Let's Talk VoIP

We’ve all heard the phrase “VoIP” but how many of us really understand it?

Let’s start with the definition….”VoIP” stands for “Voice Over Internet Protocol”.  Ok everybody knows “VoIP” now, right? 

Lots of today’s companies throw around “VoIP” as a buzz word in their marketing efforts.  Ever heard of Skype, Magic Jack, and Vonage?  They are all over your television and they all use VoIP technologies.

Next question…..What is “Internet Protocol”?

Wikipedia defines “Internet Protocol as…….  

“IP is the primary protocol in the Internet Layer of the Internet Protocol Suite and has the task of delivering packets from the source host to the destination host solely based on the addresses”

The Business Outsource Guy (Me) defines “internet protocol” as:

"the method used to take a human voice and convert it to a digital signal which can then be sent across the caller’s internet service to another person and then converted back to a human voice" 

VoIP is to the telephone as HDMI is to your TV signals.  We’ve all lived the latest craze to convert from analog TV to digital TV.  But I think we all agree our picture is better with digital & high definition signals!  As VoIP technology continues to evolve, the voice quality will also reflect similar advances in quality.

Here’s a simple non-tech example to understand the basic science on analog vs. digital signals:

Analog Signal Diagram

If you tie one end of a rope to a tree 100’ away from you and shake it, you will see the rope move in a wave type motion, with bigger waves closer to you and diminishing waves as you get closer to the tree.  Imagine this is your voice.  If you call your neighbor, you’re very close and your voice sounds great.  If you call you cousin in Europe, they are at the other end of the rope and your voice sounds weak and far away.  Now take a picture….if you gave one to your neighbor next door and one to your cousin in Europe, the picture looks exactly the same.  No deterioration of quality between the two.  Same theory works with your voice on digital service.   VoIP technology is layman’s terms, takes a picture of your voice and transmits it to the person you are calling.  No reduction in sound quality.

Digital Signal Diagram

VoIP has a great future and it looks like we’ll all soon be using it for better or worse. If I can answer any specific questions, please enter them in the comments sections and I’ll be happy to respond.

 If you’d like more information on how to utilize VoIP technologies for your business and take advantage of some wonderful equipment and service packages, drop me a quick note at dave@davehanron.com or @DaveHanron on Twitter