close
The price comparison tools on this website require you to disable Adblock for full functionality. Please consider disabling your ad blocker on our website in order to best take advantage of our tools.
Home > What Is Voip

What is VoIP?

VoIP, short for Voice Over Internet Protocol, is a digital phone service that transmits voice over the internet instead of over traditional analog telephone lines.

VoIP is convenient, cheap, and comes with great features. If you are paying for landline phone service or traditional PBX service, you should consider a VoIP phone service. If you have a high-speed Internet connection, you are the perfect candidate for VoIP phone service.

VoIP phone service has come a long way in a very short time and is growing in popularity with both residential and business consumers. Reducing costs is a top priority for many consumers, especially in today's global economic climate, and a VoIP phone plan can help you significantly reduce your monthly phone bill.

Of course, you should see for yourself how VoIP can meet your needs. VoIP comes in a few different shapes and sizes, so it's important to know what's best for you. Read below for more detailed information on VoIP phone service.

Still not sure? Try our saving calculator

Find out which VoIP providers can help you save money on your monthly phone bill!

Want a more in-depth view?

Easily compare VoIP providers and plans on pricing, features, customer service, and more.

infographic of a standard VoIP phone system

How Does VoIP Work?

VoIP is an innovative way to make cheap phone calls

VoIP phone service (Voice over IP; also known as digital phone service, digital telephony, or broadband phone) replaces your phone line with a high-speed Internet connection. It's that simple.

While traditional telephone service compresses your voice into a frequency on a wire, VoIP compresses the sound of your voice into packets of data. These compressed data packets are then sent over the Internet. When the data reaches the final destination, it is converted back to sound. If use VoIP to call someone on the traditional phone network (the "PSTN" or Public Switched Telephone Network), the VoIP call is converted to sound once it reaches the network and the call is routed normally. The difference is that you've paid a lot less for that call by using a VoIP service provider.

If you're a visual learner, the diagram to the right will help to show you how VoIP calls are routed. The most typical call path is phone-to-phone, which you can trace in the diagram from the Conventional Telephone to The Real World. This is what your call path will look like when it's routed by a VoIP company to the PSTN.

VoIP international calling

What does VoIP mean for me?

You can utilize VoIP for more affordable calling

Choosing VoIP means saving money on your monthly phone bill without sacrificing quality or convenience.

Use VoIP like any other phone: pick up, wait for the tone, and dial the number. That's it. There are no extra numbers to dial and no special rules to follow. You don't need a new phone to call with VoIP, either; just a VoIP adapter or a mobile app on your mobile device. A majority of providers offer a BYOD service to make your transition to VoIP easy. And if you have a headset and VoIP software, then you can just call from your computer. Computer-to-computer calls may be free, too. But if you call the public network or an external phone from your computer, you will likely be charged per minute.

We recommend checking out VoIP phones and a VoIP phone service. VoIP service is much cheaper than traditional telephone service, especially when it comes to long distance and international calls. A majority of VoIP providers offer free local, long distance, and on-network calling. Some even give you free minutes! Also, VoIP solutions come complete with features for better productivity and call management. What's advanced for the phone company These features come standard with VoIP phones, while traditional .

One example is voicemail. You probably have some kind of answering machine with your old-school telephone. With VoIP voicemail, you get the improved functionality (for instance, the ability to call someone back directly and easily), plus you can get each voicemail emailed to you as an audio file attachment. You can even use your email to track missed calls or call the person back & directly from your email. That nifty feature is called "Click to Call."

high-speed internet for VoIP

Will VoIP tie up my Internet connection?

A high-speed Internet connection is a requirement for VoIP

The short answer is: no. Your broadband Internet and ISP (Internet Service Provider) can handle the slight increase in traffic due to your VoIP service. VoIP will not consume your Internet connection. You can still talk on the phone and browse the internet at the same time without a problem.

You should be wary, though, of how many users and/or devices are connected to your Internet. The more users and more concurrent calls, the stronger your broadband connection needs to be for quality VoIP calls.

If you are at all concerned about whether or not your Internet connection can handle a VoIP phone service, use our Speed Test to check your results. With our speed test, you will be able to see whether or not your current broadband connection is VoIP-ready. Plus, your results will show you what services are supported with your Internet. There is also a helpful troubleshooting guide on how to test your VoIP connection. 

