![]() VoIP is helping to make “unified communications” (discussed below) a reality.More telephone calls can be carried at lower cost using VoIP technology because of the efficiencies of digital-signal transmission versus analog-signal transmission.A user with a notebook computer and a headset can make phone calls using a softphone (a software program for dialing and connecting calls) wherever he or she can connect to a wireless hotspot.Many residential and SOHO (small office home office) VoIP plans include unlimited local and long-distance calling for a flat monthly fee and avoid charges associated with traditional phone services.VoIP phone providers generally offer additional services such as call waiting, three-way calling, caller ID, and call transfer and forwarding as part of their standard packages.One example is making a long-distance call: if the person at each end has VoIP, there are no long-distance charges. VoIP calls also avoid much of the regulatory structure of the existing telephone industry because of their digital nature: VoIP telephone calls bypass much of the traditional telephone network when calling a phone number and if calling another computer, bypass traditional phone networks and traditional fees entirely. VoIP transforms standard telephone capabilities into another streaming Internet service, which will revolutionize the way telephone calls are made and the features offered.Because VoIP uses the existing Internet connection, it can run seamlessly on both wired and wireless Internet connections. You can use special adapters (commonly called ATAs, for analog telephone adapters) to convert your traditional telephone signal into a digital signal to be carried over a broadband connection. This capability presents potential cost savings and allows for advanced call-management features, integration with other network services, and greater usability beyond that available through existing PBX (private branch exchange, which is the phone system used within a private company) or hybrid phone systems and traditional analog phone lines.Īlso, unlike traditional phone service, VoIP services can be obtained from several Internet providers, and you can place telephone calls from your computer (either in your office or on the road), from telephones designed specifically to work with VoIP, and from existing telephones. VoIP is viewed by many in the legal technology community as the immediate future of voice communications for law firms because of its ability to use a single, integrated network for data and voice communications. Calls are divided into packets and routed across public networks in much the same manner as other types of Internet traffic and in much the same way that information moves across your office computer network. VoIP can allow you to make a call directly from a computer, a special VoIP phone, or a traditional phone connected to a special adapter.”īecause of their digital nature and use of the Internet, VoIP phone calls bypass the majority of the traditional public switched telephone network (PSTN) – also sometimes referred to as POTS for plain old telephone service. ![]() If you are calling a regular phone number, the signal is converted to a regular telephone signal before it reaches the destination. “VoIP services convert your voice into a digital signal that travels over the Internet. What is VoIP?Īccording to the Federal Communications Commission: Although voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) might not be the right solution for every office, VoIP can not only result in reduced telecommunication costs but also have a direct and positive effect on the effectiveness and efficiency of a firm and its staff. With the expansion of broadband Internet throughout Wisconsin, Internet-based telecommunications has moved from a rarity to a reality in many areas and may come from nontraditional sources such as cable television providers. Telecommunication expenses can be one of the major overhead items for law firms of any size, and telecommunications is often one of the most neglected technologies because telephones haven’t changed much (or so it seems) for many years. With the ongoing downturn in the economy, law firms continue to look at ways to cut costs and improve efficiency.
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