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INTERNET PHONES: CNET EDITORS' GUIDE TO VOIP
By Rafe Needleman
(May 5, 2004; updated March 14, 2006)
Your next telephone may not actually be a telephone. It may look and work like a phone, but it will connect to the Internet, not a telephone line, and it will cost less than today's phones. You'll also get better features and ease of use. Over the next few years, more products using Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP, will be coming online. But there's no need to wait--today's batch of Internet phone products have useful features and can save you money, starting now.
Latest VOIP news and commentary
 Skype targets small businesses
Company introduces a new Web site, hardware and enhanced features to address the small-business market.
News.com, March 9, 2006
Net phone providers describe E911 obstacles
VoIP providers say they're offering enhanced 911 as quickly as possible--but it's no small task.
News.com, March 7, 2006
When Intel calls, Skype listens
Making a conference call from a dual-core PC? You'll be able to dial in more people if it doesn't have AMD chips, Intel and Skype say.
News.com, February 8, 2006
Service lets Skype users chat on cell phones
With Eqo, Skype users can connect over mobile phones--but unlike traditional calling, the service uses buddy lists.
News.com, February 8, 2006
Bundled VoIP overtaking Skype?
Yes, a report says. Companies offering Net telephony as part of a broadband package now account for more call minutes.
News.com, February 1, 2006
Google calls upon VoIP
VoiceOne offers Internet telephony services for an unnamed Google service, possibly related to Google Talk.
News.com, January 31, 2006
Earthlink offers new VoIP service
Company serves up Internet telephony service designed to look and feel like traditional phone service.
News.com, January 30, 2006
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INTERNET PHONE GLOSSARY
CALEA - A 1994 act that requires telecommunications services to provide wiretapping access.
E911 (Enhanced 911) - Technology allowing 911 calls from cellular phones to be routed to the geographically correct emergency station.
PSTN - The network of wires, signals, and switches that lets one telephone connect to another anywhere in the world.
SIP - Voice communication designed from the ground up for functioning over IP networks.
See expanded glossary
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