What is VoIP?

Gone are the days of not being able to place calls due to a poor cellular network. That’s because now, your smartphone can connect to mobile data and place calls using the same. Wondering how? Enter: VoIP. Read on to find out more. 

What is VoIP and how does it work?

VoIP, or Voice over Internet Protocol, in mobile phones is a clever feature that allows you to make calls on your phone using your internet connection. How it essentially does this, is by converting voice signals into digital data packets. These packets are then transmitted to the receiver using the internet, and then reassembled as audio. 

ALSO READ: What is VoWiFi?

This is what enables you to make calls over WhatsApp, Skype, or trams. What’s cool is, its functionality is not just limited to calling. VoIP also allows for instant messaging and file sharing as well. What’s more, VoIP technology is accessible to any device which has an internet connection – including desktops, tablets and laptops.

Pros and cons of VoIP technology

VoIP offers several advantages to a user. For starters, it supports many features such as call forwarding, blocking, caller ID, as well as remote management. Moreover, the fact that all you have to pay for is your internet connection, and nothing to your service provider for the call itself, also makes it an extremely cost effective mechanism. 

ALSO READ: How to enable Wi-Fi calling on your smartphone

On the flip side however, there are also a few potential issues you may have to face with VoIP. For starters, audio quality on VoIP calls varies according to your broadband connection’s strength, as well as device hardware. When connections drop, disturbances and voices being cut off are common. 

Secondly, VoIP is also subject to certain security threats, such as identity theft, phishing, transmission of viruses and malware via infected files, call tapping, and more.  

In conclusion though, despite certain disadvantages, VoIP’s utility still cannot be overlooked. It has revolutionised the way we interact with each other – whether friends, family or colleagues, leveraging the power of the internet for a truly interconnected world.