Some Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use my computer while I talk on the phone? In most cases, yes.
- The way to identify whether you have received a VoIP phone call is not difficult, as a special VoIP phone or regular telephone connected to a VoIP adaptor, will ring similar to a traditional telephone (unless you receve your calls using a PC, where the software of the supplier will alert you to an incoming call)
- Unless your service requires it, your computer does not necessarily have to be turned onto make or receive a VoIP call, but all VoIP services require an active broad band Internet connection to make or receive calls.
- If I have VoIP service, I can speak to:
- anyone with a telephone number (i.e. anything from local through to international calls can be made) or possibly only other subscribers (it depends on the service)
- more than one person at a time (depending on the service being offered)
- anyone with a regualr analog telephone (because they do not require any special equipment to receive the call)
Corporate and Telco Use
Telecommunications providers now routinely use IP telephony, often over a dedicated IP network, to connect switching stations, and convert voice signals to IP packets and back.
As a result the 'telcos' have a data-abstracted digital network at their disposal, which is easily upgradable and can be used for multiple purposes (i.e. corporate customer telephone support).
Use in Amateur Radio
Amateur radio has adopted VoIP by linking repeaters and users to programs such as Echolink, which specifically, allows users to connect to repeaters via their computer - over the Internet - rather than by using a radio.
Corporate and Telco Use
Click-to-call is a service which lets users click a button and immediately speak with a customer service representative
(over VoIP, or a traditional phone (via customer request of an immediate call back), and this allows companies to monitor when online visitors change from the website to a phone sales channel.
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