VoIP phone adapters enable users to use their standard telephones with their VoIP services. VoIP is Voice over Internet Protocol. It is the technology of transmitting audio as data packets over the Internet to a receiving computer, VoIP enabled phone, or a standard telephone.

The standard telephone system is known as the PSTN or Public Switched Telephone Network. The very infrastructure of VoIP and PSTN are completely different networks. People have experienced VoIP technology by using a microphone and speakers connected to their computers, but thanks to phone adapters, users can put away the microphones and speak over VoIP with standard telephones.

A simple form of VoIP is used with many Instant Messaging programs. For free, a computer user can download an Instant Messaging program, connect their computer speakers and a microphone, and make a free long distance (or international) call to another pc user. Many Instant Messaging programs are incorporating VoIP services. You can use Yahoo Messenger, AOL, Skype, ICQ, MSN, and Google to make pc-to-pc free phone calls.

Another more advanced form of VoIP is to use a monthly service provider for the handling of all of your telephone needs. A VoIP provider will work much like your traditional telephone service yet you will not need to have your house wired or have phone jacks installed. With a phone adapter you will be able to transform your household phone into a phone that will work with your VoIP service. You can also connect a portable phone to the adapter and have a portable phone that operates on your VoIP service. Your service provider will provide you with the telephony adapter.

As VoIP products and services continue to evolve, we can expect more VoIP phones will hit the market. There are currently a few models on the market as well as VoWiFi phones- VoIP’s answer to cellular.

People prefer VoIP to standard PSTN networks. For many it is the cost savings that are making this the telephony method of choice. You can find unlimited local and long distance calling plans for as little as $20.00 a month. VoIP providers are creeping up everywhere. From major telephone companies like Verizon to Cellular giants such as Cingular everyone is eyeing VoIP.

VoIP offers tremendous benefits. For instance, many of the calling features that are available on a pay basis with standard telephone networks are typically included free of charge with VoIP service providers. These features include but are not limited to: Voice Mail, Caller Id, Call Waiting, Call Forwarding, and *69.

Residential customers are pleased with the freedom that the phone adapter offers them. Though many would still use VoIP if they were confined to a microphone and speakers, the ability to speak freely on your telephone or cordless handset has even greater appeal for those who are considering VoIP services.

Businesses are also taking advantage of the amazing saving opportunities that come with VoIP. Small businesses like the ability to integrate features such as voice, fax, and web-based applications that are provided with VoIP. VoIP has great audio quality and offers employers and employees flexibility. Many businesses have noticed a significant increase in productivity and employer/employee relations since switching to VoIP.

Phone adapters give mobile employees the ability to take their phone number with them, anywhere they have a High Speed Internet connection. This has revolutionized the concept of customer service, and brought an increase of services provided by those in sales and other occupations where travel is a frequent requirement. Now, if a worker is away from the desk, traveling, or about mobile business, there needs to be no hesitant for customers or clients to stay connected. There is no need to transfer calls through secretaries stationed at desks. Thanks to VoIP, employees can receive their important business calls unhindered.

Call centers have also adopted VoIP as their method of communications. VoIP integrates so many features that are vital to the success of a prosperous business that it is any wonder that not every company has made the switch to VoIP.

Though the future will unveil many other new products and features, phone adapters continue to bridge the distance between PSTN and VoIP. The ability to bring your phone number with you has positively revolutionized the way people communicate.

Wireless and VoIP have joined forces. Installing a WLAN network card into your computer uses wireless technology. After installing the card, your computer will become ‘wireless’. This means that you will be able to enjoy an Internet connection without the use of cables and cords.

VoIP is the technology that allows the transmission of audio files by transmitting them into data packets across the Internet. By integrating Wireless and VoIP a new generation of audio telecommunications has been birthed. By having a VoIP service and a wireless connection, you can enjoy the best of both worlds- wireless VoIP connections.

Wireless networks are activated by what is known as a ‘hotspot’. A hotspot is an area where there is an access point. Wireless connections are basically created by radio signals. An access point is where the network has established their main signal. It is possible for wireless users to basically ‘jump’ from hotspot to hotspot and utilize various networks access points.

The combination of Wireless and VoIP has led to another invention-VoWiFi. VoWiFi stands for Voice over Wireless Fidelity. VoWiFi has also produced the new VoWiFi phones. These phones operate like cell phones, only they use VoIP technology, (transmit over the Internet) and are wireless, operating in various hotspots.

VoWiFi phones are very inexpensive to use, as is all of VoIP technology. It is much cheaper to submit audio as data packets over the Internet and it uses considerably less bandwidth. This is a reason why VoIP technology is gaining in strength and momentum.

Many people are choosing the freedom that is offered by VoIP. VoIP can offer nearly free or free long distance phone calls. Since VoWi Fi operates from hotspot to hotspot or network-to-network, you may think that there are roaming charges involved. Well, this is not the cellular network that you love/hate. There are no roaming charges involved with VoIP. That’s right, you can take your VoWiFi phone from hotspot to hotspot, maintaining your connection (provided you easily go from hotspot to hotspot) absolutely free.

You may be wondering why not just use cellular? Why go wireless? Well, for those who travel a lot or are consistently out of their cellular range, roaming charges will apply and can be expensive. By using your VoWiFi in hotspots while you are traveling, you can pick up a connection and make your calls for free.

Be careful not to confuse a VoWiFi phone with a cordless VoIP phone. They are two distinctively different products. A VoWiFi phone will enable you to access hotspots, but a cordless VoIP phone is simply a way to have a cordless phone in your house that is compatible with your VoIP service provider.

VoWiFi phones are hitting the market and companies such as Vonage are soon to debut their new VoWiFi phones.

