If you are using a VoIP phone then you can make a call in any of these three ways.

ATA Gateway

ATA stands for analogue telephone adaptor. As the name suggests, you can install a device on your existing telephone and use your regular phone for VoI5A8P purposes, even when it is not digital. The handset of your analog phone connects to the ATA, which in turn connects to your computer. Your computer needs to be connected to the internet in order for VoIP to work. The function of the ATA device is to convert the analogue signals of your regular phone into digital signals for use over the internet.

IP Phone

These are special handsets that look like regular phones but they have an Ethernet jack (RJ 45) instead of the regular telephone jack (RS 11). IP Phones are already configured with the required software to work using VoIP. These phones connect to the same device (router) that your computer connects to in order to hook up with the internet.

Peer to Peer (or computer to computer)

This is the easiest way of doing VoIP because it requires neither software nor hardware installation (as long as you have speakers/headphones and a microphone, and your computer is connected to the Internet). There are special services provided by several ISPs that include specific VoIP plans. While it is possible to use VoIP over your existing internet connection, if you truly want good quality and no signal loss with reliable voice connectivity then you must go for a separate VoIP plan instead of riding the back of your present connection. This is because VoIP needs a lot more dedicated bandwidth than is required for general web browsing.

Since all that is ne594eded to make VoIP work is a broadband internet connection, one convenience is that you can carry your IP phone or ATA device with you when you travel so that you never have to pay exorbitant long distance calling charges.

If you have a laptop that you carry with you then you can install a "softphone" in your laptop for VoIP access. A softphone is basically a software that behaves like a phone through a laptop or desktop computer. Some of these softwares even resemble phones in their interface.

VoIP offers significant savings for people and businesses that do a lot of business over their phone lines. The greater your phone bill right now, the more the savings through VoIP.