VoIP – Voice over

internet protocol

Michael Dominy

What it is?

Voice Over Internet Protocol.

Technology for making phone calls over the internet.

Converts analogue signals to data packets.

Who uses it? Consumer

A consumer would use it in an everyday instance, for example to communicate with family or friends across the world, via the internet.

Who uses it? Corporate

Companies use Voice conferencing to communicate with colleagues in other countries and places.

They may also convert their original phone lines to use VoIP to save on phone costs and run it through the internet instead.

What programs incorporate it?

Skype is the obvious choice for VoIP, consumers use it to communicate with friends and family all over the world.

Apple’s “FaceTime” is another way of communicating, however this is only video it does not have a “just speech” option.

How do companies like skype make money?

Skype makes money by selling credits as “pay as you go” or a subscription.

This lets you use as much as you like or pay for what you use.

Free VoIP

FaceTime is a free video calling service which apple provides.

It comes with all modern Apple products, such as iPod touch.

Skype is another form of free VoIP.