What are VoIP and Internet Calls?
VoIP, otherwise known as Voice over Internet Protocol, is the transmission of voices, sounds, and multimedia content over internet protocol networks. It is a group of technologies and methodologies used for the delivery of multimedia sessions and voice communications over internet protocol networks. According to the latest report from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), there are over 522,000 VoIP subscriptions in Maine as of June 2021.
VoIP and internet call largely mean the same thing. Both terms are interchangeable which refer to a method of making calls or using telephony services over the internet instead of the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) technology utilized by traditional telephony systems.
How Do VoIP and Internet Calls Compare with Landlines and Cell Phones?
Landlines work on the principle of the public switched telephone network. When you dial a number to make a call via a landline, your phone converts sound waves into electrical signals which are transmitted to the terminal over a cable. The terminal then sends the signals to the Central Office. The Central Office which may also be called a local exchange or a switching exchange consists of one or more exchanges and may have as many as several thousands of lines. A central office connects its subscribers to a PSTN line. All landline phones within an area connect to a Central Office located in the area. When a local call is made, the call is sent to the local exchange and is then routed to the supplier. If it is a local call, the call does not leave the local exchange. At the receiver's end, the landline phone converts the electrical signals back into sound waves that may be understood by the receiver.
Cell phones are not bound by physical wires as it is with landline or PSTN technology. A cell phone consists of a transmitter and a radio receiver. When you speak into the radio receiver of the cell phone during a call, your phone converts your voice into radio waves which travel through the air until they reach the nearest cell mast. The radio waves are transmitted as electrical signals through a network of base stations. Each base station has a cabinet and antennas to send and receive your communication. Base stations relay signals through cables, or a microwave connection, to a core switching center, from where it is routed to its destination using the same technology. At the destination cell phone, the phone's receiver converts the radio waves into an electrical signal and back to sound which can be heard by the receiver.
VoIP communications work on the principle of packet switching by converting analog voice signals to digital signals which are sent as data packets over IP networks, usually broadband internet connections. This method of delivering telephony communications is a lot cheaper than traditional phone lines. The use of codecs is what makes VoIP run seamlessly. Codecs are computer algorithms used to convert voice signals into digital signals for transmission over the internet.
VoIP offers the following benefits over landlines and cell phones:
- Better Quality Calls: Due to VoIP using packet switching technology, unlike PSTN, there is less interference, and the clarity of audio is impressive. Provided users have a fast internet connection, audio quality is always better on VoIP calls
- Low Cost: Once a VoIP system has been set up and installed, calls between two or more VoIP set-ups are free. You may incur a cost for calls made from a VoIP-enable phone to a landline, but those are normally much lower than between two landlines. Also, there is no separate line rental; VoIP systems link to an existing internet connection as part of your VoIP contract.
- Better Scalability: The only limit to VoIP scalability is the bandwidth available when it comes to the length and frequency of calls. You can add far more phones to the system to connect an entire business and its employees easily than it is possible with traditional telephony systems.
- Increased Accessibility: One huge benefit to installing VoIP for voice calls is its accessibility. Users are no longer restricted geographically to where there is an existing phone signal. Location and distance make no difference to performance or cost, so long as both ends of the voice call have and are using an internet connection for the VoIP connection.
- Added features: Most alternative and traditional telephony business models are built on upselling extra functionality to customers who want better experience with their voice calls. On the other hand, VoIP offers a whole raft of extra features like video conferencing, call forwarding, caller-ID services, call waiting, and three-way calling in with the standard rate and call provision.
It is also possible to use reverse phone lookup to identify subscribers registered to VoIP numbers.
Does Maine Regulate VoIP Providers?
No. VoIP is not regulated as a telecommunications service under Maine statutes.
What Do You Need for VoIP and Internet Calls?
The essential things you will need are a fast internet connection, and an analog telephone adapter, a soft client, or an IP phone. 4G and 5G connections typically provide high-speed access for mobile network users while Fiber to the Premises (FTTP) and Ethernet connections support optimal VoIP telephony experience on wired mediums.
- ATA: ATA, an acronym for analog telephone adapters enable landline phones to make VoIP calls. One end of the ATA connects to your landline phone and the other end connects to your cable modem. The ATA converts the voice signal into digital data, which is sent over the internet to its destination. You may need to set up the software included with the ATA before making a VoIP call.
- Soft Client: Soft clients include VoIP applications or software, such as Skype or Google Talk, which leverage web-based platforms as opposed to actual hardware (apart from the hosting device). The technical term used for these kinds of devices is a "softphone", because, in simple terms, it is the compounding of software into the function of a phone. Soft clients are not limited to desktops or laptops. They can be used on VoIP ready devices such as tablets and smartphones. Soft clients leverage existing features of the host platform, such as cameras, built-in microphones, and speakers to make internet calls.
- IP phone: You can make VoIP calls from IP phones, which use RJ-56 Ethernet connectors to plug into the web. IP phones connect directly to your modem or router. Newer models may be able to connect wirelessly. IP phones resemble traditional phones, with 12-digit keypads, handset, and cradle.
Are VoIP Numbers Different from Regular Phone Numbers?
Although sometimes referred to as virtual numbers, VoIP numbers are ten-digit numbers just like regular phone numbers. However, there are some differences between the two:
- Regular phone numbers are allocated to fixed devices, such as SIM cards or phone lines, VoIP numbers are allocated to individual users
- VoIP numbers can be used on multiple devices simultaneously while regular phone numbers are fixed and may only be used by a singular user on one device.
- Regular phone numbers can only be used within the scope of the service provider's network coverage, while VoIP numbers can be used anywhere if a fast internet connection is available.
Can You Make Free Internet Calls?
Yes, you can make free internet calls provided you have access to a high-speed internet connection and are using a VoIP telephony application that makes free phone calls. You can make free internet calls in any of the following ways:
- PC to PC - You can make free internet calls between two computers by installing compatible VoIP software on the computers.
- App to App: You can make free internet calls between two smartphones or tablets that have the same application installed. Note that you cannot make calls to regular phone numbers with this method.
- PC to Phone: Through this method, you can make free internet calls from your PC to regular phone numbers.
- App to Phone: Through this method, you can make free internet calls from smartphones or tablets to regular phone numbers. You can also call landlines and mobile phones that do not have the VoIP application installed.