VoIP Phones
There are many ways to make VoIP calls. You could use a VoIP adapter, connect your company’s PBX to a VoIP gateway or even use your cellular phone to make VoIP calls. But even though there is a variety of ways to make VoIP calls, the most popular way to make VoIP calls is to use VoIP Phones. Not familiar with VoIP phones? Read-on to learn more.
What are VoIP Phones?
VoIP Phones are special telephones that have the proper hardware and software to send and receive VoIP calls. VoIP Phones use VoIP Technology completely replace traditional telephones (and even enhance what one can do with a telephone), allowing you to make VoIP calls anywhere you can connect to a Local Area Network (LAN) or the Internet. Although VoIP Phones use a different type of technology when compared with the traditional telephones that you are use to, they are just as simple and easy to use.
What are the different types of VoIP Phones?
VoIP Phones can take many shapes and sizes. Because of the nature VoIP, there are VoIP Phones that are all software based (called softphones) that sit on your desktop or laptop, VoIP Phones that connect to your PC via USB, even wireless VoIP Phones that connect to your home’s wireless router. You could even turn your WiFi enabled cellular phone into a VoIP phone by downloading a piece of software that will allow you to make wireless VoIP calls. Regardless of the different types of VoIP phones, almost all VoIP phones allow you to do the same things. You can read more about the benefits of VoIP Phones in the next section.
Recommended VoIP Phones
When it comes to VoIP phones there are a ton of choices available to you. Some of these choices are better than others and over the last few years the following VoIP phones have proven to be popular with users:
What are the benefits of using VoIP Phones?
There are many benefits to using VoIP phones, but the greatest benefit derived from the use of VoIP phones is the simplicity of implementation. With VoIP Phones, in order to get the up and running, all you need to do is connect them to your network (via an Ethernet cable or wirelessly), power them up (using an AC power supply or Power over Ethernet) and you are only moments away from making a call. Compare this with the alternative, putting a device in between you current telephone and your network and you can see why VoIP phones are so popular.
How much do VoIP Phones cost?
VoIP phones vary greatly in cost. Some VoIP phones, like USB or softphones, cost less than $50 USD, while other VoIP phones, such as ones with color screens or even video capabilities can cost upwards for $500 USD. Although the cost of VoIP phones varies greatly, you should be able to get a solid business VoIP phone for around $150 USD and a solid SOHO VoIP phone for under $100 USD.
Who uses VoIP Phones?
VoIP Phones are used by anyone. Whether you are using VoIP in your home, your office or even if you want to make VoIP calls from your local coffee shop, VoIP phones are being used by millions to make that important business call or touch-in with family and friends.
Hopefully by now you are feeling a little more comfortable with VoIP Phones. If you looking to learn more about how you can use your cellular phone as a VoIP Phone or how to use VoIP phones to make low cost international calls, check some of the educational articles to your left.
