Key Takeaways

• A VoIP phone uses your internet connection to make calls instead of traditional phone lines, giving you more flexibility and freedom.
• VoIP offers practical benefits like being able to move your phone anywhere in your home, not just where phone jacks are located.
• Learning what is a VoIP number helps you see how it works just like a regular phone number, but with more convenience.
• Comparing VoIP vs landline shows that VoIP provides the same clear call quality you’re used to, plus added mobility.
• ClearCaptions VoIP Phones work seamlessly with your internet connection to deliver captions while you talk.

If you don’t have a landline or are thinking about switching away from traditional phone service, you might have questions about VoIP. Perhaps you’re wondering, “What is a VoIP phone?” The good news is that VoIP phones are easier to understand than you might think, and they offer some real advantages for your daily life.

Let’s explore what VoIP is, how it works, the key differences in VoIP vs landline service, and why it might be a great option for you.

What Is a VoIP Phone?

VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol. While that sounds technical, the concept is simple: instead of using traditional phone lines with copper wires, a VoIP phone makes calls using your internet connection.

Think of it this way. When you use a regular landline phone, your voice travels through physical wires connected to your home. With a VoIP phone, instead of wires, your voice travels through the internet, just like when you send an email or browse a website.

When you’re talking on a VoIP phone, it feels exactly the same as using a regular phone. You pick up the handset, dial a number, and have a conversation. The technology works behind the scenes, so you don’t need to do anything different.

What Is a VoIP Number?

If you’re wondering what is a VoIP number, the answer is straightforward: a VoIP telephone number works just like any other phone number. It has the same format you’re familiar with: a three-digit area code followed by seven digits. People can call you at this number, and you can give it out to friends, family, and businesses just like you would with a landline number.

The difference is how the number connects to the phone system. While a landline number is tied to a physical phone jack in your home, a VoIP telephone number connects through your internet service. This gives you more flexibility in how and where you use your phone.

VoIP vs Landline: Understanding the Differences

Understanding what is a VoIP number clarifies one key difference between the two types of phone: while a landline number is tied to a physical phone jack in your home, a VoIP telephone number connects through your internet service.

When comparing VoIP vs landline phones, it helps to understand what makes them different and what stays the same.

What stays the same

Most things stay the same when you use VoIP:

• You still have a regular phone number that people can call
• Your phone still rings when someone calls you
• You pick up and dial just like always
• Call quality is clear and reliable
• You can make local and long-distance calls

What changes for the better

VoIP offers several practical improvements:

• You can move your phone anywhere in your home where you have Wi-Fi
• You’re not limited to rooms with phone jacks
• Setting up service is often simpler
• You get modern features built in
• Your phone works wherever you have internet

The Freedom to Move Your Phone

One of the most practical benefits of a VoIP phone is mobility. With a traditional landline, you can only use your phone where there’s a phone jack in the wall. If you want to make calls from your bedroom, kitchen, and living room, you need phone jacks in all three places.

With a VoIP phone, you can move it anywhere in your home that has Wi-Fi coverage. Want to keep your phone on the kitchen counter during the day and move it to your bedside table at night? With VoIP, that’s easy. The phone connects wirelessly to your internet, so you have the freedom to place it wherever is most convenient for you.

This flexibility is especially helpful if you spend time in different rooms throughout the day or if you want to keep your phone close by while you’re working on hobbies, watching TV, or relaxing.

What You Need for VoIP

To use a VoIP phone, you need:

An internet connection

VoIP works through your internet service. If you currently use the internet for email, online shopping, or staying in touch with family, you already have what you need. Most modern internet connections are fast enough to support clear phone calls.

A VoIP phone

With ClearCaptions, you get a phone designed specifically to work with our industry-leading call captioning service. It looks and feels like a regular phone, with a handset, buttons to dial, and an easy-to-read screen. The phone comes ready to connect to your internet, so you don’t need to figure out complicated setup steps.

Wi-Fi or ethernet connection

Your VoIP phone connects to your internet either through Wi-Fi (wireless) or an ethernet cable (a cord that plugs into your router). Many people prefer Wi-Fi because it means no extra cords to manage, but both options work well.

How ClearCaptions VoIP Works

ClearCaptions phones use VoIP technology to deliver both voice and captions during your calls. Here’s what happens:

When you set up your VoIP phone with ClearCaptions, you receive a VoIP telephone number that works just like your old landline number. When someone calls you, or you call them, the conversation travels through your internet connection. At the same time, ClearCaptions creates captions of what the other person is saying. These captions appear on your phone’s screen at a conversational pace, so you can read along as you listen.

