Expressvpn Glossary
VoIP
What is VoIP?
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a technology that supports making voice calls over the internet. As such, it serves a similar function to landlines and cell phones.
How does it work / How is VoIP used?
VoIP technology converts a person’s voice into small data packets and transmits them over the internet. When those packets reach the recipient’s end, the data is reassembled and converted back into sound. The process happens almost instantly, enabling conversations to take place with little to no delay.
VoIP calls are mostly made using services like Discord, WhatsApp, and Google Meet. The voice and video call functions on these apps utilize VoIP technology. It's also possible to use a VoIP service to call someone with a traditional phone line. This is done by converting the VoIP call into a signal that the regular phone network can handle.
Why is it important?
VoIP offers significant advantages over traditional phone systems. For personal users, VoIP vastly reduces the cost of long-distance or international calls. It also makes it easy to stay connected, since VoIP services work anywhere with an internet connection and don’t depend on local numbers or carriers. Finally, VoIP services often include extra features, like group calls and video calls.
Likewise, businesses make use of VoIP to reduce expenses. It’s especially useful for companies with high call volumes or international reach. Compared to traditional telecommunications, VoIP is easier to scale as a business grows, since adding new users or locations doesn’t require extra physical lines or costly infrastructure. Finally, many VoIP services offer useful features for businesses, such as call forwarding, voicemail-to-email, and integration with other business applications.
Where is it used?
VoIP is used wherever people need reliable voice communication over the internet, whether for personal calls or business operations.
Personal users often rely on VoIP to communicate with friends and family, especially those in other countries. Organizations use VoIP to support remote teams, call centers, and customer support departments.
Further reading
FAQ
What is VoIP used for?
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology allows people to transmit audio over the internet in real time. Services like Discord, Zoom, and WhatsApp are used to call friends and family. In business settings, VoIP is often preferred over traditional phone networks for connecting remote teams and running customer support departments.
Why would someone use a VoIP number?
A Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) number works like a regular phone number, except it's linked to a VoIP service, which routes calls through the internet rather than traditional phone lines. VoIP offers several advantages, such as lower costs for long-distance or international calls, the ability to make and receive calls from anywhere with an internet connection, and more.
What is a disadvantage of using VoIP?
The main disadvantage of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is that it requires a reliable internet connection. Poor bandwidth or network issues can cause dropped calls, delays, or reduced call quality. Other potential drawbacks include being vulnerable to internet or power outages and the inability of emergency services to automatically detect the caller’s location.
Is VoIP like a landline?
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is similar to a landline in that it allows people to make and receive phone calls, but the technology is different. Landlines use copper wires to transmit calls, while VoIP converts voice into data and sends it over the internet.
