IP Phones
IP Phones are arguably the future of vocal communication, integrating themselves easily into the traditional landline phone market because they share the same functions but also adding many benefits which are not possible via traditional telephone networks. The IP stands for Internet Protocol and in this case identified the fact that IP Phones use the internet in order to function and so those with a broadband connection are the only people who will be able to benefit from the technology that they offer. All IP Phones use VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) services to make and receive calls with both landline numbers and other IP Phone users around the globe.
IP Phone Design
For the most part IP phones will look very similar to any telephone handset and base unit that you will use on a standard telephone line, with either a handset connected to the base unit via a cord or cordless varieties available, which is something we'll explore a little later on. On the base unit you will usually find an alphanumeric keypad, a display that will provide you with various information and allow you to set up the IP phone and a few other face buttons or a touch pad for further control. Such phones are usually described as Hardware-based IP phones and operate without the need for a PC, though of course most require an Ethernet connection in order to connect to the local network and then the internet. These types of phones are usually referred to as standalone IP Phones because they can be used anywhere with a router and a spare Ethernet port. Some even get their power via Ethernet, though most will require a separate power supply from the mains.
Wi-Fi IP Phones
The second variety of IP Phone will be a Wi-Fi enable device which will be able to connect to a Wireless network in order to make calls over the internet via VoIP. Into this grouping will fall home Wi-Fi handsets as well as Mobile phone handsets with VoIP functionality. There are several networks which provide such handsets to customers, some with pre-installed software and hardware that lets you make VoIP calls whenever you're in range of a Wireless network. Some handsets will also be able to take advantage of 3G and HSDPA networks in order to make VoIP calls, though you will often incur the subsequent data charges which vary between providers.
PC IP Phones
Some IP Phones will need to be connected to your PC in order to make calls and are used in tandem with VoIP providers like Skype to make and receive calls. This requires that your PC is of course on and that you're signed into your VoIP service of choice, though it will make calling people feel much more like the methods that you're used to. The other PC based IP Phone option is a softphone, so called because they require a PC and software in order to function rather than a piece of dedicated hardware. This means that all you need to make a VoIP call is a headset with a microphone and speakers. Video calling is also available via certain VoIP services, though this will require a considerably faster and very consistent connection to get the most out of.
Benefits of IP Phones
One of the major benefits of IP phones is that making calls between IP phones is usually free of charge, meaning home and mobile IP phone users will be able to chat amongst one another guilt-free. This is because of the always-on broadband connections they utilise, a benefit which means you can also access all of the other functions you'd expect from a traditional phone. This includes caller ID so you know who's calling you, conference calling, holding calls and many others. There's also reams of added functionality exclusive to IP phones. Firstly there's the capability to dial using a username rather than a number and find contacts via their username. Then there's access to interactive content and live updates on everything from news and sports to weather and stocks, all on your IP Phone. Because IP Phones use digital technology in general the audio quality is significantly better than the kind that you would expect to find from a traditional telephone. You can also connect multiple IP Phones to a single home network, particularly useful if you use Wi-Fi enabled devices. This means that calling between IP phones within a single property is possible, making it ideal for small businesses or inter-room calling.
Disadvantages of IP Phones
You'll need access to a network within your home and a high speed broadband connection to take full advantage of all that IP Phones have to offer. It's worth bearing in mind that IP Phones can suffer from problems if your connection isn't fast enough or if the local telephone exchange has a lot of broadband connections eating up the bandwidth. This can result in relatively bad quality audio as well as the chance that a call might be cut off all together in particularly bad spots and during busy times of the day.
Bear in mind that you will usually need to set up an IP Phone with a specific VoIP service provider in order to make calls to other IP Phones and landline numbers and that while calls via VoIP are usually free or cheap, calling traditional landlines will cost you in the same way as it always has. There are a few competing VoIP networks who you can opt for and you may even be able to keep your username and IP Phone number when you switch, though as this is still a growing industry there is yet to be a standardisation of such procedures. There are IP Phone out there for consumers as well as business users and in each nation and region there are different providers who'll get you set up. You may require a bit of computing knowledge or networking expertise to get everything working as intended, but seeking help is easy online.
