VoIP Service Providers - What Do They Do?
The role of a VoIP service provider is very similar to that of a traditional telephone company; they provide the technical infrastructure to allow you to make and receive phone calls.
Your call travels through your broadband connection to the VoIP provider's switches, then through the Internet to another VoIP phone or via the public switched telephone network (PSTN, or traditional system) to a normal landline.
Whichever provider you join, you will be provided with a phone number, the basic equipment to connect your phone to their systems (typically an analogue telephone adaptor - ATA - or a VoIP-ready Ethernet router - to allow you to connect your computer and telephone to your Internet connection) and all the software and leads to begin using VoIP.
And, of course, any good service provider will also offer you technical support and effective customer service to get you up and running. They will also provide services to manage your connections, for example configuring voicemail or call diversion, and manage your bill. Many VoIP services provide easy to use web interfaces where subscribers can manage their accounts.
It is possible to use VoIP without a service provider, but this is only really an option for large companies or computer enthusiasts who use VoIP only to connect to other computer users.
