Communication forms an important part of any business today. So, every business is now keeping itself totally equipped with the latest communication tools like the internet, in order to keep in touch with the clients and business associates and to keep abreast of the competition. The internet is used for a variety of purposes such as customer care and technical support by the business organizations.

One great utility of the internet that has now emerged as a great communication tool is the Voice over Internet Protocol or VoIP. Several businesses and even common people are switching over from using the regular telephone to using VoIP for business purposes as well as in homes.

One reason why this transformation is occurring is the cost factor. VoIP has enabled users to make calls to other people at very cheap rates and even for free. It also has a lot of additional features that are not usually available while using the regular telephone. VoIP uses the internet to make and receive calls. The system works by converting the analog audio signals to digital format which gets transmitted on the internet and reconverted at the other end to be heard by the receiver.

There are many features present while using VoIP that is not found with the conventional landline. These include features like answering machine, audio and video conferencing, caller ID, three-way calling, etc. The basic package offered by various VoIP service providers can be utilized free of cost. This goes to say that all you need to do is have a fast internet connection, subscribe with some provider and you are ready to make calls. The other basic infrastructure you need is an internet phone and a computer.

While some providers will themselves be able to provide the internet phone others provide software that enables the computer to be utilized like the telephone.

The advantages to the VoIP system do not end here. If the users at both the ends have subscription with the same service provider, the parties can make and receive calls for free wherever they are. Since the internet is being used for transmission of all the calls, even calls to regular telephones, cell phones, and phone services provided by different VoIP service provider are also quite economical.

If a person has Wi-Fi enabled in his/ her home, they can make use of wireless VoIP that necessitates a Wi-Fi phone. If the person has Wi-Fi connectivity in a broader area, the Wi-Fi phone can be used like a cell phone in the areas where the connectivity is available.

Wi-Fi phones are gaining popularity with people using VoIP for making calls. This is due to the freedom that these phones provide where the person will not need to be located in his / her home to make and receive calls through the VoIP mode. All they will need is to have an active Wi-Fi signal.

So, if you have Wi-Fi connectivity to the internet in the area where you live, you too can opt for a wireless VoIP system. Having such a system will not only enable you to make and receive calls without having to be stationed in one place, it will be cheaper than using your mobile phone for calling.

Wi-Fi is a great technological advance available and VoIP is effectively using this to its benefit to enable users of this system to make and receive calls very easily.

To utilize all features provided, it is best to confer with your other contacts to know which Wi-Fi VoIP service provider they are subscribing with. This will enable you to make and receive calls to your near and dear ones in addition to your business associates and clients totally free of cost. You can make maximum utilization of the services provided as most of your contacts have opted to use the service provider that you have also subscribed with.

Several additional features provided with VoIP system is available to the users free of cost but will cost extra if a regular landline phone is being used. So, if you too want to get these features for free, go in for VoIP.

You will be able to save a lot in your monthly bills if you frequently make overseas calls. VoIP will give you freedom from watching the time elapsed while making long distance calls as these calls through VoIP is quite cheap and you can talk to your hearts content.