Can I send a fax with VoIP

Yes. Faxes can be sent by email to a traditional fax machine or from a traditional fax machine to a preselected email address.

What is the technical overview of VoIP

VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol which refers to calls that traverse networks using Internet Protocol. The voice stream is broken down into packets, compressed and sent toward its final destination by various routes (as opposed to establishing a single, ‘permanent’ connection for the duration of the call as with traditional phone line), depending on the most efficient paths given network congestion, etc. At the other end, the packets are reassembled, decompressed, and converted back into a voice stream by various hardware and software elements, depending on the nature of the call and its final destination.

For an illustration of how VoIP works click here.

If the internet connection is down, what happens to incoming calls?

The Voiteck solution automatically defaults to your PSTN (public switch Telephone network) lines, other numbers will default to your voicemail.

How does one make or receive a VoIP phone all?

With a phone-based system you would us VoIP the same way you use a regular landline. With a computer-based service, you can call using a headset with a microphone plugged into your computer.

How good is the voice clarity?

It is now the quality of a traditional landline phone and sometimes even exceeding that level. The quality of VoIP voice has dramatically improved over the last few years.

What are VoIP’s Conferencing capabilities?

VoIP conferencing allows for the creation of virtual meeting spaces. It often integrates voice and web conferencing that merges voice with content such as presentations and other communication modalities such as instant messaging. Advanced features in this area include the ability to transcribe speech into text and the ability to search conference archives for keywords and specific topics. Plus, interstate offices can hold a conference call for the call of a local call.

Analogue

A continuous signal of information represented by slight changes in amplitude. Generally representing physical variables such as resistance, voltage, current, etc.

Broadband

Is a term used to describe high speed Internet connection, generally provided by cable TV, DSL or dedicated telecom lines.

Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)

A high-speed digital switched service using existing copper pairs to connect subscriber CPE (Customer Premises Equipment) to the Central Office. DSL handles more data downstream (data flowing towards the subscriber) than upstream (towards the network).

IP address

An IP address, also know as Internet Protocol address, is the machine number used to identify all devices that are connected to the net. Each device has its own unique number which it uses to communicate.

IP telephony

IP telephony refers to the two-way transmission of voice over Internet. The voice is transmitted in real time by using the packet-switched technology over the IP network.

ISP (Internet Service Provider)

A business that provides subscriber-based access to the Internet. ISPs use Internet Routers, Servers and Rack-Mounted modems to provide a variety of services including Web Site hosting, FTP service, e-mail accounts, unified messaging, audio and video broadcasting and in some cases, Internet Telephony (VoIP) and Fax Gateway service.

PSTN

PSTN stands for Public Switched Telephone Network, refers to the telephone system that transmits analogue voice data. PSTN was the centre of all phone systems worldwide, however most of the developed world is now switching to or have switched to telephone networks that are based on digital technologies.

Real-Time

Communications wherein perceptible delays between the sender and receiver are minimal and easily tolerated are considered to take place in real-time. Regular telephone calls are real time. Point-to-point fax transmissions are near to real-time. Voice messaging is not real time.

Skype

Skype is a peer-to-peer Internet telephony company that revolutionised the way voice calls are made by using VoIP technology. The company, which has been acquired by eBay, was founded by Niklas Zennström and Janus Friis. Skype users can speak to other Skype users for free, but have to pay a small fee for calling or receiving calls from conventional phones.

Telephony

Telephony means the process of converting or transmitting voice or other signals over a distance, and then re-converting them to an audible sound at the far end.

Voice over IP (VOIP)

VoIP or Voice over IP is the technology that is used to transmit voice over the Internet. The voice is first converted into digital data which is then organized into small packets. These packets are stamped with the destination IP address and routed over the Internet. At the receiving end the digital data is reconverted into voice and fed into the user’s phone.

VOIP PBX

VoIP PBX, which stands for Voice over Internet Protocol Private Branch eXchange, is a telephone switch that converts IP phone calls into traditional circuit-switched TDM connections. It also supports traditional analogue and digital telephones.

VOIP services

The VoIP services are packet-based services that use the Internet to move voice data. These services are much cheaper than the traditional PSTN services because the investment in infrastructure is low. They also come with several value added features which make them more lucrative than the conventional landline phone services.