What is Voice over IP:

Voice data is converted to internet protocol data and sent over the internet the same way that information is sent for the web pages you browse. It may be converted at your location or it may be converted by the location you call to place your call. To convert from your location, there are two possible ways. You could use your voice card and speaker to be your phone. Then the program in your computer would convert the voice to IP data and it would be sent to the destination you specified. You also could plug you telephone into a card in your computer or a box attached to your computer. The electronics would convert the voice to IP data. To convert outside of your location, you would call into a local number much like using a calling card. If you are calling from a phone number the system recognizes, you would be given another dial tone. Otherwise you would be prompted for a login number and password (this enables you to make a call when you are away from home). You would then dial a long distance number the way you normally dial. The electronics would convert the voice call to IP and route it to another piece of electronics local to the number called. That local electronics would generate a local phone call and convert the IP back to voice.

Since Voice over IP is relatively new, there are a large number of areas that do not have the electronics in place. No problem, we just take the IP to an electronics gateway where we convert the IP back to a voice data that can be understood by the current telephone systems and they place the call to that location. This results in a higher cost since the call is not being delivered locally but it is still more cost effective than the current systems. As electronics become available, these calls will be routed to the locations entirely by IP.

It is important that the routes for the IP traffic do not encounter significant time delays or loss of information. This is why we have built our own backbone in California to connect all our electronic equipment including our connection to the electronic gateway where we route traffic when there is not a local electronic piece. At this gateway, we have a choice of several phone companies to use to provide service. We use what is called least cost routing. We will normally send calls to area over the phone company which has the lowest rate to the area. However, if we detect a busy or bad circuit, we will route the call to the next lowest carrier. This is why we have a range of rates on our international calls.

Any problems with this site please contact the webmaster.