Voice Over IP

Overview Also known as “Internet telephony” or “IP telephony”, voice over IP (VoIP) technology allows for real-time voice conversations using the Internet. These conversations can be conducted via PC-to-PC, PC-to-telephone, or telephone-to-PC. VoIP technology, although relatively recent, promises to be an inexpensive means of increasing both individual and business connectivity via the Internet. More and more voice over IP resources are appearing on the Internet. Many of these resources are geared toward business applications. Some VoIP Web sites provide free software that enables your PC to take advantage of this growing technology. 

General Information What is VoIP? How does it work? What are the basic requirements for use of VoIP on a PC? Answers to these questions and links to Web sites with additional VoIP information can be found at Webopedia’s Internet telephony page. Would you be surprised to discover that many telephone companies use VoIP to transmit at least some public and private voice data? Visit the IP Telephony page at HowStuffWorks.com to read about VoIP technology. The article ”Voice over IP is a (fast) moving target “ by Betsy Yocom provides a good overview of the rapidly changing world of VoIP. Or, visit Jiri Kuthan’s “The On-line Reference for Internet Telephony” to read frequently updated articles about advances in VoIP technology. For reviews of VoIP technologies, software, and systems, visit www.eweek.com.

Voice over IP Resources VoIP is constantly evolving into a more useful Internet communication tool. New VoIP products, both free and commercial, enter the market with regularity. Visit the Open Source Directory’s "Telephony" page to review and download the latest free VoIP utilities. For the current commercial VoIP offerings, visit this Columbia University page. Further technical details and resources including listings of VoIP protocols, standards, and references can be found at www.protocols.com/pbook/VoIP.htm. A great resource for Voice over IP information, news, and discussion is www.tmcnet.com/voip.

Would you like to try a free version of VoIP on your own PC? If so, visit any of the following Web sites to review, download, and run free Internet telephony software. With the addition of a microphone connected to your sound card, you will be ready to carry on conversations using the Internet.

• www.icq.com/telephony/telephony.html
• www.phonefree.com
• www.skype.com
• www.pc-telephone.com/pc-to-pc.htm

Additional Links As with the advent of any new technology that can be viewed as a threat to traditionally established methods, VoIP technology has begun to stir up legal and procedural issues. To learn about the opposition to VoIP technology, as well as the legal issues that will need to be resolved, read the article “The Growth of Internet Telephony: Legal and Policy Issues” by Emir A Mohammed.