Internet Telephony Companies

As any Internet telephony service provider can explain, telephony consists of using equipment to enable voice communication over distances. This technology is the electronic transmission of voice or other information, using systems which are usually associated with telephones. With computers available which can transmit digital information over telephone systems, and the use of radio to transmit telephone signals, the line between telephony and 'regular' telecommunications has become less distinct.

These Internet telephony companies use the Internet rather than telephone company infrastructure to carry spoken words and other forms of information. Since access is billed at regular local phone connection rates, a telephone call which is long distance or even international will be much less expensive. Fax transmissions will also cost less if they are routed through a gateway point online. Voice messages may be able to be sent along with text e-mails. An individual can add telephone capacity to a computer by adding a special board. This board combines modem, soundboard, speakerphone and voicemail functions. This type of board is often included in machines which are being marketed to small business or home office users. One such example is a telephony API (TAPI) which allows clients of the Internet telephony service provider to access voice capacity on a server and connects the PC and phone systems.

One term which is used constantly by Internet telephony companies is 'VoIP'. This term stand for 'Voice over Internet Protocol' and is optimized for voice transmission through the Internet or other packet-switched networks. (Voice transmission has plenty of other aliases: IP telephony, voice over broadband, broadband telephony and broadband phone. No wonder people get confused!) Voice-over-IP systems carry the telephone signals as digital audio, usually compressed and put into a data-packet stream.

VoIP can provide services that are difficult (or at least more expensive) using public-switched telephone networks. Adding an additional phone line to a home or office is easy, because more than one telephone call can be transmitted over the same broadband connection. Services such as conference calling, call forwarding, auto redial and caller ID are rendered nearly cost-free, whereas traditional telecommunication companies may charge extra fees for these services. Only an Internet connection is needed to get connected to a VoIP Internet telephony service provider. With a sufficient amount of fast and stable broadband, a person can work from just about anywhere. This independence is a valued feature offered by Internet telephony companies. Advanced telephone features are available, such as call routing and screen pops. One interesting use of Internet phone services is the ability to speak with a customer service representative while paging through an online catalog. Since the phone call is on the same data network as the user's PC, this opens up a host of future possibilities for businesses and consumers alike.

Security is often a concern, especially in a business situation. Individuals also may worry that their personal information could be intercepted. These are valid concerns, since without safeguards, it would be possible for outsiders to steal packets of information or possibly interrupt services. However, calls can be secured using standard protocols. Since the information is already digitized, one would only have to provide for encrypting and authenticating the data stream. Because services available from Internet telephony companies are attractive to business and individual users alike -- video conversations, file exchanges at the time of the conversation, audio conferencing -- no doubt security procedures will continue to be expanded and strengthened.

Choosing an Internet telephony service provider can seem daunting. There are many services which can be located by an online search. Some Internet telephony companies specialize in providing services for certain geographic areas, so they may have deals which are attractive to a certain niche of customers. Other important items to consider are reliability and voice quality. Deals which seem too good to be true may be exactly that, for some less expensive services have poor voice quality or the transmission may drop out in the middle of a conversation. It may be wise to take advantage of the free trial periods offered by many companies in order to ascertain the best value for the money. At times, it is better to pay more, in order to obtain a high quality product.

The services offered by an Internet telephony service provider can also be attractive to Christians who view the increasing variety of options as further opportunities for the followers of Jesus to share the gospel with those who have not heard it, or to strengthen believers by instructing them in the Bible. Paul's words in II Thessalonians 3:1 seem appropriate -- ...brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you. Interested persons could obtain a study partner or the use of commentaries and other materials to help illuminate difficult Bible passages. Indigenous pastors in far-away mission fields can receive training and encouragement without having to leave their homelands or incur educational debts. This also helps retain a pastor's credibiity among his own people. Local pastors can use conferencing services to meet with colleagues for training or fellowship, without having to worry about travel expenses. Such services will no doubt continue to expand and develop as time goes on. Enjoy using them for personal or business applications, but do not forget to apply them to a Christian's most important activities, for these can have eternal implications.

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