What do you need in order to use VOIP in your home?

VoIP is a great communication technology and a more affordable alternative to traditional landlines. VoIP systems can save you a lot of money, are easy to set up and come with a lot of features and benefits, including the possibility to keep your old phone number. Read more about the advantages of using a VoIP system.

How to set up VoIP in your home

If you do decide to switch from your PSTN (public switched telephone network) telephony to VoIP, there are two ways to go. You can either use just your computer and an Internet connection to make calls or you can continue to use your conventional telephone set but use it through VoIP.

There are service providers out there which offer free VoIP services, such as Google Talk, Skype and others. You don’t even necessarily need a phone to use them. You just need a computer, the proper software installed on it, a reliable Internet connection, a microphone and speakers or a headset, which you most likely already have, if you own a computer.

What equipment do you need to use VoIP with your phone?

If you want to use your own phone, you need the following, in order to switch to VoIP:

• A VoIP phone adapter, which you can order from your VoIP provider
• An Ethernet cable
• An AC power adapter
• A high speed, reliable Internet connection
• A router if you want to share the connection
• A phone

Here is the installation process, step by step:

The first thing is to subscribe to a reputable VoIP provider and give up your landline service. Then you have to connect/set up the equipment.

The VoIP phone adapter should come with the proper installation instructions. You have to plug the Ethernet cable: one end will go into the router/modem and the other one into the LAN port of the adapter.

Next you have to connect the telephone cable into the phone port of the VoIP adapter and the other end into the phone.

The last step is to connect the AC adapter to the VoIP one.

Once your internet connection is on, you turn the VoIP adapter and wait until the connection is ready. When everything is ready, you should usually see a green light that indicates so.

How to use VoIP with your smartphone?

There is also the possibility to use VoIP with your smartphone. You need a WiFi connection, a specialized app and your smartphone.

The most common way to use VoIP on smartphones is one you’ve most likely used a lot of times already, without even realizing. It entails you installing apps such as Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Skype, Viber, and so on. You can make calls using these apps, but the downside is that you can only use them with people who also have the same app installed on their smartphone. As you probably know it, with these apps you can also make video calls, group calls and more.

In some cases, if you switch from traditional landlines to VoIP, the VoIP provider will let you keep your phone number. However, not all providers offer that benefit, some require you to choose a new number.

Also, in case you decide to use VoIP apps/software, most times you won’t even need a phone number. You just have to create an online account and sign up.