How It Works

How does VoIP work?

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) in a home / SOHO environment usually involves a small piece of additional computer hardware called an analogue telephone adapter (ATA). The ATA converts the voice signal from your standard corded or cordless phone into data packets for transmission over the Public Internet.

How does an ATA work?

An ATA converts the voice signal from a typical home phone into packets of data (like email) and sends these packets via your broadband connection to Mytel's voice servers. When the voice packets arrive at Mytel's servers the call is either converted back into a regular PSTN call and sent out via our gateway to PSTN or cellular networks or is passed on to another VoIP device if you're calling “on network”.

Is there a catch?

A VoIP call uses up your download limit so be very careful if you're not on an unlimited plan.

Why is a VoIP call cheaper than a traditional call?

By using the internet to carry your call VoIP technology bypasses the traditional public switched telephone network (PSTN) in whole or part. When a call is made from a VoIP handset the call is carried from the customer's handset to the VoIP carrier without paying to use PSTN infrastructure. This means that the first leg of a VoIP call avoids the charges of the traditional telephone company, the owner of the legacy PSTN network.

It is possible to avoid the use of the PSTN network altogether by when a call is placed from a VoIP handset to another VoIP handset. These calls are called 'on-network' calls and are free of charge other than data download charges that your ISP may impose if any. As more people use VoIP rather than traditional telephony the number of 'paid' calls we all make will reduce. This is one of the reasons why you're being introduced to VoIP. It will mean that it's cheaper for your friends and family to keep in contact with you.

So, if it's so good, why doesn't everyone use VoIP?

These products have only been in the Australian mass market at affordable prices since around December 2004, so it's only relatively recently that the product quality and prices have hit the right point. We should expect to see a lot more broadband users running these units, and other types, in the near future. If USA is any guide we'll see a load more of these in offices and homes over the next few years. If you like the product you should let your less tech savvy friends know.

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