868P Whole-House VoIP phone
system
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You can buy the Unidin UIP 1868P
phone from Packet8 (with VoIP service subscription) or from Amazon.com. This is a great phone and I highly recommend
it. I personally use this phone and it is really top
notch! It comes with 1 expandable handset that you can use
anywhere in your house! You can order more handsets as
needed to build your perfect whole-house VoIP phone system. The base unit is a phone/VoIP
adapter combo device, which acts as a VoIP adapter as well as
a phone. |
Modify Phone Wiring to Work With
VOIP
It is possible to use all of your existing
regular phones with VOIP, by using your existing home phone wiring.
You have to detach your telephone wiring from the phone company
junction box, which isolates your inside phone wiring. In
essence, you are creating a local network with your telephone cable.
This allows all phones to use phone jacks to communicate with each
other. You must disconnect the local phone company's wire that comes into your house, even if the
line is dead. If you don't do this and the phone company
decides to send voltage across the line, it could damage your
telephones or possibly cause a fire. By doing this, you are
isolating all the phone wiring inside your house - allowing this
"network" to work with your VoIP Phone system and nothing else. If you are interested in
modifying your telephone wiring for VOIP, you should find good
detailed instructions at your VoIP provider's website or you can
see some general instructions here:
http://michigantelephone.mi.org/distribute.html.
Use an expandable cordless phone system with more than one
handset, and you will be able to use your VoIP internet phone
service throughout your home without reconfiguring your inside
wires. This is like the UIP 1868P VoIP whole house phone
system offered by Uniden, except you can use any type of cordless
phone system as long as it's expandable. Just buy an
expandable cordless phone system and connect the main phone to your
VoIP adapter. The rest of the phones can be located anywhere
in your house of business.
Want to learn more about Voip? Check out all the books
available at amazon.com: Click here ->>>>
VoIP Books
Portable IP phone (USB Phone)
A portable VoIp phone consists of a
single handset (with a phone number assigned to it) that connects to
your internet connection or computer via an Ethernet cable. This is a good
solution if you travel a lot and want to take your VoIP phone and phone
number with you. Of course, you have to have a high speed broadband
connection in order to use it. You can get prepaid voice over
IP
phone service for use with this type of phone, as well as flat rate
service. I have never used this type of phone, but have a friend
who uses it strictly for making cheap international calls. He is
pleased with this VOIP solution and saves a lot of money on
international long distance!
The most popular portable VoIP
provider is SKYPE. With SKYPE, you can make free phone calls
over the internet if you call other SKYPE users. In-network
calling is free - even if the SKYPE user you are calling is
international. Yes - you can make FREE INTERNATIONAL CALLS
with SKYPE and most other PC-based VoIP
service providers. With this type of service, you either
call over your computer (with an attached headset) or via a USB VoIP
phone that either attaches to your PC or directly to your broadband
connection. Although a little less convenient than regular
VoIP, VoIP softphone service is great because it's portable.
If you travel a lot and
usually have access to a broadband connection (through a hotel or
business location, for example), you should consider VoIP softphone
service. You get all the advantages of regular VoIP service,
but gain the portability of a PC-based internet phone. Most
PC-based VoIP providers allow you the option of using your computer
and headset as the "telephone" or an external USB phone. With
the USB phone, you don't have to connect headphones and dial via a
software dialpad port and dial from it - just like any regular
phone. To purchase a USP phone for use with the VoIP providers
who offer this service, see the recommended products below:
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