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How A Broadband Phone Works
http://www.netarticles.com/How-A-Broadband-Phone-Works/a2009_1
Melgrace Abandula

 
By Melgrace Abandula
Published on 02/13/2008
 
Broadband PhoneNow, you can call as often as you can without worrying too much on long distance charges. Make that call with a broadband phone.

How A Broadband Phone works
A broadband phone uses VoIP or Voice over Internet Protocol to send phone calls through the Internet instead of a telephone network. When you call using a broadband phone, VoIP changes your voice into digital packets transmitted through the Internet and is then changed back into analog signals before reaching the receiver, that is if you are calling through a broadband phone to someone who uses a cell phone or land line.

Also called an Internet phone, a broadband phone is available in both software and hardware. To use a hardware broadband phone, you will need an adapter, which is either built-in to an all-in-one telephone unit or an add-on to your standard phone. The hardware is attached to either your network router through Ethernet or your computer through USB. A software broadband phone, on the other hand, uses a software program for broadband calls.

VoIP is being considered as the new face of communications, with more and more companies providing broadband phone services at present. Call rates, especially on long distance calls, are cheaper with a broadband phone as compared to a regular phone network. However, it may not have the same quality and reliability the way a telephone network can provide.

The beauty of a broadband phone is that it works just like a regular telephone once it is set up. You pick when the phone rings or make a call just as you normally would. This particularly applies to a hardware broadband phone rather than the software version that needs a computer for it to operate. Moreover, a broadband phone service is also bundled with different call features such as voicemail, caller ID and call waiting.

But perhaps the primary selling point of a broadband phone is that you get maximum savings on long distance calls, since a broadband call moves through the Internet rather than a regular phone line, which is usually quite expensive. Moreover, a number of broadband phone servers provide free calls for their users as well.

Currently, there are two major competitors in the field of broadband phone services namely Primus and Vonage. Many telephone and cable companies, some of which include Bell, Rogers, Shaw and Telus, are also jumping into the broadband phone bandwagon as well.

If you are considering a broadband phone service, there are some things that you need to consider. First , you need to have a high-speed Internet connection. Also, you need to keep in mind that a broadband phone service is subject to Internet related issues that may pertain to reliability and security such as viruses and power outages, which can affect the quality of your broadband phone service. Moreover, sound quality is another issue as well, as you may experience clipped sentences and distortion.

Not all broadband phone servers provide emergency call services, such as 911. Those that may do may only offer limited service. For instance, a basic 911 network may not be able to trace caller\'s number or identify his/her location, so you may have to give out necessary information when making a call.

Contrary to most people\'s perception, a long distance call is not free when you use a broadband phone service. Some plans provide unlimited long distance call minutes in certain countries, while calling in other places may cost you. Other plans may charge separate rates on long distance calls, even if you are calling within the country.

A broadband phone can work for you if you want to ride with the new wave and of course, get rid of high phone bills on long distance calls. And with a lot of companies leaping into the broadband bandwagon, the rates may probably go down even more.