VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)
Phone calls carried over an internet connection instead of traditional phone lines.What Is VoIP?
VoIP, short for voice over internet protocol, is a way to make and receive phone calls over an internet connection. Your voice is turned into small packets of data, sent across the network and turned back into sound on the other end. It powers most business phone systems today, apps like Microsoft Teams, and many home phone services.
How VoIP Works
- You speak into a VoIP desk phone, a computer or a phone app.
- Your voice is converted to digital data and split into packets.
- The packets travel over your internet connection to the provider’s network.
- They’re reassembled and played back on the other end, whether that’s another VoIP line, a cell phone or a landline.
A single call uses very little bandwidth, roughly 100 Kbps. What matters more is a steady connection. Low latencia and low jitter keep calls from cutting out or people talking over each other.
What You Need for VoIP
- A reliable internet connection with solid upload speed
- A VoIP desk phone, a headset with a computer, or a mobile app
- A VoIP service provider
- For businesses, a router that gives voice traffic priority
VoIP vs Landline
| Característica | VoIP | Traditional landline |
|---|---|---|
| How calls travel | Internet data packets | Copper phone lines |
| Cost | Typically lower, especially for long distance | Higher, with fewer included features |
| Where you can use it | Anywhere with internet | Only where the line is installed |
| Features | Voicemail to email, auto attendants, call forwarding, video | Basic calling, add-ons cost extra |
| Power outage | Needs power and internet, or a battery backup | Copper lines can work without home power |
VoIP for Businesses
For a business, VoIP replaces the phone system in the back closet with a hosted one. Auto attendants, hunt groups that ring several phones at once, and voicemail transcription come standard, and adding a line for a new hire doesn’t need new wiring.
ALLO Business Voice is built on VoIP, with Cloud Voice, a hosted PBX, and Microsoft Teams Voice for teams that already work in Teams.
Looking for a business phone system?
Preguntas Frecuentes
Do I need a special phone for VoIP?
Not necessarily. You can use a VoIP desk phone, a headset with a computer or an app on your cell phone. Some services also work with a regular phone through an adapter.
Is VoIP cheaper than a landline?
Yes. VoIP often includes unlimited local and long-distance calling at a flat rate, with fewer equipment and maintenance costs.
Can I keep my phone number if I switch to VoIP?
In most cases, yes. Moving an existing number to a new provider is called porting, and the new provider handles it.
Does VoIP work during a power outage?
Not on its own. VoIP needs power and an internet connection. A battery backup for your router and phone keeps service up during short outages, and calls can forward to a cell phone.
How much internet speed does VoIP need?
Each call uses about 100 Kbps in each direction. Even a small office with several calls at once needs only a few Mbps, as long as the connection is stable.
What causes bad VoIP call quality?
Usually jitter, high latency or a crowded Wi-Fi network, not a lack of speed. A wired connection and a router that prioritizes voice traffic fix most problems.
Is VoIP call quality better than cellular?
Often, yes — especially on a strong internet connection. VoIP can offer high-definition (HD) audio clarity.
