VoIP FAQ

  • What is an ATA?

The simplest and most common way is through the use of a device called an ATA (analog telephone adaptor). The ATA allows you to connect a standard phone to your computer or your Internet connection for use with VoIP. The ATA is an analog-to-digital converter. It takes the analog signal from your traditional phone and converts it into digital data for transmission over the Internet. Providers like Vonage and AT&T CallVantage are bundling ATAs free with their service. We sell ATA to connect your Skype account to regular phone sets some come with PSTN backup all are fully configurable through a webpage. You simply crack the ATA out of the box, plug the cable from your phone that would normally go in the wall socket into the ATA, and you’re ready to make VoIP calls. Our ATAs ship with additional information to setup your SIP account. But in any case, it is a very straightforward setup.

  • What are IP Phones?

These specialized phones look just like normal phones with a handset, cradle and buttons. But instead of having the standard RJ-11 phone connectors, IP phones have an RJ-45 Ethernet connector. IP phones connect directly to your router and have all the hardware and software necessary right onboard to handle the IP call - some need external power other (POE) are directly powered by the Ethernet connection. Wi-Fi phones allow subscribing callers to make VoIP calls from any Wi-Fi hot spot, USB phones connected to a computer allow users to make calls from any computer based services (Skype, MSN, Yahoo…). We sell all type of high quality IP phones at low cost. See our store or our eBay store for great deals.

  • What is VoIP?

Voice over Internet Protocol, is a method for taking analog audio signals, like the kind you hear when you talk on the phone, and turning them into digital data that can be transmitted over the Internet. VoIP is a revolutionary technology that has the potential to completely rework the world’s phone systems.

  • What is Computer-to-computer VoIP?

This is certainly the easiest way to use VoIP. You don’t even have to pay for long-distance calls. There are several companies (Skype, MSN, Yahoo…) offering free or very low-cost software that you can use for this type of VoIP. All you need is the software, a microphone, speakers, a sound card and an Internet connection, preferably a fast one like you would get through a cable or DSL modem. Except for your normal monthly ISP fee, there is usually no charge for computer-to-computer calls, no matter the distance.

  • What is a codec?

A codec, which stands for coder-decoder, converts an audio signal into a compressed digital form for transmission and then back into an uncompressed audio signal for replay. This is the essence of VoIP. Digital-to-analog conversion is seen in everything from CD players to cell phones to video game consoles. Codecs accomplish the conversion by sampling the audio signal several thousand times per second. For instance, a G.711 codec samples the audio 64,000 times a second. It converts each tiny sample into digitized data and compresses it for transmission. When the 64,000 samples are reassembled, the pieces of audio missing between each sample are so small that to the human ear, it sounds like one continuous second of audio signal. Sampling can be as high a 64,000 as low as 3,200 samples. Higher the sampling rate, higher the quality but also higher the bandwidth used. G.729A codec has a sampling rate of 8,000 times per second and is the most commonly used codec in VoIP. It is a compromised balance between sound quality and efficiency of bandwidth.