Circuit Switch Technology (PSTN)

Here's how a traditional phone system operates

Historically, telecommunication companies have relied on what is commonly referred to as ‘circuit-switched technology’ to transport telephone calls. This technology establishes a 'permanent' connection between the calling and the receiving parties for the entire duration of the call, therefore keeping anyone else from using the physical lines while the call is in process.

The problem with circuit-switched technology is that it requires a significant amount of bandwidth dedicated to each call. Furthermore, circuit-switched technology can only support certain types of calls (i.e. telephone-to-telephone). Moreover, the hardware needed to run circuit-switched networks is very expensive because voice and data services must be carried by different wires, and therefore, need separate hardware to accommodate the two types of traffic. The high cost of this hardware has caused many traditional telephone companies to start using parts of the Internet infrastructure to connect PSTN calls. You may have already placed or received a call using VoIP technology without even knowing it!

Naturally, the traditional telephone companies pass along the costs of building and maintaining a circuit-switched network to the consumer in the form of higher rates for their telephone services. Telecom companies may save some money by borrowing from Internet bandwidth, but if your call is placed on a regular telephone using PSTN hardware, you won't see these savings.

typical traditional PSTN phone
voice over internet protocol

Voice over Internet Protocol Technology

The more affordable and easier way to make calls

As the name implies, VoIP refers to calls that traverse networks using Internet Protocol (IP). This can mean that calls are traveling over the Internet, or it may mean that calls are traveling over privately managed data networks that use IP to transport calls from one location to another.

The voice stream is broken down into packets, compressed, and sent toward its final destination by various routes (as opposed to establishing a 'permanent' connection for the duration of the call), depending on the most efficient paths given network congestion.

At the receiving end, the packets are reassembled, decompressed, and converted back into a voice stream by various hardware and software elements. Whether the call originated on a PC, telephone, or an Integrated Access Device (IAD), and whether it is going to be terminated on a PC, telephone, or IAD, will determine the type of software and hardware needed to initiate and complete the call. Over the years, broadband phone providers have been working on improving and re-engineering the hardware and software used in VoIP calls. Today you can compare a VoIP provider’s voice-quality to the traditional circuit-switched technology and find that the VoIP provider’s quality is often superior. VoIP services and features have also evolved and allow customers many new and exciting options, such as online account management, conference calling, call forwarding, and virtual numbers.

infographic of a standard VoIP phone system

A Technical Overview of VoIP

Uncovering the technical side of VoIP

Many years ago it was discovered that sending a signal to a remote destination could be done in a digital fashion: before sending it we have to digitalize it with an ADC (analog to digital converter), transmit it, and at the end transform it again in analog format with DAC (digital to analog converter) to use it.

VoIP services work in just that manner, converting your voice into data packets, sending them, and then reassembling them into sound at their destination.

Digital format can be better controlled. We can compress, route, and convert it to a better format, and so on. Also, we saw that a digital signal is more noise tolerant than an analog signal.

TCP and IP networks are made of IP packets containing a header (to control communication) and a payload to transport data. VoIP uses the header to navigate the network to its destination. The payload carries bits of the conversation.

What are the advantages to using VoIP rather than the Public Switched Telephone Network (or more commonly, the phone company)?

When you are using a PSTN line, you typically pay a line manager company for the time used. The more time you talk, the more you'll pay. In addition, you will probably not have the option of speaking with more than one person at a time.

In contrast, VoIP Services allow you to talk as long as you would like with multiple people (other people may also need to be connected to the Internet) as far away as you want for free or for a fraction of the PSTN cost. You can also browse the Internet at the same time; sending images, graphs, and videos to the people you are talking with.

popular VoIP-related terms

The Basic Steps in VoIP Communication

What it takes to complete your call

On the back end of VoIP, here is what happens when you place a call over a VoIP connection:

  1. ADC converts analog voice to digital signals (also known as bits)
  2. The bits are compressed into a format for transmission. There are a number of protocols, SIP being the most common for VoIP.
  3. The voice packets are compressed even further into data packets using a real-time protocol (typically RTP over UDP over IP).
  4. A signaling protocol calls the users: ITU-T H323 is the standard signaling protocol.
  5. Upon arrival at the destination, the packets are disassembled, data is extracted, and converted analog voice signals are sent to the sound card (or phone).

