What is VOIP

Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) is a term used to describe the digitisation and transmission of voice over computer networks (IP networks) including the Internet.

To best explain how VOIP works it might be easier to understand a little more about how an IP network actually woks.
To draw an analogy, imagine the internet as simply being wires connecting computers all over the globe. Each wire can contain lots of different signals which could be described as channels.

Each channel effectively carries a signal relating to a particular purpose, for example EMail, Web Browsing, Instant Messaging (MSN), Voice (VOIP) etc...

When you speak into an IP handset your voice is converted into a digital signal which then travels to the PBX unit.
The PBX unit then acts as a kind of exchange, making decisions about where to send your digitised voice.
This could be to another extension, a person using another IP phone on the internet or the normal telephone network.

When a VOIP call is destined for a normal land line the call gets routed back onto the normal telephone system by your chosen VOIP provider (of which there are many).
The call rates are set by your VOIP provider, however many have plans that include all normal land line calls (regardless of destination) at only 10c per call or less
NO FLAGFALL, NO TIMING.

Voip saves you money

Given that your phone calls can be sent across the internet it means that geographical distance to the destination receiver is no longer an issue; in the same way that emailing someone in Melbourne costs no more than emailing someone in Perth.

This effectively makes every normal land line call a local call, no matter where (in Australia) you are calling.

This would be a great time to take your phone bill and look at the number of calls made to all normal land lines (including local, STD and 13 numbers, but not including mobile or special numbers).
Add up the total number of calls and the total cost of those calls.

Lets say there were 500 calls for the month totaling $400 (an average of 80c per call).
The same VOIP bill would be $50 (at 10c per call).

This is an overall saving of 87.5%

What about Mobiles and other types of calls?

Mobile phone charges are largely dictated by the mobile networks and cannot offer the same kind of savings as calling normal land lines, however you will find many VOIP providers who offer packages that include a number of free normal calls and reduced mobile rates.

Freecall numbers such as 1800 are still free when using VOIP

Things you need to know

Because VOIP utilises your internet connection to send telephone calls across the internet there are a few important considerations

• You will need a broadband internet connection of at least 512/256kbps or better
• Your internet connection needs to be stable - i.e. without persistent dropouts
• Satellite internet is not suitable for VOIP due to high latency
• Some wireless internet solutions are suitable
• Your modem may need to support QOS (quality of service) to ensure that your VOIP traffic is given priority over other traffic (we are happy to help you with this)
• If your internet connection drops out your QuickSwitch PBX will simply route your calls via your normal telephone line/s.

If you choose to utilise VOIP for your QuickSwitch PBX we will provide a free no-obligation test of your internet connection to ensure that it is suitable for VOIP traffic.