| Voice over Internet Protocol is the newest way in | | | | a similar program. In addition to the soft phone, a |
| which people are making phone calls today. | | | | person needs speakers, a sound card and a |
| Though the technology for VoIP has only been | | | | microphone to complete a call. |
| available for a relatively short time, it is already | | | | The second option for VoIP is to purchase an |
| gaining worldwide popularity. VoIP is the use of a | | | | analog telephone adapter. The adapter, once |
| broadband internet connection for the purpose of | | | | hooked up to both your Internet connection and |
| making telephone calls. This has many benefits, | | | | your phone, can convert normal phone signals into |
| most notably not having to put up with the | | | | signals that can be sent over the Internet. This |
| outrageous taxes and fees that come with | | | | has proven to be the simplest and cheapest |
| getting telephone service through a company. | | | | method of setting up a VoIP. Popular companies |
| There are three main methods in which to set up | | | | such as Vonage are starting to bundle analog |
| your VoIP, all of which even a layman can do. | | | | telephone adapters with low priced service |
| First, and most popular, is the simple | | | | agreements. The third method of setting up a |
| computer-to-computer VoIP. Users merely | | | | VoIP is the use of an IP phone. Instead of regular |
| download or purchase a "soft" phone (a computer | | | | connector cables, IP phones have Ethernet cards |
| program that acts as a phone) from the Internet | | | | that are designed to be hooked into broadband |
| that can be used to call any other computer with | | | | Internet connections. |