All of the steps must occur in real-time to avoid waiting too long for a vocal answer! (See QoS section)

VoIP settings

The Tech Behind Your VoIP Call

Additional technical information on your VoIP connection

Analog to Digital Conversion: This process occurs inside computer hardware, typically an integrated card in your PC or an external telephone adaptor.

Today every sound card allows 16-bit conversion from a band of 22050 Hz (for sampling you need a freq of 44100 Hz according to the Nyquist Principle) obtaining a throughput of 2 bytes * 44100 (samples per second) = 88200 Bytes/s, 176.4 Kbytes/s for a stereo stream.

For VoIP, we needn't such a throughput (176kBytes/s) to send voice packets.

Compression Algorithms: Now that we have digital data it can be converted to a standard format that can be quickly transmitted.

PCM, Pulse Code Modulation, Standard ITU-T G.711

  • Voice bandwidth is 4 kHz, so sampling bandwidth has to be 8 kHz (for Nyquist).
  • We represent each sample with 8 bit (having 256 possible values).
  • Throughput is 8000 Hz *8 bit = 64 kbit/s, as a typical digital phone line.

In real application mu-law (North America) and a-law (Europe) variants are used which code analog signal in a logarithmic scale using 12 or 13 bits instead of 8 bits.

Quality of Service (QoS): VoIP applications require real-time data streaming to support an interactive data voice exchange.

Unfortunately, TCP/IP cannot guarantee this kind of purpose; it just makes a "best effort" to do so. So we need to introduce tricks and policies that can manage the packet flow in EVERY router we cross. If you subscribe to one of the broadband phone company providers their technical support can help you setup your router to optimize voice transmission. Technical support can be a distinguishing factor in determining which of the VoIP providers you choose.

VoipReview tools

Improving VoIP Transmission

Things to consider in order to get the most out of your VoIP service

  1. TOS field in IP protocol to describe the type of service: high values indicate low urgency while lower values denote more real-time urgency.
  2. Queuing packets methods:
    • FIFO (First in First Out), the less intelligent method that allows passing packets in arrival order.
    • WFQ (Weighted Fair Queuing), means the fair passing of packets (for example, FTP cannot consume all available bandwidth), depending on the type of data flow, typically one packet for UDP and one for TCP in a fair fashion.
    • CQ (Custom Queuing), a user can define priority.
    • PQ (Priority Queuing), a number (typically 4) of queues with priority levels for each one: packets in the first queue are sent first, then (when the first queue is empty) starts sending from the second one and so on.
    • CB-WFQ (Class Based Weighted Fair Queuing), like WFQ but, in addition, we have class concepts (up to 64) and the bandwidth value associated for each one.
  3. Shaping capability allowing limitation of the source to a fixed bandwidth for:
    • download
    • upload
  4. Congestion avoidance, such as RED (Random Early Detection).

Select And Compare the Following Business VoIP Providers

Find out how much you can save today on Business VoIP

Compare top Business VoIP providers in the table below

Image VoipPreview
Provider Plan Features Rate/min. Trial Period Setup Fees Monthly Fees Details
RATED #1 BY INDUSTRY EXPERTS
  • Includes 100+ Premium Features
  • Unlimited Calling, Faxing, SMS, Conferencing
  • Trusted by over 350,000 Businesses
As low as, per month/user

$0.00

14 day trial available to new subscribers

Free

$ 19.99 /mo. *

Business VoIP Made Easy
  • Done for You Setup
  • US-Based Support Team
  • Free Equipment Upgrade
per user for 10+ users, with 2 year agreement

$0.00

-

Free

$ 18.90 /mo. *

Alliance Phones
  • Simple set-up in less than 30 minutes
  • Efficient daily call report
  • Easy-to-use control panel
12% discount for subscribing and paying for a year upfront.

$0.00

30 days

Free

$ 19.97 /mo. *

The phone system built to do business anywhere
  • Video Meetings & Text Messaging
  • Call Forwarding & Routing
  • Desktop, Mobile, & Web Apps
$5 per additional user

$0.00

-

Free

$ 19.00 /mo. *

Get 99.99% network reliability with Fios.
  • Business Digital Voice
  • 1-year price guarantee
  • Unlimited data
Per month. Plus taxes, fees and equipment charges.

