VoIP Guide and Tips

Your VoIP Guide for Home and Business


VoIP Headset Know How?

Many people use headsets when talking to their friends and family using VOIP. VOIP stands for voice over internet protocol and it is a very inexpensive and a popular way to make phone calls from your computer or land line phone over a broadband internet connection. If you are using your computer to make phone calls, then you should definitively check out headsets for VOIP.

Benefits Of Using A Headset For VOIP

Headsets for VOIP computer calling makes it easier when on the road or at home to make free or very affordable phone calls. Headsets main benefit is that they set your hands free, enabling you to be more productive. And using a headset for VOIP is very easy.

Most headsets are extremely comfortable and either fit over the head, behind the neck or is ear buds that gently fit in your ears. The difference between a cell phone headset and headset for VOIP is that a VOIP headset has a microphone RCA connector and an earphone RCA connector which is made specifically for a computers sound card. A quality headset system can dramatically improve the quality of your VOIP calls and will as well considerably reduce shoulder, back and neck strain.

Costs Of VOIP Headsets

Headsets for VOIP are extremely affordable and usually start at about $10. There are several models that are wireless if you don't like to be connected by a cord, which makes it easier for you to walk around your room or office. Keep in mind that wireless headsets are generally more expensive than headsets connected by a cord.

Where To Buy VOIP Headsets

You can buy headsets for VOIP at all computer stores, office supply shops and online at VOIP provider shops. Ebay is also a great way to grab inexpensive headsets. Just be sure that the shipping costs are not going to cost you more than the headset! GN Netcom, Headsets.com, Jabra, Plantronics, Sennheiser and Sony are the main manufacturers of headsets and they all provide quality equipment.

What If You Do Not Want A Headset?

Headsets for VOIP are just one way to talk over VOIP. Other ways are to use a land line phone plugged into an adapter or a USB phone that plugs directly into your computer's USB port.

However, headsets for VOIP are usually the cheapest option and are the easiest to install. So if you are looking to talk over VOIP, check out headsets for VOIP, you will not regret it!


VoIP vs. PSTN - Pros and Cons?

A seamless communication environment, where the limitations of time & distance would be eliminated is surely the ultimate objective behind newer inventions in the communication arena. VoIP technology holds great promise as it keeps evolving itself by providing newer applications.

But has VoIP truly arrived and is it completely ready to replace PSTN? That’s the big question. To know the answer we have to peep a little deeper into the technological aspects of them and try to know their real worth.

PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network): It’s the existing system based on circuit switching, the silent features

Advantages:
1) Well established technology
2) Easy maintenance
3) Hassle free set-up process
4) Simplicity in usage procedures

Disadvantages:
1) Dedicated line required to complete a call
2) Limited scalability
3) Optimum usage of bandwidth not possible
4) Monthly fees applicable for maintenance
5) Higher call charges

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol): The latest technology on the block, it employs the packet switching method of data transmission leading to an increase in the effective rate of transmission.

Advantages:
1) Concurrent transmission of data, voice & video possible
2) Scalability
3) As the data is sent over the network in compressed format, proper utilization of bandwidth is rendered possible
4) The World Wide Web, which is in the public domain, is used as the backbone of the network, that’s why hardware requirements are a bare minimum.
5) The enhanced efficiency which becomes evident due to the proper utilization of bandwidth leads to massive reduction in the costs incurred per call. Thereby making VoIP a very cheap, yet effective communication tool.
6) Value added services are offered free of cost.
Disadvantages:
1) The quality of sound at times become unpredictable
2) Echo

VoIP is a near perfect technology as the disadvantages associated with it, are to a great extent in the domain of the VoIP service provider, so by choosing a reliable service provider you can hope to eliminate the disadvantages.

Coming back to the big question about choosing in between VoIP & PSTN, as of now it would be advisable to use a hybrid system with VoIP being in the core of the system & PSTN in the periphery. This arrangement would ensure that you get most of both the technologies and would not be dependent on one.

Although the near future would see VoIP completely overtaking the existing system, so by switching over to VoIP now on one hand you will witness massive savings and on the other hand get to have a feel of the technology of the future!!


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