What are VoIP phones?

VoIP phones are telephones which connect to VoIP networks instead of to the PSTN.

• VoIP phones with Ethernet connections
• VoIP phones with Wi-Fi / 802.11 connections
• VoIP phones with dialup modem connections
• Software VoIP phones

VoIP phones with Ethernet connections

A VoIP phone with an Ethernet connection is the easiest type of VoIP telephone to use. Instead of a standard telephone RJ-11 connector to plug into the PSTN, these phones have RJ-45 connectors to plug into Ethernet networks.

The Ethernet connection is used to connect these VoIP phones to the VoIP server or VoIP gateway.

VoIP phones with Wi-Fi / 802.11 connections

Wi-Fi (802.11) VoIP phones provide the same service as Ethernet VoIP phones, but they do it wirelessly.

A Wi-Fi enabled VoIP phone connects to a VoIP server or VoIP gateway through your existing Wi-Fi network.

VoIP phones with dialup modem connections

VoIP phones with dialup modem connections are very similar to VoIP phones with Ethernet connections.

Instead of connecting to an Ethernet network, these VoIP phones dialup over the PSTN to VoIP service providers.

Using a VoIP phone with a dialup modem connection requires a regular analog POTS telephone line, but enables long-distance and international calls to be made over VoIP networks, usually at a significant savings.

Software VoIP phones

Software VoIP phones turn your PC into a VoIP telephone.

Software VoIP telephones are less expensive than the choices listed above, if you already own a personal computer.

Hardware for Software VoIP phones

Software VoIP phones use the PC's sound card, speakers or earphones, and microphone. This hardware works to emulate a telephone, even though this is not what the PC was designed for.

For better ease-of-use, many companies manufacture USB VoIP phones. These devices give your PC a normal-looking telephone handset or headset.