VoIP is Packet Switching. Packet Switching consists of data packets, or packets of information being carried across the Internet, from your computer to either another computer or PSTN telephone. VoIP operates in different forms. For instance, you can use VoIP when you use an Instant Messaging program with voice on your computer. These are very popular and now Yahoo, AOL, MSN, ICQ, and even Google have VoIP Instant Messaging programs.

The benefits of these programs are that they are free to download off of the Internet, and by using a microphone and your speakers; you can talk over the Internet with any of your buddies. As long as your friends and family members download the same program, you will be able to talk with them as long as you like, and absolutely free. You can talk to anyone, anywhere in the world with VoIP Instant Messengers.

Another method of VoIP technology is to use a VoIP service provider for your basic telephony needs. A very familiar company is Vonage. For a monthly fee, you will receive VoIP services, the same as you pay for your regular telephone services. You can choose to use your VoIP service over the Internet, or you can choose to connect your VoIP to your standard telephone.

By connecting a VoIP phone adapter to your modem and standard phone, you will be able to use your VoIP service and your telephone as you would with any other telephone service provider. Many people prefer to use a VoIP service provider because the cost of local and long distance calling with VoIP is very inexpensive. Many providers offer unlimited calling plans.

There are other features that are often bundled with your service plan. Features such as Voicemail, Caller ID, Call Waiting, Call Transfer, and 3 Way Calling are often included for free in your selected VoIP plan. By choosing your VoIP service provide and installing a phone adapter, you will be on your way to making low cost VoIP calls in minutes.

You can also purchase a specialized VoIP phone. These phones come in both cordless and corded styles. The cordless VoIP phones work the same as standard cordless phones. Many of these phones also come with conferencing features and are suitable for small or home business needs.

Another form of VoIP telephones are the VoWiFi phones. These are wireless VoIP phones. This is the same technology as VoIP, only you are not limited to a plugged in connection. You can use your VoWiFi phone wherever there is a wireless High Speed Internet Connection. These phones are more expensive then mobile phones, and haven’t had all of the kinks worked out yet. However, they are still a cost effective choice for those who would like to save a little money.

VoIP has proved to be a viable source of telecommunications. Many companies are now offering VoIP services and those who aren’t have plans to do so. Companies such as Verizon and Sprint offer VoIP services. Other companies are working on creating VoIP phones and VoWiFi phones.

There are Hybrid phones on the market, which allow for both VoWiFi and Cellular calling. These phones have many people excited. They can work in a network range as a cellular phone, and then, they can work as a VoWiFi phone, avoiding all roaming charges.

The FCC has issued some regulations regarding VoIP and the ability to call 911. Because VoIP uses the Internet and not a landline phone, when a call is made to 911 from a VoIP connection, the operator who receives the call receives none of the caller’s pertinent information. This includes address or location of the call. Some service providers do not supply 911 at all; others have what is known as Enhanced 911 services.

To use these services you may need to activate your service, as well as register your information with 911. However, you will need to sign a statement when you apply for your VoIP services stating that you understand your 911 capabilities may be limited.

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 began on the Internet and Pc-to-Pc messaging is still a great way to experience VoIP. There are many different instant-messaging programs that are available for free and will allow you to speak with another user, anywhere world wide, absolutely free and for an unlimited amount of time.

You will need a high speed Internet connection, up to date computer, mouse, speakers, and a microphone to fully experience VoIP Pc to Pc calls. Your receiver will also need these things and will need to install the same program that you have already installed.

Here is a list of major Instant Messaging Programs that allow free Pc-to-Pc VoIP calls.

Yahoo Messenger

Skype

ICQ

MSN

Wavigo

Babble

I Connect Here

Glo Phone

3 W Tel

Buddy Talk

Pc-Telephone

Rhino Bell

Terra Call

V Buzzer

Microsoft Net Meeting

When VoIP services first sprang up over the Internet, many of the programs allowed for free PC to Phone calls. Now, there are virtually none of these programs available for free. If you would like to talk with your friends and family, via free Pc-to-Pc calls, you should download one of the above messengers.

Many of these will allow for Pc-to-Phone calls, however it will cost you a small monthly fee. If you would like to stay with the free long-distance services, just have your friends and family members download the Internet program of your choice, and you will be able to continue to make free Pc-to-Pc calls.

If you become tired of Pc-to-Pc calling, you can easily upgrade to one of the VoIP service providers. Not all of the providers mentioned above do provide pc-to-phone services however. You will need to research and compare the programs to determine the one that best meets your needs.

Of the programs mentioned above, they all have different features and settings. For instance, some may allow you to receive Voice Mail-others may not.

Most computers come with Net Meeting pre installed. Net meeting will allow users to conduct Pc-to-Pc calls, absolutely free.

Pc-to-Pc calls are helping people become familiar with VoIP. Though some may continue to use their Pc-to-Pc messengers, others may want to make the next step to a VoIP service provider. VoIP service providers offer many benefits. Some of the Pc-to-Pc service providers offer features such as conferencing, video conferencing with digital camera and web camera, Voice Mail to Email services.

Many people are opting for VoIP services these days, due to the fact that there are many benefits with VoIP that are free as opposed to paying for the same services with PSTN telephone networks.

Pc-to-Pc calling is an excellent way to communicate with friends free of charge. The ability to call anywhere in the world and to speak as long as you like is a rarity and a wonderful privilege that has been reserved for this generation. As people continue to look ahead to see what new technology will be on the market, we can rest assured that free pc to phone services are most likely not going to come back. Until then, users can enjoy the unlimited services of Pc-to-Pc calls.

Thanks to VoIP, technology is continually advancing and great new products are continually being unveiled. Skype is about to release their new VoWiFi phone, and people are eagerly awaiting this new technology. Though VoIP service providers continue to charge, and it doesn’t look like Pc-to-Phone service is going to miraculously become free tomorrow, it seems most likely that Pc-to-Pc calls will remain free. Millions of people are signing up for, and using VoIP services. Products are being created and designed daily. Truly, VoIP is the Voice of the Future.