Frequently Asked Questions
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What is VOIP?
VOIP allows users to make telephone calls over the internet to other VOIP users free of charge and to landlines and cell phones for a minimal fee. Since calls are made over the internet, you no longer need a physical phone line. VOIP stands for Voice Over Internet Protocal.
What is SIP?
SIP is a standard for VOIP. With SIP, you use a SIP softphone to make phone calls from your computer. A SIP softphone is simply a piece of SIP client software with a telephone-like user interface. Each line started by Voicent software acts as a SIP softphone. Once you setup and configure Voicent for SIP, you can use any Voicent program as if you are using regular telephone lines.
SIP Termination
A VOIP service feature that allows you to call both local, long distance and international phones and cell phones directly from a SIP softphone (thus from Voicent).
DID Number
Stands for Direct Inward Dialing Number. The number looks exactly the same as a regular phone number and it allows anyone to call your SIP softphone from a landline or mobile phone.
the 411 on 911 for voip
A Basic Explanation
Because of the portability of VoIP numbers, it's not easy to tell where a VoIP call is being generated.
For example, a VoIP user with a 212 Area Code in his phone number (New York City) can make calls from anywhere in the world, not just New York. But what happens if the user makes a 911 call on his phone while he is physically located in, let's say, Houston, Texas?
Obviously, this complicates the ability to quickly locate and get emergency services to our caller.
Here are some important notes and tips about emergency calling on VoIP phones:
Many VoIP service providers, including Skype, do not provide 911 emergency call access.
Skype users should maintain a landline or mobile phone for emergency services.
Phonebooks for VoIP phone systems should prominently include detailed listings for Fire, Police, Ambulance and other emergency services. Remember also that VoIP phone systems may not work during a power failure. Consider providing a backup power supply to your system.
Recent Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rulings require VoIP phone services to provide 911 service for VoIP users.
Essentially, the FCC is requiring VoIP phone services to bridge the gap between VoIP phones and 911 emergency services by keeping track of the location in which VoIP phones are used, then automatically or manually transferring 911 calls to appropriate emergency response centers.
VoIP users make this service possible by logging in to their service account and identifying the location of their phone whenever it changes.
As a general rule (and this applies to all 911 emergency calls, not just those placed on VoIP phones), you should always be ready to give 911 operators your exact location when placing an emergency call. It's also important to never hang-up on a 911 operator, as the longer you stay on the line, the better chance the operator has of pinpointing your location.