How Do Voip Phones Connect To Regular Pstn Phones?
You may already be aware of the technology behind VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)
phones that make use of your internet connection rather than a landline, but for the VoIP systems to become feasible they naturally need the ability to connect with a PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) phone at the other end. How then does this work?
Surprisingly, the answer is not that complicated. Both internet devices and landline telephones are located using an IP address or telephone number. When you phone a VoIP line from a regular telephone and vice versa the call is handed over to the VoIP network or PSTN network. This is achieved by converting the IP address of your PC or phone into a phone number, which is then provided to the PSTN network. This is very similar to the way in which web addresses and email addresses are mapped to different IP addresses on the internet.
This technology means that you can not only make calls from a VoIP phone to a regular landline phone but can also use your desktop PC or laptop to talk to friends and family over their PSTN phone. This is achieved using software like SypeIn and SkypeOut, which enables the two networks to be connected. If you want to be able to use your regular phone to make internet calls then you can purchase an ATA (Analogue Telephone Adaptor). This device will convert your voice into digital data that can then be transmitted over your internet connection. An ATA can also be used with your computer and is often provided with a VoIP package.
VoIP does not always have to use an internet connection either. As long as there is an IP (Internet Protocol) enabled network that can identify the address of different devices then you can still make a call to a person using the same network. This would be possible on a Local Area Network (LAN). For LAN or internet communications you will need a good bandwidth of around 100 kbps.
VoIP and PSTN calls are traced using a phone number or IP address that is converted into a dialled number. If you decide to make the transition from a PSTN service to VoIP line then it is possible to keep your existing phone number, although VoIP providers are not obliged to do so and may often charge a fee. You will also need to ensure that you are not already disconnected from your phone company and that the new address and contact details will be the same.