Broadband Phone Service

Here are the major broadband Internet phone service providers.

Broadband phone service routes your conversation over the Internet fiber optic network rather than the traditional phone network. This is called VOIP or Voice over Internet Protocol.

Broadband phone service uses your high speed broadband Internet connection to carry your conversation digitally to its destination. There it is transferred to the phone network where it reaches the person you are calling. You can call anyone in the world and can receive calls from anyone in the world--just like a regular telephone.

You can use any broadband Internet connection: DSL, Cable, or Satellite. All these systems provide an Internet modem. You typically plug your computer into this modem.

Unless you have several computers or other devices using the Internet, you probably do not have a home router. A router distributes the data packets from your broadband modem to your devices. With broadband phone service, you will have to use a router to connect your computer and your phone to the modem.

With high speed Internet phone service, typically your regular phone plugs into an adaptor. The adaptor converts analog signals from your phone to digital packets. This adaptor then connects to a home router which is in turn connected to your high speed modem.

Some providers also allow you to use your computer to receive and make calls. Your computer uses a software program that emulates the keypad of a telephone. You use a headset (with a microphone) to talk with the people you are calling. This option allows you to use your laptop computer to talk anywhere you find a high speed Internet connection.