So what means what? I-VoIP's Glossary of Terms:

The first thing you should know about this new service is what means what. It can sometimes get confusing with all these new terms popping up all the time. So here is a breif guide:

VoIP - Voice over Internet Protocol, This is the name of the technology that, amongst other things, enables you to make free internet calls.

SIP - Session Internet Protocol - The future of VoIP. SIP is a type of VoIP that lets you make VoIP calls with or without a computer. Special SIP Phones and Routers connect directly to the internet themselves making VoIP integration into a home or office totally seemless .

Skype - This is a leading VoIP service provider.

USB Phone - This is a phone that plugs into a USB port in your computer. They come in several forms and provide the most convenient way to make VoIP calls.

Soft Phone - This is the phone software that sits on your computer and enables you to make VoIP calls.

Service Providers - These are the companies that give you the ability and software to make VoIP calls. They come in two main forms SIP and Peer to Peer. Peer to Peer providers like Skype and Google Talk use your computer and softphone software to make your calls. SIP providers like Vonage and Babble dont necessarily need a computer and so offer the better bet for businesses and heavy VoIP users

IS VoIP The Right Choice for Me?

If you like to talk, but would prefer not to be charged for it then the answer to this is almost certainly yes!

VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) technology makes use of the power of broadband to translate analog voice signals into digital information that can be transmitted through the internet. The practical upshot of this is that you can talk to other people, no matter where they are, using the broadband internet connection that you have already paid for.

There are 3 main benefits of making phonecalls this way:

1. It is always free to call other VoIP users who also use your service provider.

2. It is frequently free to call telephones that do not use VoIP. When it isnt free it is very, very, very cheap.

3. You can be called on your VoIP phone by people who dont use VoIP. The numbers are normal numbers and cost for anyone who calls you are exactly the same as if they were calling your landline.

As you I am sure you have picked up by now VoIP is not simply restricted to calling other people that also use VoIP technology. With services such as Skypein and Skypeout you can call and be called by any landline phones in any countries you desire. These calls do attract costs but these are very competitive when compared with the rates charged by other major landline and mobile phone service providers.

(To give you an idea of costs; calling a United States landline from your Voip phone in London you will be charged by the service provider 'Skype' at £0.01 per minute! don't beleive us? Then why not visit the Skype website and see the rates for youself, click here for a direct link to the rates page.)

As if all this wasnt enough, other service providers will give you free calls to most numbers in exchange for a small monthly fee!

Anyway don't just take our word for it why not see for yourself how much of your hard earned cash you could save, click here and see the price differences between a VoIP service and a standard landline.

Ok, so what do I need to have already to get started with VoIP?

The main thing you need to begin using VoIP is a broadband internet connection. If you have one, then all that remains is to decide how you want to call. If you dont have a broadband internet connection or you are unhappy with the service that you are getting or the price that you are paying the once again we can help. Click here to access our impartial list of recommended Broadband Service Providers

If you have a Broadband connection you are pretty much ready to go! All that remains is to decide how you want to call. Do you want to use your computer and a USB Phone or headset or would you rather go for a more proficient and professional SIP solution.

Both approaches are equally simple but we would recommend the SIP approach for regular or business users or those who wish to use VoIP as a complete telephony replacement.

1/. Getting started using a computer and USB Phone:

You will need the following:

1. A Service Provider, those handy guys who do all the hard work. Choose one from our list and download their software.

2 .A VoIP Phone or headset. You can find one of these on our website. If you fancy using a heaset then you have the choice of using cordless bluetooth versions or USB or Mini Jack headstes. Our range of USB Phones includes cordless, corded and deskmouted versions. Easy Peasy.

3. A P.C. or Mac.

(i) Choose your VoIP service provider:

As with mobile phones and landlines, there are many different VoIP service providers competing for your business. Use our handy guide to select the right company for you, access the link and download their software.

You may wish at this point to purchase extra facilities from your chosen provider. These can include the facilities to both make and receive calls using VoIP. Tthese 'extra facilities' can be purchased immediately to save at a later date once you have been familiarised with the functionality of the particular VoIP service that you have selected.

(ii) Choose your Phone or Headset:

As you will see from our product range, your choice is not restricted to phones. There are also headsets, microphones and earpieces.
If you don’t want to be tied to your desk then earpieces or cordless phones may be the choice for you. If space is not an issue then a desk mounted phone offers familiar convenience. We can even offer the ability to connect an entire office to a common VoIP account using a base station and additional phones. See our catalogue for more details.

(iii) Start Talking! :

It really is as simple as that. Once your hardware has arrived you find another VoIP user and give them a call. Or, if you have enabled the appropriate functions with your service provider, you can give anybody a call. If none of your friends or business contacts use VoIP, persuade them to give it a try, after all it’s free!

2/. Getting started using SIP:

You will need the following:

1. A SIP Service Provider, those handy guys who do all the hard work. Choose one from our list and download their software or simply setup an account and proceed to step 2 below.

2 . An ADSL Router. This can be any brand shape or form but why not try one of our Fritzbox VoIP routers?

3. An IP, WIFI Phone or Anlaog Telephone Adapter (ATA) which connect to your router. Or, if you are using a special VoIP Router, as many normal landline or DECT phones as you need.

(i) Choose your SIP service provider:

As with mobile phones and landlines, there are many different SIP service providers competing for your business. Use our handy guide to select the right company for you, access the link and download their software.

You may wish at this point to purchase extra facilities from your chosen provider. These can include the facilities to both make and receive calls using VoIP. Tthese 'extra facilities' can be purchased immediately to save at a later date once you have been familiarised with the functionality of the particular SIP service that you have selected.

Once you have signed up with your chosen SIP service provider make a note of the account details they provide as you will need these details to configure the hardware you want to use.

(ii) Choose your SIP Hardware:

1.A VoIP Router will let you use your existing Phones to make SIP calls. Normal phones plug into the router which is configured with your account information.

2 . An IP Phone: These phones plug into your router or network. Once again they are configured with your account information to let you make SIP calls.

3.A WIFI Phone: If you have a Wireless router then you can configure one of these phones with your account information and use it to make wireless SIP calls.

(iii) Start Talking! :

4. Disclaimer:

The views expressed in this setup guide constitute an accurate and fair representation of the views and experiences of the I-VoIP team. They should be understood as opinion and I-VoIP cannot be held responsible for any use or misuse of these opinions. In each and every case customers should make up their own mind as to which phones, providers and services are right for them. I-VoIP reserves an absolute right to change and alter these opinions as the facts change and as new information comes to light.