6 ways to use VoIP [Tutorial]

One of the biggest challenges in increasing the adoption of VoIP is to encourage a newbie to use VoIP. This tutorial is a humble attempt to provide an overview of the various options one has to use VoIP. In the order of increasing convenience, here are the 6 ways to use VoIP. Read on…

• Instant Messengers – This is probably the simplest, though not necessarily the most convenient, method to access VoIP. Yahoo has been offering VoIP service on its messenger since long. You can make low cost calls directly through Yahoo messenger after recharging your account with voice credit. An even cheaper alternative is GtalktoVoIP. GtalktoVoIP provides VoIP facilities within your messengers without any additional software at competitive rates. You can use it with Google Talk, MSN messenger, ICQ, AOL, and Yahoo messenger. Gtalktovoip has tie-ups with several VoIP providers and uses one of them (with the lowest cost) to complete the call. For instance, if you were to call India, the call would be routed through Avangard as the others are more expensive. You can also specify your own VoIP service provider to route the calls to get an even better deal.

Pros – No additional equipment required
Cons – Stuck to a computer, does not give a feeling of using a telephone,

• Soft phones – A soft phone is a computer program to make phone calls over the internet using VoIP. The software is similar to (in terms of look & feel) a typical instant messaging client, but specialized for VoIP communication. It has the ability to connect to a VoIP provider and make regular telephone calls. Soft phones can use standard protocols like SIP, H323 or they can use proprietary protocols. Some good free soft phones that use standard protocols like SIP are Counterpath Xlite, YATE (Yet Another Telephone Engine), GizmoProject, etc. Others, such as Skype use proprietary protocols.

Pros – No additional equipment required
Cons – Stuck to a computer, does not give a feeling of using a telephone

• PC based IP phones – These are little more sophisticated devices that can communicate with the VoIP application on the computer directly. They typically communicate with the computer through the USB port. These devices can initiate the VoIP communication without the PC. The computer, however, is required to complete the communication. Skype phones, Magicjack, etc. are example of such devices.

Pros – Little freedom from the computer (not complete)
Cons – Requires a computer,

• Analog Telephone Adapters (ATA) – is an equipment to connect the traditional analog phone to the VoIP network. An ATA is a useful device to use VoIP without keeping your computer switched on. More information on ATAs can be found here. The most popular ATA providers include Linksys, D-link, Cisco, Grandstream, among others. ATA’s offer more control and flexibility in terms of using VoIP provider, call routing etc. Service providers such as Vonage and Ooma offer preconfigured ATA’s, which do not require any configuration.

Pros – Complete freedom from the computer (except while configuration), flexibility
Cons – Additional investment, Multiple devices (ATA & the phone)

• IP Phones – Instead of using ATAs and a regular analog phone, one can use SIP phones which can directly connect with VoIP service providers. These phones look like regular phones but have a built in ATA to communicate with digital networks. They come in both wired and wireless variety, with the wireless variety being able to use the Wi-Fi network. They are different than the PC based IP phones in the sense that they do not require a computer to complete the communication. Top wired IP phones can be found here and top wireless phones can be found here. The big players in this segment are Linksys, D-link, Cisco, Grandstream, among others.

Pros – Complete freedom from the computer (except while comfiguration), single device
Cons – Lower flexibility

• Regular telephones and mobiles – Yes, you can even use your existing phones to use VoIP. Several VoIP providers provide access numbers to use their service. To make a call, you just dial their access number, dial your pin (this may be optional in some cases) and dial the number you want to be connected. Example of such providers includes Tpad, Airtel, SMSdiscount, among others. Some providers such as Rebtel or Talkster provide local number (in few countries) for your contacts. Once you have a local number for your contact, dial as you would dial any other local number.

Pros – Complete freedom from the computer (except while configuration), no additional investment, no additional device, voice quality does not depend on your internet bandwidth
Cons – Lower flexibility, receiving calls may still be expensive

With so many options, you really do not have an excuse to not use VoIP. If you have any queries about any method, I will be more than happy to assist you. Just drop a line!!!

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