Since phone system technology is associated with VoIP, we’ve compiled a list of commonly used terms you may come across when choosing a VoIP phone system for your office. It will be easier for you to understand how VoIP works if you can understand the terms used to describe it.
Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) – A high-speed internet connection that uses copper wire to transmit data between ADSL modems over phone lines. This type of connection differs from DSL connections because it has a faster download speed than upload speed.
Analog (analogue) – This is considered to be a traditional phone system. Analog systems work by converting sounds or video signals into electrical vibrations so they can be reproduced or transmitted.
Analogue Telephone Adapter (ATA) – An adaptor that converts your VoIP signal into a standard telephone signal, which allows you to use VoIP with your existing, traditional telephone handset.
Bandwidth – Measured in bits per second, bandwidth is the length of time it takes a specific volume of data to be sent from one computer to another computer with a certain connection. The higher the bandwidth, the quicker the data can be accessed.
Broadband – This is a general term for any Internet connection that can transmit or receive data at a rate of 100 kbps of higher.
Data Packet – Blocks of digital data that data is transmitted in over the Internet.
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) – A type of broadband internet connection that bypasses circuit-switching, making it faster than dial-up connections. With this connection, data is transmitted through the copper wire of the phone system.
Ethernet – A digital networking system, involving packet switching, which routes a request to the correct destination in a network. Ethernet is used in the majority of computer networks.
Internet Protocol Address (IP Address) – The address of a computer that is connected to the
Internet.
Internet Service Provider (ISP) – Company that provides Internet service, which allows computer to connect to the Internet.
Packets – When you send a message over the Internet, it is broken up into units containing data,
called packets, which are routed from their origin to their destination.
Public Switched Telephone
Network (PSTN) – Also known as a ‘landline network’, they are phone systems that uses copper wire to carry analog voice data.
Router – Connects computers n an Ethernet network.
Softphone – A VoIP service that is software based, which means you can you’re your personal computer or laptop as a phone.
