VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is a method of transmitting voice information over IP-based packet networks. VoIP is a relatively new technology and it has already achieved wide acceptance and use. The growth of VoIP today can be compared to that of the Internet in the early 90’s. VoIP offers the ability to transmit more than one telephone call over the same broadband connection.

Using the existing Internet infrastructure makes VoIP a very cost effective solution. For International calling, the monetary savings to the consumer from switching to VoIP technology can be enormous. VoIP has been touted as a long-distance killer since the later 1990s. Telephone calls over the Internet do not incur a surcharge beyond what the user is paying for Internet access.

Using public networks, it is currently difficult to guarantee Quality of Service (QoS). Anyone who has used voice chat software is familiar with the latency issues. VoIP addresses the latency issue using real-time protocol (RTP) to help ensure that packets get delivered in a timely way. VoIP drives everything from voice-chat software to full-blown IP-based telecommunications networks.

The VoIP market is expanding rapidly, with projected numbers of users rising into the millions in the next few years. The introduction of mass-market VoIP services over broadband Internet access was a major development starting in 2004.

Three common methods of connecting to VoIP service providers are:

• Analog Telephone Adapters: Connect between an IP network and an existing telephone jack to provide service. This type of service is generally offered as a cheaper flat-rate traditional phone service.
• Dedicated VoIP phones: Allow VoIP calls without the use of a computer, by connecting directly to the IP network, usually in conjunction with a paid service plan, like the WPU-7800 VOIP Phone
• Softphones: Software that is installed on a computer, which allows VoIP calling without dedicated hardware. This method provides the ability of having a fixed phone number that can move to any country or location.