Voice over Internet Protocol, VoIP or Broadband phone service as it is often referred to, is changing the telephony world. Traditional phone lines are slowly being phased out as businesses and households around the world embrace the benefits and features that VoIP technology has to offer.

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is simply the transmission of voice traffic over IP-based networks. The Internet Protocol (IP) was originally designed for data networking. The success of IP in becoming a world standard for data networking has led to its adaption to voice networking.

VoIP has lots of advantages over a regular phone service. So, let's take a look:

1.     Huge Savings. If you have a broadband Internet connection (DSL or cable), you can make PC-to-PC phone calls anywhere in the world for free. If you wish to make a PC-to-phone connection, there's usually a charge for this but normally much cheaper than your regular phone service. Also your bill is easier to understand and it can be viewed via the Internet.

2.     You can pay as you go or you can sign up with a VOIP service provider and pay a monthly fee in return for unlimited calls within a certain geographic area. For example, some VOIP services in the United States allow you to call anywhere in North America at no extra charge. Overseas calls are charged at a relatively small rate.

3.     A virtual number enables you to make calls from anywhere as long as a broadband connection is available.  This makes VOIP as convenient as e-mail.

4.     You may access your VOIP account just like your email Id from anywhere in the world as long as you have an internet phone. This makes it easy for those who travel frequently to make calls frequently to those back at home at local call rates, no matter where they are.

5.     You may purchase a number in a geographic area of your choice, which works out very cheap. If your relatives and friends live in Virginia and you moved to California, you may purchase a Virginia number and make local calls to your loved ones.

6.     You may call or message or do both at the same time with VOIP services. You can also send data such as pictures and documents at the same time you are talking on the phone.

VOIP comes with a host of advanced communication features. For example, call forwarding, call waiting, voicemail, caller ID and three-way calling are some of the many services included with VOIP telephone service at no extra charge.