Many people are still wondering, how can the use of VoIP help reduce phone bills? Let’s get down to basics to understand how using VoIP can help you reduce your phone bills, increase productivity in your workplace, and ensure you get the job done.

What is VoIP?

If you’re a regular Internet user and use services like Skype, you’ve probably already heard of VoIP. However, here is a brief synopsis for you.

VoIP refers to Voice over Internet Protocol. It is also known as IP telephony, Internet telephony, voice over broadband (VoBB), broadband telephony, IP communications, and broadband telephone service. You incur costs for every minute you call from your telecommunications provider. This is because the general communication there is carried out through the Public Switched Telephone Network, better known as PSTN. However, under VoIP, the Internet is used for the same service. In other words, you can send messages and make calls over the Internet without paying to call others. This is because it does not use the traditional uses of calling others and does not need the traditional communication network.

What does VoIP mean for consumers?

VoIP services for the mass market were introduced in 2004. Today, broadband Internet access can be found commonly in homes. VoIP uses this same bandwidth to allow you to make calls over the Internet the same way you normally would. There are many packages offered by providers. For example, you can pay a monthly subscription fee and get unlimited national calls. There are even specific packages to suit the needs of people who make a lot of international calls. You can connect to the VoIP provider using a VoIP phone. There are three ways you can achieve this:

– Wifi: A VoIP phone can be connected directly to the Wifi or to the Ethernet.

– Analog Telephone Adapter: A normal telephone can be connected to the network using this device.

– Softphone: It is available on the device itself. There is a microphone and a headset with which you can talk. There is an on-screen dial pad that can be used for the same purpose as a dial pad on a phone. It’s basically a phone, but a digital one.

What if you are a mobile phone user?

These days, you can use your mobile phone to call someone without using their mobile phone calling service using VoIP. All you need is a smartphone. It is available as an app in the app stores of all major operating systems. Apart from this, VoIP has also been implemented in many chat services like Skype and Gtalk. For example, you can make calls and send text messages from Gtalk to people all over the world.