Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a relatively new technology for the
transmission of voice through the Internet.
VoIP is often used to refer to the actual transmission of voice (rather than
the protocol implementing it).
VoIP is also known as IP Telephony, Internet telephony, Broadband telephony,
Broadband Phone and Voice over Broadband. There are several companies making VoIP handsets and accessories,
including:
Belkin,
D-Link,
Kinamax,
Linksys,
Logitech, Zonet. Voice over IP protocols carry telephony signals as digital
audio, typically reduced in data rate using speech data compression techniques,
encapsulated in a data packet stream over IP. There are two types of PSTN to
VoIP services: Direct Inward Dialing (DID) and access numbers. DID will connect
the caller directly to the VoIP user while access numbers require the caller to
input the extension number of the VoIP user.
Other forms of communications accessories can be just as vital. The
invention of
conference calls, and the speaker phone have revolutionized business
communications. Today's speaker phones, manufactured by
Polycom provide incredible sensitivity and sound clarity, while delivery
true duplex. Another necessary office communication tools is the headset.
Headsets made by
Plantronics offer the clearest sounds and affordable prices.