What Are Broadband Phones?
Author: Chris Snow

Phones that use Voice Over Internet Protocol, or VoIP, are
generally referred to as broadband phones. The major function
of such phones is converting analog voice data into digital
data so it can be transmitted over the Internet. The phones
link to high-speed Internet connections via computers that
enable voice communications. Broadband phones have transformed
the Internet into a technology that can provide telephone calls
for free by avoiding traditional phone service providers.

VoIP phone technology has the capability of changing the way
people talk to one another around the world. VoIP service
providers are growing by leaps and bounds, and major phone
firms are establishing a presence in markets worldwide by
offering calling plans that have bundled VoIP broadband phones
with their other services. The Federal Communications
Commission and other regulators around the world have started
to investigate the new technology and study the impact and
future risks associated with it.

The VoIP phone looks just like a traditional phone. While a
regular phone connects to the wall socket with an RJ-11
connector, a broadband phone connects to a computer or router
using an RJ-45 connector. All broadband phones come with
software pre-loaded to handle IP calls. In a recent innovation,
Wi-Fi VoIP broadband phones have become available. These phones
can make calls via any Wi-Fi hotspot. VoIP can also use ATA
sets, which are telephone-like boxes that connect to a computer
and convert analog voice data to digital signals. VoIP can
connect calls made from one computer to another computer as
well. This means users only pay for the Internet connection and
not for the call itself. VoIP phones are dedicated devices and
can be used only for making calls using this technology,
however. To get a taste of what is available in a VoIP phone,
users can check out the latest version of Yahoo Messenger,
which is voice-enabled. It can be used to make
computer-to-computer calls, and it is very easy. Another place
to check is http://www.skype.com.

Long-distance callers may be making VoIP calls involuntarily
using their VoIP phones and paying regular costs. This is
because most phone firms around the world want to reduce their
bandwidth by routing some calls through circuit switches to an
IP gateway.

Experts predict that all the existing phone technology that
currently uses circuit-switched networks will be replaced by
packet-switching technology. VoIP offers financial and
infrastructure efficiencies, costs less, and is more effective.
Broadband phones are used by most corporations, and it only a
matter of time before they are commonly used in individual
households. VoIP phones can be used to call anywhere in the
world that has a broadband Internet connection. VoIP firms
offer rate plans similar to those of cell phone companies for
individuals who want only VoIP broadband phones, usually $30 to
$80 per month. Users can take their phones anywhere or use a
laptop computer to make PC-to-PC calls.


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