VoIP phone services utilize Internet cables, as opposed to analog wires.

VoIP, or voice over Internet protocol, represents the latest in telephone communications technology. According to NASA, a VoIP system uses a broadband Internet connection to transfer digitalized data between parties, as opposed to using a standard analog telephone line. Making the switch to a VoIP system can have several advantages, both at home and in the office.

Sound Quality

As the technology and communications resource TechEn Enterprises notes, the earliest VoIP systems, which came out in 1998, were often plagued with voice-quality issues. However, today’s VoIP systems offer sound quality that at least equals, and often surpasses, the sound quality of standard phone systems.

Less Wiring

With a VoIP system, your home’s or company’s phones can transmit and receive data using the same Internet cables you already have in place. This means no more messy bundles of wiring and lower installation costs in comparison to traditional phone systems, which require independent wiring.

Ease-of-Use

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the majority of VoIP systems—through the use of adapters—allow you to continue to use the traditional telephone handsets you are used to. This means there is no learning curve if you decide to make the switch from traditional to VoIP: Simply dial as usual.

Long Distance

Long-distance calling can be a financial burden when using a traditional phone system. Fortunately, VoIP systems offer some advantage. As the FTC mentions, many VoIP service providers offer unlimited long-distance calling plans at fixed rates. In addition, if you have a family member or friend in a distant city whom you constantly call, with VoIP you can easily register for a phone number in that city. This transforms your long-distance calls to that city into “local” calls.

Working With Computers

Unlike their traditional counterparts, VoIP phone systems are able to interact with computer systems and networks, allowing fro a whole range of beneficial features. These include integrated e-mail and voicemail so that you can check your e-mail on the phone or listen to your voicemail on the computer, and portability, so that you can bring your entire system with you on a trip and receive calls on a “home phone” regardless of where you are in the world. However, as the FTC notes, this latter feature requires that you install additional software.

Maintenance

According to TechEn Enterprises, the skills that a worker needs for maintaining a VoIP phone system are virtually the same as those a worker needs for maintaining a computer network. From a business perspective, this means offices do not have to hire separate specialists for maintaining phone and computer systems independently: One worker can do both jobs.

Source:    http://www.ehow.com/list_7177777_advantages-moving-traditional-phones-voip_.html