What is VoIP – Voice Over Internet Protocol?

Although you might not have heard of “VoIP,” it’s a voice transmission technology that’s been around for quite some time—about twenty years, in fact. VoIP is a telephone connection technology that lets you talk on the phone at home as you normally would with one exception: there’s no need for that regular phone cable (it’s called a CAT3 cable, in case you want to impress your friends) that plugs into your wall.   

That’s all fine and good but the question still persists: what is VoIP and how can it benefit you? 

Glad you asked. 

VoIP, in a nutshell 

VoIP (that’s pronounced VOYP) stands for Voice over Internet Protocol. It was first introduced in 1995 to allow the use of an internet connection to carry voice data, therefore making it possible to utilize an internet connection to support phone calls.   

Unlike that traditional phone line we’ve used for over a hundred years (that transmits “analog” voice information), VoIP uses your internet connection to send and receive digital versions of your conversation; it’s the same line that gives you connection to the internet so you can surf the web, shop online and check your email.  

Do you have VoIP? 

VoIP goes by several different names, some that you may have heard of: IP Telephony, Internet Telephony, Internet Calling, and Broadband Phone Services. Typically, you’ll encounter the availability of VoIP calling service in bundled offerings from your internet provider; they may offer high-speed internet to your home bundled with VoIP phone service, allowing you to get rid of your “landline” phone connection. 

While landlines are still viable and will likely continue to be for quite some time, Voice over Internet Protocol allows you to make and receive phone calls using devices other than your traditional home phone. You could use your computer, your laptop and other specially designed calling devices (like call-captioning phones) to carry on a normal conversation. VoIP gives you the freedom to choose how you’ll make your calls.  

Why does ClearCaptions care about VoIP? 

Keeping people connected and independent is what ClearCaptions is all about. For those who have trouble hearing on the phone, it can be a huge relief to read along to make sure you catch what your callers are saying, as they’re saying it.  

So, what about VoIP? ClearCaptions has recently updated its call captioning home phone to connect to the world with a traditional landline or with an internet-based phone service. For those that no longer have a landline ClearCaptions now has a home phone solution for you! With this update, our home captioning phone works with VoIP technology so our customers can make and receive captioned calls no matter what connection they use.  

Learn more about the ClearCaptions home phone.  

As technology changes, ClearCaptions keeps pace to ensure everyone can stay connected, with every call, every day. Whether it’s how you connect to our service, the technology behind the captions themselves or new improvements to our products, we’re constantly bringing the best experience to our customers.