Because the phone uses the internet, all of this happens smoothly and quickly. You get the captions you need without any extra equipment or complicated setup.

Benefits of ClearCaptions VoIP

Placement flexibility

Place your phone wherever it’s most useful. Keep it in the room where you spend the most time and move it easily if your routine changes.

Simple setup

ClearCaptions provides free in-home phone setup. A specialist will arrive at your home to set the phone up for you, then provide you with guided training to make sure you feel confident using your new phone.

Reliable captions

Your captions work the same way they did with a ClearCaptions landline phone. The quality and speed of captions don’t change when you switch to VoIP.

Clear call quality

VoIP call quality has improved dramatically over the years. With a good internet connection, your calls will sound clear and natural.

Why People Choose VoIP

More and more people are choosing VoIP phones over traditional landlines because they offer practical benefits for everyday life. When weighing VoIP vs landline options, consider these advantages:

Simplified home setup: Without the need for phone jacks, you have more freedom in how you arrange your home and where you place your phone.

Modern reliability: Today’s VoIP technology is mature and dependable. Millions of people rely on it every day.

Future-ready: As technology continues to evolve, VoIP systems can adapt and improve without requiring you to buy new equipment.

All-in-one solution: Your ClearCaptions VoIP Phone handles both your calls and your captions in one device, keeping things simple.

Is VoIP Right for You?

When comparing VoIP vs landline service, VoIP might be a good fit if:

• You don’t currently have a landline or are considering disconnecting it
• You want the flexibility to move your phone around your home
• You have a reliable internet connection
• You value modern technology that’s still easy to use
• You want to simplify your home phone setup

Remember, switching to VoIP doesn’t mean giving up the features you’re used to. With ClearCaptions, you still get the captions you rely on, clear call quality, and a phone that’s familiar and easy to use.

Getting Support

If you have questions about VoIP or want to learn more about ClearCaptions VoIP service, our support team is here to help. We can:

• Answer your questions about how VoIP works
• Help you understand if your internet connection is ready
• Walk you through the setup process
• Provide ongoing support whenever you need it

You don’t have to figure this out alone. ClearCaptions is committed to making sure you have a phone service that works for you, whether that’s through VoIP or another solution.

Moving Forward With Confidence

Understanding what is a VoIP phone and how it compares to traditional landlines helps you make informed decisions about your phone service. While the technology has changed, the basics remain the same: a VoIP phone lets you talk to the people who matter most, with the captions you need to follow every conversation.

The added flexibility and modern conveniences of VoIP can make your daily life a little easier, without requiring you to learn complicated new skills or change how you use your phone.

Whether you’re ready to make the switch now or just exploring your options, knowing about VoIP gives you more choices for staying connected.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a VoIP phone in simple terms?

A VoIP phone is a telephone that makes calls using your internet connection instead of traditional phone lines. It looks and works like a regular phone. You pick up the handset, dial numbers, and talk just like always. The main difference is that your voice travels through the internet rather than through copper wires. You don’t need any technical knowledge to use one; it’s designed to feel familiar and easy, with all the technology working quietly in the background.

What are the main differences in VoIP vs landline?

The biggest difference is how your calls travel. A landline uses physical copper wires running to your home, while VoIP uses your internet connection. With VoIP, you can move your phone anywhere you have Wi-Fi instead of being limited to rooms with phone jacks. VoIP simply gives you more flexibility in where you place your phone and how you set up your service.

Do I need a computer to use a VoIP phone?

No. Your ClearCaptions VoIP Phone works independently. While it uses your internet connection, you don’t need a computer to make calls.

Will VoIP work with my current internet service?

Most modern internet connections work well with VoIP. If you can browse websites and check email without problems, your internet is likely fast enough. ClearCaptions can test your connection to make sure.

How much internet speed do I need?

A typical VoIP call uses very little internet bandwidth. Most home internet plans provide more than enough speed. You don’t need the fastest plan available to have clear calls.

Can I use VoIP if I don’t have Wi-Fi?

Yes. Your VoIP phone can connect directly to your internet router with a cable, so Wi-Fi isn’t required. Many people use this option because it can provide an even more stable connection.

What happens to my captions with VoIP?

Your captions work exactly the same way. ClearCaptions delivers captions to your phone screen during calls, just like with a ClearCaptions landline phone. The quality and speed of captions don’t change.

Is VoIP safe and secure?

Yes. Modern VoIP systems include security features to protect your calls and information. ClearCaptions takes privacy and security seriously for all our services.