Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) Phones are referred to as just Broad band Phones. The main function of a Broad Band phone using VOIP is to convert voice data (analog) into digital data for transmission over the Internet. They are connected to the high speed internet through computers to enable voice communication. By this innovation VOIP Broad Band Phones have turned the internet into a carrier for free phone calls, by going around the normal phone companies.

VOIP Broad Band phones are a product of revolutionary technology which can change the entire way people speak to each other around the world. There are a few VOIP service providers who are growing by the day now, and major phone companies are busy setting up shop in various markets around the world with different calling plans with free VOIP Broad Band phones bundled in. FCC and other regulatory bodies all over the world are eagerly busy investigating and predicting the ramifications and future risks in usage of VOIP Broad Band phones and their prevention.

We will look into the basic technology of VOIP Broad Band phones working and its potential in replacing the traditional phone systems.

The most intriguing feature of VOIP Broad Band phones is that they look just like their predecessors with cradle, buttons and handsets. A normal telephone is connected to wall socket using a RJ-11 connector, whereas VOIP Broad Band phones are connected to your computer or router using a RJ-45 connector. All VOIP Broad Band phones come with preloaded software to handle any IP calls. Technology is already moving towards Wi-Fi VOIP Broad Band phones which can be used to make calls from any Wi-Fi hotspot.

In addition to usage of VOIP Broad Band phones, VOIP can also use ATA sets i.e. simple telephone like boxes that connect to your computer and convert your analog voice data into digital signals. VOIP also connects computer to computer calls where you do not need any extra hardware apart from a standard computer system with headphone and internet connection. Except for what you pay for your internet connection, there is no extra cost involved in both these options. VOIP Broad Band phones are dedicated instruments used only for making calls over VOIP.

If you want to have a go at VOIP Broad Band phones features, you can sample the free versions on the internet to check out connectivity and sound quality. One place I can suggest is the latest version of Yahoo Messenger Version 7.0 which is Voice enabled. You can make computer to computer calls using Yahoo Messenger. It is very easy to implement, just try it out. One other place you could take a look at is www.skype.com. VOIP Broad Band phones are certainly here to stay despite the internet sops and other devices available.

If you are a long distance caller you could be involuntarily making VOIP calls without using a VOIP Broad Band phone and at normal cost. Most phone companies around the world are trying to reduce their bandwidth by routing a few thousand calls through circuit switches onto an IP gateway. On the receiving end, they just reverse the process, somewhat similar to multiplexing.

Over time all of the current phone technology involving circuit switched networks will be replaced by packet switching technology. VOIP technology is efficient on financial and infrastructure needs, it costs less and takes lesser infrastructure and is more efficient. VOIP Broad Band phones have made their way into most corporate houses; it is only a matter of time before they barge into our homes.

More than 5 million households will be using VOIP Broad Band phones by the end of 2006 says the Forrester Research Group. One cannot escape the VOIP Broad Band phones as a means of communication.

VOIP Broad Band phones score on the basis of cost and flexibility. It can be said that they are free to use, unless you use your broadband connection only for your VOIP Broad Band phones. You can virtually call from anywhere in the world where u can access a broadband internet connection. You can carry your VOIP Broad Band phones anywhere to use your laptop to make PC to PC calls.

VOIP companies are offering rate plans similar to cellular phones for customers who want only VOIP Broad Band phones. They vary anywhere from $30 to $80 per month. They are also offering a lot of freebies including free VOIP Broad Band phones to go with them which make these rates further economical.