What is IP-telephony. IP-telephony: tuning, providers, tariffs and reviews

Long-distance and international calls on "traditional" telephone lines are a real luxury for the majority of the inhabitants of our country. The high price and low quality of communication cause more and more users to refuse to communicate with relatives and friends from other regions. Moreover, the insecurity of the telephone line makes it an easy target for intruders - with the proper ability to connect to it and talk at your expense, everyone can. If you also do not want to put yourself at risk of being robbed, but still can not refuse to "international communication", it's worth considering about connecting IP-telephony. What is Internet calls, what are the advantages of the system and how to configure the connection - we will try to understand.

Digital Calls

IP-telephony is a combination of old habits and modern technologies. This is a set of communication protocols and methods that provide traditional dialing and two-way communication via the Internet and any other IP-networks. Unlike ordinary, fixed phones, in which the voice of the interlocutor is transmitted by an analog signal, IP-telephony is used to encrypt audio in binary code and compress it. This improves the quality of communication and reduces the load on the network. Other advantages of IP-telephony calls are:

1. Low cost of international and long distance calls.
2. Independence from telephone lines.
3. Make calls anywhere.

As a last advantage, you should highlight the possibility of blocking unwanted incoming calls at your expense by disabling the "eight". Using IP-telephony is advantageous and convenient, but, like everything new, you have to get used to it.

Types of IP telephony

Internet calls can be made from a regular landline phone, with special IP equipment and even from a computer. According to the type of device through which communication is carried out, and there is a division of IP-telephony for the house into types:

1. "Computer-computer . " For communication, subscribers need a PC with installed software and connection to the Internet. The call in this case is similar to communication in Skype. This type of connection is the least common.
2. Communication via the card. To make a call you need a regular landline phone with a dial tone and an access card from the provider. To contact a friend, you first call the operator number, enter your ID and PIN code in the tone mode, and then the number of the called subscriber.
3. Communication via IP-phone. A special IP phone is already set up for communication. All you need is a connection to the Internet. When making a call, the phone automatically connects you to the provider, connects to the proxy server and calls the subscriber.

Many probably had a question: what is an IP phone? It is a simple device with a handset and a keyboard, it works independently of the computer and can accept a call at any time.

Foreign Operators in Russia

The choice of the provider becomes the first step on the way to communication through IP-telephony. From the choice made will depend on the cost of calls, so pick up a serving company, pondering the pros and cons. The largest representatives of IP-telephony in our country are Sipnet and Comtube.

Sipnet is one of the first foreign companies to formalize their representation in Russia. Its services are ideal for making calls within the network, that is, for communicating with intra-city numbers - calls are completely free. For other areas, the tariffs for IP-telephony are the following:

• International calls - from 1.5 to 6 rubles per minute;
• Intercity communication - up to 1 rub / min.

Feedback about the operator is positive. Some are confused by the configuration of equipment, which is conducted in English. Comtube is one of the youngest and most promising providers. It provides its customers with two sets of services - "Start" and "Premium". The first set will provide customers with basic opportunities, and the second, among other things, a whole range of additional services. The cost of calls depends on the terms of the contract.

Give reliable feedback about this operator is impossible - too few users are familiar with it. Some are happy with the quality of communication and a fairly wide range of options in the "Start" package, others complain that all services are fixated on VIP-persons.

Domestic providers

Zebra Telecom is one of the most promising providers of Russia. Provides customers the opportunity to call both with an access card, and through a PC and an IP phone. Calls from "Zebra" to "Zebra" are absolutely free. Long-distance calls cost from 50 kop / min, international - from 1.5 rubles - it all depends on the subscriber's country.

Among the positive qualities is worth mentioning the Russian-language localization of software. According to customer feedback, this is one of the many advantages of a domestic provider. IP-telephony from "Rostelecom" will be a profitable solution for those who need constant communication with subscribers from other countries. Unlike other operators, which have a per minute call billing, with "Rostelecom" you pay for packets minutes once a month or as the traffic is consumed.

So, the cost of a package of 100 "international" minutes will be about 250-300 rubles. It does not matter which country you are calling. But it will be prudent for some clients to use the per-minute billing, especially if you talk less than 50 minutes a month with "abroad".

Necessary equipment

The set of equipment necessary for communication depends not on the chosen telecom operator, but on the preferred type of IP telephony. So, for "computer-to-computer" calls you need an access point to the Internet - fiber optic cable, USB-modem and equipment for comfortable communication: microphone, headphones, for video calls - web camera.

To call IP-telephony numbers from a landline phone, you need a SIP adapter and a computer or a router with a built-in IP gateway. If you are using a hardware IP phone, you will not need anything other than it.

Configuring communication via the adapter

When choosing an operator, ask what equipment is necessary to connect to a dedicated line, whether it is easy to buy and whether it is expensive. Some providers offer their customers already fully customized adapters to communicate with other subscribers. In this case, the whole setup process is to consistently perform several steps:

1. Use the instructions to connect the adapter to the network.
2. To the LINE1 slot, connect a landline telephone using a standard telephone cable.
3. Turn on the adapter by inserting the power adapter into the power outlet, wait for the download to finish (2-3 minutes).
4. Pick up the phone, wait for the dial tone.

As soon as you hear a tone on the other side of the line, you know that you figured out what IP-telephony is, and were able to properly connect the equipment. Now for communication there are no barriers.

Configuring some soft phones

Configuring IP phones has some special features. In particular, you will need to program your machine and enter information about yourself into its database. This is not as difficult as it seems.

Before proceeding with the configuration, make sure that you have an ID (ID), as well as a passphrase or PIN. Here is an example of the data that most phones require when connecting to a Sipnet operator. Other operators should have a similar procedure for setting up IP telephony. Customer feedback reports that coping with it is not difficult. In addition, in case of problems, you can contact the operator. To help you with customization is their responsibility.

Disadvantages of IP telephony

Now that you have learned the basic principles of connection, advantages and technology of Internet telephony, you are ready to learn about some of the disadvantages of this method of communication. Such information will help you determine whether you need IP telephony or not.

The first and one of the most significant drawbacks is the dependence on the power grid. If for communication you will use a PC or a landline phone, then "without light" you will not be able to reach you, nor will you make calls yourself. The exception is the hardware IP-phones.

When making a call for the first time, the interlocutor probably will not recognize you. It's all about the caller ID-the display of the called subscriber will determine the number of the gateway to which you are connected, not your own.

The latest and one of the most important shortcomings is the high price of equipment. Many customers are puzzled that such an IP-phone can cost up to 3-4 thousand rubles, and this without a monthly fee. However, installing it in your apartment, you can no longer think about the prices when communicating with subscribers from other countries.