An interesting trend is the creation of the hybrid phone. If someone is a traveling salesman, or just simply travels frequently and is on their cell phone, then leave their network range- they can take advantage of the new hybrid phone. The hybrid phone, which is part cellular, part VoWiFi, will be able to access hotspots, and pick up a signal. Voila- no more roaming charges!

Wireless VoIP does show promising signs towards the future and many look anxiously awaiting new products and increasing performance by these products. You will have to have a VoIP service provider before you can access VoWiFi. However, you can still find many free hotspots that will give your phone a connection.

Both Wireless and VoIP are relatively new technologies that have a lot of kinks that need to be worked out. The products are hitting the market at increasing speed, while rules, regulations, and security issues seem to be taking second place. That is the nature of telecommunications technology though, and we can expect that the face of Wireless VoIP will look very different in the next few years. Major corporations are already embracing this technology, creating services, phones, hybrid phones and plans that center on VoIP while the FCC races to determine where in fact VoIP technology’s classifications lay.

There have been significant issues regarding wireless VoIP and security and 911 services. Well the good news is, that while these issues are battled out, agreed upon, and rewritten, we can still take our phones and lily pad our way from hotspot to hotspot- free of roaming charges.

VoIP is the acronym for Voice Over Internet Protocol. VoIP is gaining momentum as a valid alternative to standard telephone service. It has many benefits, ranging from the fact that it is a cost effective way to handle your telecommunications needs to all of the features that are usually bundled with your service at no additional cost.

Not only are residential customers turning to VoIP for their telephone needs, but many businesses are opting for VoIP for their preference of choice as well. Residential consumers appreciate the fact that they can save money on their long distance bills and reduce the amount of tax paid, and businesses love the advantage they have by using integrated VoIP software applications. The cost of setting up a small business or call center with VoIP is tremendously cost effective when compared to wiring and installing a landline system.

VoIP provides users with more flexibility and freedom. To use VoIP you will need a high Speed Internet connection, a computer, speakers or microphones, or a VoIP enabled phone.

For residential users, many people prefer to use the VoIP phone adapter. This will enable them to use their standard telephones with their VoIP service. You can even connect cordless phones to your VoIP phone adapter.

Depending on the nature of a business, selection of a business VoIP phone will vary. For some applications, a desktop convergence phone will be required. Possibly a multi lined phone may be needed for VoIP business transactions. Or simply, agents will use headsets and microphones attached to their computers. Options are plentiful and every day, programmers are creating new services, products, and phones.

Wi Fi is the acronym used for Wireless Fidelity. Wireless Fidelity is the technology used to create wireless networks. Equipment and devices such as laptops and PDAs are examples of devices that can operate on wireless networks. A wireless network operates on radio signals. Access points are maintained and when your wireless device comes in range of the access point, your connection will be made and you will be able to log on to the Internet. Wireless Fidelity has met VoIP and the result is VoWiFi. This, as you can imagine, stands for Voice over Wireless Fidelity and is another way of saying wireless VoIP phones. Just as VoIP has proven to be a competitive force for the telephone companies, VoWiFi appears that it will give cellular service a run for its money in upcoming years.

Right now, there are many critical issues that beset VoWiFi, yet that hasn’t stopped die-hard tech users from experiencing and enjoying this new technology. There are a limited amount of VoWiFi phones available on the market, but if you are determined to try this service, you will be able to find one.

A VoWiFi phone will operate as long as you first have VoIP services enabled. Then simply take your phone into one of the ‘access points’ otherwise known as ‘hotspots’ and watch your VoWiFi phone make a connection and allow you to make unlimited free long distance calls, all while going mobile.

Along with the innovation of VoWiFi phones, there are some other phones on the market and still in development phase that incorporate both VoWiFi and Cellular service. Cellular service is known to charge ‘roaming charges’ when you leave the network’s range. By using a Hybrid- half cellular; half VoWiFi, you can take advantage of ‘hotspots’ instead of incurring roaming charges. Hybrid users say that they have found this to be incredibly beneficial and cost effective.

Currently in production are Hybrid and VoWiFi phones from makers such as Vonage, Verizon, and Cingular. Currently Cingular does offer a WiFi plan and phone. These phones are currently in market use in Japan and are expected to really hit American consumers during the years 2006-2007. Another factor concerning the development of WiFi phones is the need for more available hotspots. It is believed that when VoWiFi bursts on the American market scene, Fortune 500 companies and other big businesses will first utilize it.

Though it is still relatively early to run to your nearest cellular phone store and request VoWiFi, if you are technologically inclined and determined, you can make it happen. As for the rest of us, time will tell when we will be able to access VoWiFi and all of its associated products in all of their glory.

SoftPhone is the abbreviated term “Software Phone” commonly used to refer to the software used to make phone calls from one computer to another computer (or landline and cell phones) using Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) Technology. Because SoftPhones are software they do not have the look and feel of traditional telephones, in fact, they tend to look more like cell phones, but because they are software driven they usually have a whole lot more features built into them than is possible to get with traditional phones.

Most basic specification SoftPhones are commonly shipped with many features such as;

• Repeat dial
• Three way calling
• Call waiting
• Caller I.D.
• Call forwarding
• Last call return

Amongst the higher end spec SoftPhones you will find additional features such as;

• Video calling
• mp3 player
• Contact management
• eMail
• Instant Mesaging
• Voice & Video Call Recording
• Conference calling

SoftPhones are typically provided free when connecting to a VoIP service; service provider usually allow members of their network to communicate with each other throught the network without charge, but are charged reduced fees for communicating with members of other networks.

For the technically minded free Softphone are available to download from many websites but will require some knowledge to configure and use the software.