Resonance Networks - What makes a good VoIP Handset?

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What makes a good VoIP Handset?

There are so many VoIP handsets on the market, what makes a good VoIP handset?

Many things make a VoIP handset either good or bad, the first thing you should look for are right ups in non biased forums. VoIP forums are probably the best place to start a search for a good VoIP handset as the end users that are the most well versed in the world of VoIP are on there chatting to each other about what is and what is not good VoIP hardware.

The protocols that a VoIP handset uses are also a good place to look. Does it use SIP? SIP is VoIP protocol that stands for session initiation protocol. It is just a standardised way in which VoIP hardware talks to other bits of VoIP hardware and you need to make sure the VoIP handset that you buy uses it.

Many good VoIP handsets will also use codecs to compress the voice data that the phone is putting out when you speak into it. You will need to make sure that your VoIP provider supports the codec that comes pre-installed on your VoIP handset. One of the most common VoIP handset codecs is G.729. This is the most bandwidth friendly of the commpression codecs and is the one your VoIP provider will want you to be using on your VoIP handset.

Many VoIP handsets are made in other countries and most individual nations have different laws and standards when it comes to telephony equipment so it is best ot get your VoIP handset from the country you are in if at all possible as you do not want any nasty surprises as far as using not approved VoIP/telephony hardware is concerned. This should be easy to check online if the VoIP handset you are thinking of buying is pre approved or not.

There are several VoIP handset manufacturers that have a golden name amongst VoIP enthusiasts and it is highly recommended that you go with purchasing a VoIP handset made by one of these companies as they have great suport facilities.

A couple of these are Linksys and Snom. Both make a first class VoIP handset and in paying not a lot more than for one of the cheaper models of VoIP handset you will be assured satisfaction.

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