Using an IP phone number, better known as a voice-over Internet protocol (VoIP) number, is very similar to using a traditional phone number. This is despite the fact that VoIP technology is actually very different from traditional phone technology. In practice, you won’t have to do much differently. However, using a VoIP desk phone and using a VoIP app on your mobile phone are a little different.
Keep reading to learn more about how VoIP works.
How VoIP Works
Unlike traditional landlines (which use phone lines) or mobile phone service (which uses cell towers) VoIP uses the Internet to relay data. This means that you have to be connected to the Internet to use VoIP technology. However, the recipient of your call does not need to be using a VoIP service. You can place calls to traditional phone numbers and receive calls from traditional phone numbers using VoIP technology.
What This Means In Practice
In practice, this means that you don’t have to do anything differently as long as you are connected to the Internet. Most VoIP desk phones are designed to look and feel exactly like traditional landlines. Also, most VoIP apps are designed to operate in the exact same way as the standard phone app on your smartphone.
Using a VoIP Desk Phone
Many VoIP companies make VoIP desk phones. These desk phones are commonly found in call centers. However, they have also started to become popular for home offices. The benefit of a VoIP desk phone is that it can be plugged directly into an Ethernet cable for a steady connection. VoIP desk phones can also connect to WiFi. Once the phone has been connected to the Internet, you use it te same way that you would use a landline.
Using a VoIP App On Your Mobile Phone
Using a VoIP app on your mobile phone is quite easy. This is because most VoIP providers intentionally designed their apps to resemble standard phone apps. As with VoIP desk phones, this was done to ensure that there is little to no learning curve when using VoIP technology. The only difference is that you have to make sure that you have a good Internet connection when you are using your VoIP app. If you have a low-quality WiFi signal, your audio quality might not be optimal and the call might even disconnect.
