In other words, with this conversion you can now make a simple phone call over the Internet.  The biggest, neatest surprise is that this can be done for free!  The software to make this magic happen is available all over the Internet for free too.  How would you like to make Internet calls and no longer need to use your local phone company for services or pay their bill?

This emerging technology may in all likelihood replace today’s telephone technology, as we know it.  Just imagine a great new service without some of the hassles, restraints, and costs with the old phone system.  Can you make phone calls via the Internet and keep it simple?  You bet; there is not just one way to make VoIP calls; there are three different methods that you can use, depending on what will work the best in your situation.

Method number one, which is the most common and the simplest, is to purchase an analog telephone adapter (ATA).  This adapter allows you to plug in your regular telephone into the ATA.  The ATA is basically an analog converter to digital.  Once the signal has been converted to digital, it can then be transmitted over the Internet. 

You plug in the jack at the end of your phone that would normally go into the phone jack on your wall into the ATA instead.  The ATA takes care of the necessary conversion process, and you are ready to make calls!  Many of the large providers such as Vonage and AT&T are working on packages that may even provide the ATA for you.

Method number two is accomplished with a special phone that has the appearance of regular phones that you are familiar with, but they have an RJ-45 jack instead of an RJ-11 phone jack.  These new phones are called IP Phones, and they do not connect to your old standard telephone jack in the wall, but they connect into your router.  These phones include all the software and hardware needed to make an IP call.

Method number three is called computer-to-computer.  The surprise about computer-to-computer is that you will not have to pay for long-distance calls!  At last, a way to keep in touch and save some money at the same time.  Making phone calls via Internet is like a dream that has finally come true.  As you research VoIP on the Internet, you will find that there are several different arrangements, packages, and software for this type of service. 

Many companies are offering free software, and some will charge for their services.  Put some effort into your searches, so you will come out with great phone calls via Internet for you!  To make VoIP calls with your computer in most instances, your PC will need to be equipped with a sound card, speakers, and a microphone. 

You will also need to download the required software from the company that you sign up with.  The only charge for making this type of call would be the charge you already incur by accessing the Internet with your Internet Service Provider (ISP).  In most cases, there are no long distance charges for computer-to-computer calls, no matter how long a distance there is.

Skype Services

Why not take a few minutes and check out Skype; they offer free software for making phone calls over the Internet.  Just download their free software and make phone calls via Internet in a jiffy!  How would you like to be able to talk to your friends and family without worrying about distance, time, or the cost? 

Try out their free Skype-to-Skype calls and see if it is just right for you.  Be sure and start by getting some information at http://www.skype.com/getconnected/, so you can learn even more about how simple it is to use their system.  Skype offers a “Pay AS You Go” plan, where you add money into your account to cover the calls you are going to make.

Factors To Consider When Ordering VoIP

The going rates for VoIP providers is pretty competitive right now, so hopefully that will not be a condition you will have to deal with when searching for the right provider for phone calls via Internet.  Some of the impressive offers that many of these companies will offer you include unlimited calling to many different countries.  That is great if you are one of those people that requires making long distance call overseas every month.  If you rarely ever make this type of call, then perhaps this type of package is of little value for you.

One of the best ways to evaluate a new VoIP provider is to check into all the reviews about their services that are listed on the Internet.  Find out the real deal from people that have used their services and learn what makes a good provider and a not so good provider.  Another item of importance to people using a new service that they are not familiar with is good to great customer service. 

Let’s face it; this is probably new territory for a lot of you; make sure you have access to someone to help you when you encounter a problem.  Another issue that comes up with VoIP service is emergency calls to 911.  Before you sign up with a plan, find out how they handle 911 calls, what needs to be done for access, and if this is workable for your needs.

Where To Find VoIP Services

Two big providers that you may be familiar with are Vonage at http://www.vonage.com as well as VocalTec at http://www.vocaltec.com/.  You can locate a huge list of residential providers by contacting Voip-infor.org at http://www.voip-info.org/wiki/view/VOIP+Service+Providers+Residential.  Who would have thought that now you can easily make phone calls via Internet!