VoIP is a popular buzzword in the world of new technology. The initials stand for Voice over Internet Protocol, which is a complicated way of saying "Internet telephone service." Rather than using traditional phone lines or cellular towers and satellites, VoIP technology sends conversations through the same broadband connections used by home computers. Ideally, the conversation travels just as fast as an old home telephone would send the same information over telephone lines.

What do I need to use VoIP, and where can I get it?

Like any Internet application, VoIP requires a high-speed Internet connection and a service provider. The largest provider in the United States is Vonage, but many smaller local companies are already creating a very competitive market. An Internet search of the term VoIP and the user's home city will usually produce a long list of possibilities. Not all companies use the term VoIP, but anyone offering phone service through an Internet connection is using the same VoIP technology.

The service provider will supply the necessary software. The subscriber can then choose the style of hardware they prefer. Users who prefer the traditional telephone experience can use a digital telephone or even an old touch-tone phone plugged into a special converter. Those preferring a more high-tech experience may use VoIP service through a headset and microphone connected directly to a computer. Users are often able to use the same phone number from their home or cell phone for their VoIP system.

Pros and Cons of VoIP

Like any new technology, rumors of benefits and difficulties of using VoIP are equally common and often exaggerated. Just like a new flat screen television or a high definition DVD player, the real question is not whether VoIP technology is good or bad, but whether it is right for a particular person. There are some basic pros and cons to keep in mind.

On the plus side, VoIP has great potential. It has already caught on as an inexpensive alternative for long distance service. Even international calls cost a small fraction of what traditional phone services charge. Unlike cell phones, no special equipment is needed to continue using VoIP service when traveling internationally, which makes the technology especially popular with business owners and those with relatives in other countries.

Because VoIP calls are linked to the Internet and the user's computer, the number of applications being developed is huge. VoIP communication combined with digital conferencing, Web site interactions, and instructional popup windows is already being tested.  A basic familiarity with VoIP service is rapidly becoming a good business investment for a variety of careers.

On the negative side, VoIP is a relatively new technology. Depending on the computer and the speed of the Internet connection, calls made with VoIP can be subject to occasional stalling. Sound quality varies widely and there can be delays or gaps in conversation during peak hours of Internet use. As the service becomes more popular, providers will certainly work out these bugs, but for the time being VoIP is less reliable than traditional phone services.

Not all services associated with land lines or even cell phones are currently available for VoIP. 911 emergency services are not set up for VoIP since there is no way of tracing the physical location of the user. 411 service and other directory listings are inconsistent or unavailable to VoIP customers, and the user's VoIP number will only appear in listings if there is another phone service associated with the number. Home security systems that rely on land line phone service for communications cannot be adapted for VoIP. Perhaps most significantly, VoIP service relies on consistent Internet access, which means a power outage will leave users disconnected until the power comes back on.

As the VoIP industry becomes larger and more competitive, developing solutions to such issues will become a high priority. At present, it is an important technology to be aware of. A VoIP system can be a great way to cut down high long distance bills, but it will probably be some time before average homeowners start replacing their regular phone services with VoIP.