ATA (Analog Telephone Adapter)
A device that connects a traditional analog telephone to a digital VoIP network.
Bandwidth
The data capacity of a network connection, usually measured in kilobits per second (Kbps) or megabits per second (Mbps). VoIP requires sufficient bandwidth for quality calls.
BYOD (Bring Your Own Device)
A VoIP model allowing users to connect their own hardware (phones, softphones) rather than using provider-issued devices.
Codec (Coder/Decoder)
A program or device used to compress and decompress digital audio data. Common codecs include G.711, G.729, and Opus.
DID (Direct Inward Dialing)
A service that allows external callers to reach an internal extension directly without going through a receptionist or auto-attendant.
This term is also used to refer to the phone number.
DTMF (Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency)
The system used by touch-tone phones to signal the numbers dialed using audio tones
E911 (Enhanced 911)
A VoIP service that automatically provides the caller’s location to emergency responders.
Firewall
A network security system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic. Firewalls can affect VoIP performance if not properly configured.
IP (Internet Protocol)
The set of rules governing the format of data sent over the internet or local network.
ISP (Internet Service Provider)
A company that provides internet access, which is essential for VoIP services to function
Jitter
Variation in packet arrival times, which can affect the quality of VoIP calls.
Latency
The delay between the moment a voice packet is sent and when it is received. High latency can cause noticeable lag.
MOS (Mean Opinion Score)
MoS is a numerical measure of the perceived quality of voice calls, ranging from 1 (bad) to 5 (excellent). It is commonly used to evaluate the performance and user experience of VoIP systems.
Packet Loss
Occurs when voice data packets fail to reach their destination. Can cause choppy or dropped calls.
PoE (Power over Ethernet)
A technology that allows Ethernet cables to carry electrical power to VoIP phones, eliminating the need for separate power supplies.
QoS (Quality of Service)
Network mechanisms used to prioritize voice traffic and ensure high-quality VoIP communication.
RTP (Real-time Transport Protocol)
A protocol used to deliver audio and video over IP networks. Fundamental to VoIP communication.
SIP (Session Initiation Protocol)
A signaling protocol used to initiate, maintain, and terminate real-time sessions in VoIP, such as voice and video calls.
Softphone
Software that simulates a telephone interface on a computer or mobile device, allowing VoIP calls via internet.
VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)
A technology that allows voice communication over the internet instead of traditional phone lines.
VPN (Virtual Private Network)
A secure, encrypted connection over the internet that can be used to safely connect remote users to a VoIP system.
WebRTC (Web Real-Time Communication)
An open-source project that enables real-time communication directly through web browsers, without plugins.
Wi-Fi Calling
A VoIP feature that allows phone calls over a wireless internet connection rather than a mobile network.
UCaaS (Unified Communications as a Service)
A cloud-based delivery model for communication tools like VoIP, messaging, video conferencing, and collaboration.
