How Voip Works Voip Converts The Voice Signal From Your Telephone ...
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Background
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a technology for communicating using “Internet protocol”
instead of traditional analog systems. Some Vo
IP services need only a regular phone connection,
while others allow you to make telephone calls using an Internet connection instead. Some VoIP
services may allow you only to call other people using the same service, but others may allow you to
call any telephone number - including local, long distance, wireless, and international numbers.
What Kind of Equipment Do I Need?
How VoIP Works
You may need an Internet connection, and,
VoIP converts the voice signal from your
for many types of VoIP calls, you need a
telephone into a digital signal that can travel
broadband Internet connection. For information
over the Internet. If you are calling a regular
on broadband Internet connections, visit
telephone number, the signal is then
www.fcc.gov/cgb/broadband.html.
converted back at the other end. Depending
on the type of VoIP service, you can make a
Depending on the VoIP service you purchase,
VoIP call from a computer, a special VoIP
you may need a computer, a special VoIP
phone, or a traditional phone with or without
telephone, or a regular telephone with an
an adapter. In addition, new wireless "hot
adapter. If you are calling a regular telephone
spots" in public locations such as airports,
number, the person you are calling does not
parks, and cafes allow you to connect to the
need any special equipment, just a telephone.
Internet, and may enable you to use VoIP
service wirelessly. If your VoIP service
How Do I Use My VoIP Service?
provider assigns you a regular telephone
number, then you can receive calls from
If you use a VoIP telephone or regular
regular telephones that don’t need special
telephone, you place and receive calls much like
equipment, and most likely you’ll be able to
you do with regular telephone service. If you
dial just as you always have.
use VoIP with your computer, a telephone icon
Here is one example of how VoIP service
usually appears on your computer screen.
works:
Clicking the icon allows you to dial numbers
from a pad, or dial a call by clicking on a
contact’s pre-programmed name and number.
You will then hear a ring just like any other call.
Computer-based VoIP services have a variety of
ways for notifying you that you have an incoming
call.
What Are Some Advantages of VoIP?
VoIP may offer features and services that are
not available with more traditional telephone
services. If you use VoIP, you can decide
whether to pay the cost of keeping your regular
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Federal Communications Commission
. Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau 445 12th St., SW
Washi
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ngton, DC 20554
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1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) T.TY: 1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322) . Fax: 1-866-418-0232
www. fcc.gov/cgb
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telephone service. You can also use your
Does the FCC Regulate VoIP?
computer and VoIP service at the same time. You
can also take some VoIP services with you when
The FCC has worked to create an environment
you travel and use them via an Internet
promoting competition and innovation to benefit
connection.
consumers and, where necessary, has acted to
ensure that VoIP providers comply with important
Are There Special Considerations for Using
public safety requirements and public policy goals.
VoIP?
For example, due to reports that some VoIP
If you’re considering replacing your traditional
subscribers were unable to access 911 emergency
telephone service with VoIP, be aware that:
services, in June 2005 the FCC imposed 911
obligations on providers of “interconnected” VoIP
•
Some VoIP service providers may have
services – VoIP services that allow users generally
limitations to their 911 service. For more
to make calls to and receive calls from the regular
information on VoIP and 911 services, visit the
telephone network. (You should know, however,
FCC’s VoIP 911 Web site at
that 911 calls using VoIP are handled differently
www.voip911.gov, or see the FCC’s
than 911 calls using your regular telephone service.
consumer advisory at
Please see the FCC’s consumer advisory on VoIP
www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/voip911.h
and 911 services at
tml.
www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/voip911.html
• Some VoIP services don’t work during power
for complete information on these differences.)
outages and the service provider may not offer
The FCC requires interconnected VoIP providers
backup power.
and telephone companies that obtain numbers for
• VoIP providers may or may not offer directory
them to comply with Local Number Portability (LNP)
assistance/white page listings.
rules. Beginning in late summer 2010, VoIP
providers, as well as wireless and wireline providers,
These factors may change with new
must shorten the porting period for “simple” ports
developments in VoIP technology. You should
from the current four days to one business day. The
always check with potential VoIP service providers
new deadline applies to all simple ports – including
to confirm any limitations to their service, including
“intermodal” ports such as wireline to wireless,
911 service.
wireless to wireline, wireline or wireless to VoIP, or
any other combination. Simple ports generally do
With VoIP, Is There a Difference Between
not involve more than one line or more complex
Making a Local Call and a Long Distance Call?
adjustments to telephone switching equipment.
