Do the people on the other end of the call have to have the Internet in order for me to be able to use VoIP?

With the three different ways available to call through the VoIP service, in most cases the person you are calling does not need to have the Internet.

Traditionally, the use of VoIP or voice over Internet protocol communication required that both the person calling and the person receiving the call have a computer, a broadband Internet connection, and the same software running.

With the hybrid of VoIP, there are several options of communication packages. These packages do not require the other person to have an Internet connection. However, it is required that you, the person who is using the VoIP communication to have a broadband Internet connection.

Here are the different types of VoIP communication technologies.

Computer to computer- this is where both parties are on the computer, on the Internet and using the same software to communicate with a headset and soft phone, or microphone.

Phone to computer- or vice versa, this does require the person on the computer to have the Internet, software, and a computer with microphone and headset.

Phone to phone- this is where a regular analog phone is connected through an adapter to the broadband Internet or a phone that is specifically designed to use a VoIP connection through the Internet to make phone calls.

A broadband or VoIP phone is like a regular phone except it uses high-speed internet to make calls at a fraction of the cost or for free.

This hybrid VoIP of phone-to-phone connection and computer to phone connection does not need the receiving person to have the Internet. However, the first steps in the progress of Internet phone calling did require that both of the communicators have the Internet.

The services that still need the Internet is those like; Skype, Yahoo voice, MSN voice Ventrillo etc.

This is how the process of VoIP works and how it can take the digital call and turn it into a call that can be heard on a regular phone.

Using an ATA, adaptor or analog telephone adaptor the connection is made from a standard phone to your computer, or your broadband Internet connection. The ATA is an analog to digital converter.

This converter takes the voice signal and turns that into a digital data signal that is then compressed and sent along the Internet highway. Then when this data gets to the location it has headed for, it is uncompressed and then turned back into a voice signal. All of this is done with no sound variation and is as clear and reliable as the traditional telephone system.

The providers like: AT&T, Vonage, Sun Rocket, Via Talk, VoIP Your Life, Cordia and others usually will provide this adaptor at no cost when you get their service. Simply this adapter is plugged in where the cable from your phone would go. There may be other software or hardware, that your provider may use, but they all do just about the same thing.

In comparing the different options and prices that are involved with these options, the main thing is that with the new reliability and quality of VoIP services, they are a fantastic choice to making phone calls.

This includes regular calling, long distance calling and international calling. Even if the people you call, do not have VoIP or the Internet that will not stop you from saving money when you call them.