Many people are confused by VoIP phone services and mistakenly believe they need a computer to make broadband Internet phone calls. However, this is not the case at all although it seems that it might be since the phone calls are placed over the Internet. The easiest way to understand how you place and receive VoIP phone calls is to understand a little more about what VoIP is and how it works.

VoIP stands for voice over Internet protocol and there are two types of VoIP services. The first is a phone-based service and the second is a computer-based service. For the phone based VoIP services you do not need a computer to make phone calls. All you need is a regular telephone, VoIP phone service plan, and high speed Internet. As long as you have these three things you can make all the phone calls you want to any number worldwide depending on the plan you have. However, if you have a computer based VoIP service then you will certainly need a computer. That is because the software is downloaded onto your computer and then you use a headset connected to the computer to place calls and carry on conversations.

When you want to place a phone call through your VoIP phone provider then all you do is pick up the phone and dial. There is nothing complicated or confusing about it. It is just the same as when you had a traditional phone company so there is nothing new to learn or understand. However, if you are using a computer-based program you will need to learn the basics because it is just a little different. First, you need to have the VoIP program downloaded on your computer. There are quite a few different ones to choose from and they are all a little different. Once you have the VoIP program on your computer you simply connect your microphone and headset to the computer and use the on screen keypad to dial the number. That is if you are calling an actual phone number. If you happen to be calling another user of the particular service you use then you would simply click their user name and the “call” icon.

As you can see placing and receiving broadband internet phone calls really is not that difficult at all. All you have to do is have a phone plan and a phone and you are ready to make your calls. Or, you need to have a computer, a headset, and a VoIP program downloaded on your computer. Regardless of whether you use one of the VoIP services or both you will have no problem whatsoever placing and receiving phone calls.