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Once upon a time, a telephone was just a telephone. You set the base in your home and it featured either a corded or cordless handset for talking to family and friends. Even though that same telephone remains the standard, VoIP, which stands for Voice over Internet Protocol, is increasing in popularity and gradually beginning to change the way that the world sends and receives telephone calls. Commonly referred to as an internet phone, this handy device uses the net to route voices for a considerably lower rate than a standard landline phone.

A VoIP phone can handle incoming or outgoing calls and audio or video conferences. The internet phone can be used at any location that allows for an internet connection, which makes a VoIP phone ideal for business and leisure travel or even for use at home for anyone who wants to enjoy every convenience that the internet has to offer.

Even though its benefits are many, a VoIP phone does have a few drawbacks. Among them, challenges in quality are often present with delays or scratches in the connection. With conventional landline telephones, the user is connected through a reliable telephone company. VoIP phones, on the other hand, are not afforded that same luxury and this often leads to less than desirable quality. In addition, a power failure may eliminate the possibility of using a VoIP phone because it uses a modem to connect the calls. If using a desktop computer, you will not be able to use a VoIP phone without electricity. Notebook computers, however, are operational until their internal battery expires during an electrical outage.

One of the more concerning drawbacks to using VoIP phones is difficulty in routing emergency calls. Depending on the location, it may be altogether impossible to reach an emergency call center. There are, however, plans underway to correct the problem by implementing the necessary technology that would allow for successful completion of emergency calls through the use of a VoIP phone. Because these calls are not supported by encryption, the security of the conversations are also often in question. This is quite troubling to some users, who may find it worrisome to know that it is easier for individuals to overhear or gain access to a conversation without their consent or knowledge.

As technology continues to improve, the VoIP phone will continue to advance with it. Although still somewhat new in concept, it's easy to see that the VoIP phone is a promising invention that is sure to become a staple for those who wish to combine the convenience of the internet with making long distance calls at a fraction of the cost of regular landline phones.

About the Author

The author is a regular contributor to Top VoIP Plans where more information about selecting the best VoIP plans is available.