| The following is a brief but effective outline of | | | | Yet another option would be to use a "Softphone" |
| how VoIP services work. This overview applies | | | | solution, which is a software interface which |
| with most consumer and small business VoIP | | | | allows you to use a desktop or laptop PC as a |
| providers and plans, because the basic principles | | | | telephone. In this case, the PC must be |
| and components are generally the same | | | | accompanied by a head set and microphone, or a |
| regardless of provider. | | | | VoIP phone. |
| VoIP Basics | | | | "MAC Address" - Huh? |
| Very simply, VoIP requires 1) a Broadband | | | | For all of these options, the MAC address of the |
| Internet connection via Cable or DSL and 2) a | | | | hardware being used will be required at some |
| piece of hardware that allows the user to send | | | | point during the set-up process, prior to activation |
| and receive calls over the internet. | | | | of service. MAC stands for Media Access Control, |
| The VoIP AdapterFor most people, this hardware | | | | and represents a unique hardware address, and is |
| will take the form of an ATA (Analog Telephone | | | | used in various networking applications including |
| Adapter) commonly shortened to simply "the | | | | VoIP. This is no big deal. When you sign up for |
| adapter". Most adapters on the market currently | | | | service, there are usually clear instructions for |
| are very small, lightweight, and easy to use. They | | | | how to locate the MAC address of your |
| are not much larger than a business card carrying | | | | hardware, if applicable. |
| case. | | | | Wrapping Up |
| VoIP Phones | | | | There you have it, a quick overview of how voip |
| Other options for using VoIP would include using a | | | | works. Providing you have a broadband internet |
| VoIP phone (without adapter) that is SIP | | | | connection, getting started with voip service is |
| compatable. SIP is an application layer control | | | | generally easier than getting service with a |
| protocol commonly used in IP telephony, and it | | | | traditional phone company, and it definitely costs |
| stands for "Session Initiated Protocol". | | | | less. |
| VoIP Softphone | | | | |