Introduction

VOIP stands for Voice Over Internet Protocol. It allows to call using internet protocol. Online chatting is quite a familiar topic for almost all internet users. People using internet in their daily life frequently uses yahoo chat, google talk, rediff bol etc. These all are actually a form of VOIP only. But there we need to have a computer, a headphone or other accessories and then only we can have conversation.

Internet telephony provides us the facility to make a call with our base phone. We can use our basic/PSTN phone to call not with normal telephone network but with the help of internet. Its cost effectiveness makes it more popular and it is best for making ISD calls.

Requirements

Internet telephony only requires an internet connection with a minimum speed of 64Kbps, a base phone and DSL/ADSL modem (generally provided by service providers). Broadband internet connectiion is always preferred for VOIP rather than dial-up because dial-up is quite slow and may create disturbances in sound.
Modems provided by the company(service providers) are already configured to their servers.

VOIP services in India

In India there are several companies which provides VOIP services. To name some are Vonage, Worldphone, Skype, Zylog. To get a VOIP service you need to apply for a VOIP connection in any of these company. They will provide you with the necessary setup or you can even use their vouchers which will allow to you to directly login to their website and make a call using their credit voucher. For a basic VOIP service you may either opt for a prepaid one or a postpaid.

Almost all the call centres and other corporate units uses VOIP to reduce their cost.

Benefits

As already discussed that VOIP is is being used extensively due to its cost effectiveness, it is best for STD and ISD calls. Most of VOIP service providers charges Rs 0.75 to Rs 1.50 per minute to almost all major countries. Unlike mobile networks and PSTN lines VOIP is really very cheap and the quality of voice is also pretty good.