Some VoIP providers do not charge for calls to
VoIP providers must also contribute to funds
other subscribers to the service. Some VoIP
established to share LNP and numbering
providers charge for a long distance call to a
administration costs among all telecommunications
number outside your calling area, similar to
providers benefiting from these services.
existing, traditional wireline telephone service.
Other VoIP providers permit you to call anywhere
For more information regarding the FCC’s LNP
requirements, see the FCC’s consumer fact sheet at
at a flat rate for a fixed number of minutes. Your
www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/numbport.html.
VoIP provider may permit you to select an area
code for your VoIP service that is different from
the area code in which you live. Calls within your
VoIP area code may not be billed as long distance
calls. People calling your VoIP area code from
another area code, however, may incur long
distance charges.
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Federal Communications Commission .
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau
445 12th St., SW
Washington, DC 20554
.
.
1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322)
T.TY: 1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322) . Fax: 1-866-418-0232
www. fcc.gov/cgb
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Does the FCC Regulate VoIP? (cont’d.)
Filing a Complaint with the FCC (cont’d.)
The FCC also limits interconnected VoIP
1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322) TTY; faxing
providers' use of customer proprietary network
1-866-418-0232; or writing to:
information (CPNI) such as your telephone calling
records, and requires interconnected VoIP
Federal Communications Commission
providers to protect it from disclosure. For more
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau
information on these limits and requirements, see
Consumer Inquiries and Complaints Division
the FCC’s consumer fact sheet at
445 12th Street, SW
www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/phoneabouty
Washington, D.C. 20554.
ou.html. The FCC also requires interconnected
VoIP providers to contribute to the Universal
What to Include in Your Complaint
Service Fund, which supports communications
services in high-cost areas and for income-eligible
The best way to provide all the information the
telephone subscribers.
FCC needs to process your complaint regarding
any of these issues is to complete fully the on-
Interconnected VoIP providers must comply
line complaint form. When you open the on-line
with the Commission's Telecommunications Relay
complaint form, you will be asked a series of
Services (TRS) requirements,
questions that will take you to the particular
including contributing to the TRS Fund used to
section of the form you need to complete. If you
support the provision of telecommunications
do not use the on-line complaint form, your
services to persons with speech or hearing
complaint, at a minimum should indicate:
disabilities, and offering 711 abbreviated dialing
for access to relay services. Interconnected VoIP
• your name, address, e-mail address, and
providers and equipment manufacturers also
phone number where you can be reached;
must ensure that, consistent with Section 255 of
the Communications Act, their services are
• the telephone and account numbers that are
available to and usable by individuals with
the subject of your complaint;
disabilities, if such access is readily achievable.
• the names and phone numbers of any
For more information about Section 255
requirements, see the FCC’s consumer fact sheet
companies involved in your complaint; and
at
www.fcc
• the details of your complaint and any
.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/section255.html.
additional relevant information.
Filing a Complaint with the FCC
If you have concerns about an interconnected
VoIP provider’s handling of your 911 calls or
For More Information
telephone calling records, making services
available to and usable by individuals with
For more information about VoIP, visit the
disabilities, or porting your telephone number, first
FCC’s VoIP We page at www.fcc.gov/voip/.
try to resolve the matter with the VoIP provider. If
For information about other
you can’t resolve the matter directly, you can file a
telecommunications issues, visit the FCC’s
complaint with the FCC. There is no charge for
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau
filing a complaint. You can file your complaint
Web site at www.fcc.gov/cgb, or contact the
using an on-line complaint form found at
FCC Consumer Center using the information
esupport.fcc.gov/complaints.htm. You can also
provided for filing a complaint.
file your complaint with the FCC’s Consumer
Center by e-mailing fccinfo@fcc.gov; calling
1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) voice or
.
.
.
Federal Communications Commission .
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau
445 12th St., SW
Washington, DC 20554
..
.
1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322)
T.TY: 1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322) Fax: 1-866-418-0232
www. fcc.gov/cgb
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For this or any other consumer publication in an accessible format (electronic ASCII
text, Braille, large print, or audio) please write or call us at the address or phone
number below, or send an e-mail to FCC504@fcc.gov.
To receive information on this and other FCC consumer topics through the
Commission's electronic subscriber service, visit
www.fcc.gov/cgb/contacts/.
This document is for consumer education purposes only and is not intended to affect
any proceedings or cases involving this subject matter or related issues.
9/21/09*
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Federal Communications Commission .
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau
445 12th St., SW
Washington, DC 20554
.
.
1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322)
T.TY: 1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322) . Fax: 1-866-418-0232
www. fcc.gov/cgb
Document Outline
