VoIP is an acronym for Voice over Internet Protocol that describes the method to place and receive phone calls over the internet. Most people consider VoIP the alternative to the local telephone company.
If you’ve heard of an IP address, that’s your Internet Protocol address. An IP address is how computers and devices communicate with each other on the internet.
VoIP isn’t actually all that new. Telephony has relied on digital lines to carry phone calls since the late 90s. VoIP is a cost-effective way to handle an unlimited number of calls.
In four steps, here's how VoIP works.
Your phone connects to your switch or router in your Local Area Network (LAN).
When you dial a telephone number, your IP phone tells your VoIP service provider to call the other party.
Your VoIP service establishes the call and exchanges data packets from your IP phone.
Your VoIP phone converts these digital signals back into the sound you can hear.