How Does Datavo Deliver VoIP?

If you have never heard of VoIP, be prepared to radically change the way you think about your current local and long distance plans. VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) is a method for taking analog audio signals and converting them to digital signals that are sent over the internet.

Datavo can provide VoIP to a business customer with the following two methods: ATA or IP Phones.

What is an ATA?

An ATA or Analog Telephone Adapter is the most common way of using VoIP. It is a communication device that allows you to hook up the phone or phone system that is already in your business to your Internet connection. It converts the analog signals your phone sends out into digital signals that can be sent over the Internet. ATA's are largely cheaper compared to normal analog telephone systems.

Most ATA's are a small box with an Ethernet port, a power adapter, one or many FXS telephone ports and at times may include a FXO link as well. Depending on the brand and model, it consumes around 3-5 Watts of electricity.

What is an IP Phone?

The next type of VoIP usage utilizes IP Phones instead of you desk phone. The IP Phone looks just like a normal phone, with all the same buttons and cradle, the only difference is that instead of plugging your IP phone into the wall jack like you would with a normal analog phone, it gets plugged directly into your router or modem.

This option allows you to circumvent your personal computer, and it also means that you will not have to install any software, because it is all built into the handset. Additionally, the fact that WiFi IP phones have now become available, which allows callers to make VoIP calls from any WiFi hotspot, make this option an exciting possibility.