How does VoIP work?

An analogue modem converts digital signals from computers into an analogue (voice) call. You'll probably recognise the typical fax machine noise that you hear if you call a fax number with a telephone. We then use a telephone line to send this data to the recipient. The recipient then uses another modem to decode the analogue noise back into computer data. A VoIP call works in the opposite direction. An analogue sound (your voice) is converted by a VoIP enabled phone or VoIP adapter into a digital signal. We then use the special SIP protocol and VoIP data packets to transmit to your voice to the recipient. If the recipient also uses a VoIP phone then the opposite occurs at the other end. The data packets are converted back to an analogue voice sound. If the call is to a mobile phone or a normal landline then the we, the service provider, convert the signal back to a standard PSTN call and introduce your phone call back into the normal telephone exchange system. A caller at either end will not be aware of VoIP but it unlocks the door to massive cost savings and features that are almost impossible on non-VoIP standard PSTN phone systems.

When you call another VoIP telephone line, the VoIP adapter or VoIP phone logs into the service provider system which identifies the destination and sets up the call. The VoIP traffic then passes from caller to recipient via the internet without touching hte standard PSTN network.

When you call a normal non-VoIP PSTN landline line the VoIP adapter logs in to the service provider system as with a VoIP to VoIP call. However, this time, the system identifies that the destination is a PSTN number and then uses a gateway onto the PSTN network to route the call as if it were a standard telephone call. The traffic uses your internet connection and then the service provider makes the link into the PSTN network on your behalf.

So, why should you use VoIP instead of a normal PSTN system?

1: Your business telephony costs will be reduced. Any calls to other VoIP phones are free and calls to standard PSTN lines are very competetively priced.

2: You'll get a feature packed PBX system for your business for a very small monthly fee. With every VoIP number you register, you'll have the use of ten extension numbers on your virtual PBX system. You'll get all the features you'd expect from a PBX system such as voice menus, extensions for specific people, hunt groups, call forwarding, etc. This is easily managed and detailed all normal call statistics and billing information is available from the PBX system.

3: Do you have associates or employees in other areas of the UK or even abroad? Well, you can give them all VoIP extensions within the same VoIP telephone number, or give them their own VoIP numbers with the same STD code (PSTN area code) as your head office. Nobody will be able to tell that you have a vritual office!

Who is this VoIP service aimed at?

Well, our services are aimed at small businesses with several employees. Companies with remote offices and/or teleworkers are likely to benefit most from this system. Our VoIP PBX service has been very carefully designed to slot into small businesses and provide huge benefits and cost savings all within a very professional package.

Whether you choose to have one external phone number, or several, incoming calls can all be mapped to the same voice menu system. The menu system then allows callers to choose menu options and be directed immediately to your internal VoIP extensions, or even redirected out to mobile phones and standard external landlines. Don't forget, your VoIP extensions can be based anywhere in the world and all internal calls to these extensions are free of charge! Hunt groups allow an incoming call to ring on any, some or all of your VoIP extensions simultaneously. Unanswered calls can be configured to go to an answerphone service or be forwarded to another telephone number. The voicemail system can alert you by text to your mobile phone and you can have your voicemail messages emailed to you or access them online from anywhere via a secure login system.

What you will need:

1. You'll need a VoIP enabled telephone. This could be a standard telephone with the addition of a VoIP adapter, a full blown dedicated VoIP telephone or a softphone which consists of a computer program that emulates a telephone and you then use a headphone and mic set to communicate via your PC. One good solution is the Linksys PAP2T adaptor, which allows you to connect one or two handsets, and has the also allows you to connect other analogue devices such as fax machines. A few other nice features of this unit are call waiting, caller ID, and call back if busy.

2. An internet connection. leased lines, ADSL or cable broadband connections are ideal. Dial-up with 56k modems, satellite internet connections or ISDN connections are not so good. As a general rule of thumb, a standard 256Kb ADSL connection will provide enough resources for 2-3 simultaneous calls. The higher your bandwidth, the more calls you can accomodate.

3. An account with a VoIP service provider: Your Computer Department provides this facility. This account will provide you with a VoIP external number which is the number other people will use to call you on.

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