VoIP explained
VoIP uses your dial-up or broadband connection to make free calls over the internet. The acronym VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol and is the technology for transmitting voice conversations via the internet – it's what's under Skype's bonnet if you will.
VoIP has been called a few different things in its colourful past such as internet telephony, peer-to-peer, P2P, IP telephony, broadband telephony, voice over broadband and many, many other names. At Skype we much prefer using the simpler term free calls over the internet than the geeky VoIP.
VoIP solutions are available both for individual and business users - both offer great ways to save money compared to the call charges of many phone companies and calling cards. Skype also offers a business VoIP solution called oddly enough Skype for Business.
The really cool thing about VoIP is that it allows you to make free Skype-to-Skype calls – and unlike some other VoIP providers Skype has no monthly fee to make free calls. Yep, if both you and your friend have downloaded Skype you can call each other for free and talk for as long as you like. The same principle will work for business VoIP users, so not only could colleagues talk to each for nothing; they can also receive calls like any other phone with an online number.
In addition to VOIP technology Skype also uses something called peer-to-peer or P2P technology. Want to know more? Visit our P2P telephony explained page.