$0.00

-

Free

$ 69.00 /mo. *

*Rates shown do not include E-911 charges, taxes, and surcharges. Most providers offering unlimited calling have restrictions and some rates shown are promotional rates based on term contracts or promotional periods. Be sure to read individual providers terms and conditions before you buy. Rates and features displayed for each provider have been sourced from provider's site and other online sources. While we strive to display current information, be sure to check directly with each provider as their plans, pricing, and features are subject to change.
Image VoipPreview

Company Website

User Ratings & Reviews

Star Rating

Features
Price
Reliability
Support
Quality
Pricing & Services

Plans

Metered Plans

Customizable Plans

Month-to-Month

Contract Discounts

Trial Period

Local Numbers

Toll Free Numbers

Number Porting Fee

Activation Fee

Setup Fee

Faxing

BYOD

Available Features (some features are options available at extra cost)
3rd Party Integrations (some 3rd party integrations are available at extra cost)

Box

Dropbox

Google Drive

NetSuite

Outlook

SalesForce

SugarCRM

Support

Telephone Support

24/7 Call-In Support

Chat Support

Email Support

Video Tutorials

E-Guides

FAQ Section

Online Ticket Submission

Provider Info

Year Founded

Headquarters

Service Location

Service Type

Popular Plan

Cancellation Policy

Details

410.0

4.1
142 reviews

86%
83%
80%
79%
85%
Details

Yes

See plan details

14 day trial available to new subscribers

Yes

YesDetails

Free

Free

Free

Details

Yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

2003

San Mateo, CA

United States, Canada, UK, Singapore

Business, Call Center Service Provider, Call Center Software

Cancel anytime. Fees may apply.

500.0

5
13 reviews

95%
100%
100%
100%
100%

No

No

YesDetails

Details

No

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

-

Business

$17.58 /mo. x 12

500.0

5
13 reviews

99%
100%
100%
100%
100%
Details

Yes

See plan details

30 days

Yes

YesDetails

Free

Free

Free

Details

Yes

Details

yes

yes

yes

yes

no

yes

yes

yes

2009

Brisbane, CA

United States, Canada

Business, IP PBX, SIP, Virtual PBX

Cancel anytime. No fees. Pro-rated rates apply.

$17.58 /mo. x 12

500.0

5
1 review

100%
100%
100%
100%
100%

No

No

YesDetails

Free

Details

No

no

no

no

no

no

no

no

no

-

Business

$17.58 /mo. x 12

140.0

1.4
57 reviews

40%
40%
37%
30%
40%

Yes

Yes

YesDetails

Yes

no

no

no

no

no

no

no

no

1990

Business

*Rates shown do not include E-911 charges, taxes, and surcharges. Most providers offering unlimited calling have restrictions and some rates shown are promotional rates based on term contracts or promotional periods. Be sure to read individual providers terms and conditions before you buy. Rates and features displayed for each provider have been sourced from provider's site and other online sources. While we strive to display current information, be sure to check directly with each provider as their plans, pricing, and features are subject to change.
VoipReview Speed Test

Test your Internet speed with our innovative speed test!

 

Test Your Speed Now

Recent Reviews

BryteCall Logo
5
BryteCall

My Firm, the Spead Tax Group, PLLC, starting using BryteCall as our VOIP Provider during January of 2024, Jon Sharvit is their Accounts Executive...

February 1st, 2024 - speadtax
ViaTalk Logo
5
ViaTalk

I honestly can't understand all these bad reviews. I've had Viatalk for close to a year and I am very satisfied with the quality of the service. No...

January 27th, 2024 - skywarner

Most Recent Blog Posts

Call Screening: Everything You Need to Know
Call Screening: Everything You Need to Know

Call screening has been a boon in the world of telecommunication, significantly impacting how businesses and individuals manage their incoming calls. But what exactly is call screening, and why is it...

Sep 22, 2023
What is a Service Level Agreement (SLA)?

A Service Level Agreement (SLA) stands as a testament to a provider's commitment to maintain a certain standard of service for its customers. But what exactly does it entail? And why are SLAs so...

Aug 25, 2023