VoIP - Voice over IP - is a technology used for transmittance of voice in the internet, thus connecting the two different worlds - the world of telephony and the world of the internet. Until recently, circuit switched networks (telephone networks) and packet switched networks (IP networks) existed virtually independently from each other and were used for different purposes. Telephone networks were used only for transmission of voice data, and IP networks - for data transmission.
How does VoIP work?
In the process of speaking the voice signals (the words we say) are transformed into compressed data packets. After that, these data packets are sent to the other party via the internet. When the data packets reach the recipient, they are deciphered into the original voice signals. Creation of packets, i.e., transformation of analogous (particularly, voice) signals into digital ones, their compression, transmission over the internet and reverse transformation into analogous signals, occurs due to existence of a data transfer protocol via the internet (IP), hence the name Voice over IP. A data transfer protocol is a peculiar language enabling transformation and getting of digital data to the destination, where these data may be either texts of emails, or voice messages, or images, or video clips.
What is the difference between VoIP and standard telephony?
In a customary phone call, connection between both interlocutors is established via a telephone exchange for the sole purpose of conversation. Voice signals are transferred through particular telephone lines, via dedicated connection. In case of a request via the internet, the compressed data packets are sent to the internet with the destination address. Each data packet goes its own way to the recipient with different routes. The data packets are deblocked and deciphered into the original voice signals for the recipient.
