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A guide to VOIP

What is Voice Over Internet Protocol?
Voice Over Internet Protocol, shortened to VOIP (pronounced voyp) is the transmission of voice over a live network. Sometime it is known as IP telephony, internet telephony, broadband telephony, broadband phone, or voice over broadband, but it all means the same thing.  

Packaged to the consumer VOIP is a telephone service which is conducted over the internet (using a broadband connection, as dial-up would be too slow). The conversation can take place between two VOIP users which would normally be a free service, or between a VOIP user and a standard telephone line.

What do you need?
If you want to use VOIP, you will need a sound input and output device, this can be a microphone and a set of speakers, a combined headset, or a special VOIP telephone. We have provided a selection of what is available below, click on an item for more information, or click here to view the whole range.

The second thing you will need to do is sign up to a VOIP service provider, see below.