Voice over IP has been making a name for itself in the consumer market — thanks in part to consumer-oriented mass marketing by companies like Vonage, AT&T, Verizon, and Time Warner. Cost savings is the motivating factor for this market, and the service is being promoted as regular phone service, only cheaper. A device called the ATA (Analog Telephone Adaptor) has played a big role in making this happen.

The ATA, also known as the voice gateway, is the simplest way for the residential consumer to connect to VoIP service. Think of this device as an analog-to-digital converter that connects your regular telephone to the network. The ATA, which looks just like your DSL or cable modem, has one or more RJ-11 phone jacks for your phone and/or fax, as well as an RJ-45 Ethernet jack which connects to the network. The ATA sits in between your phone and network, converting the digital packets from the Internet into analog signals for the phone, and vice versa in the opposite direction.

With an ATA, VoIP service resembles traditional phone service. After all, it uses the same phone. There’s a dial tone when you pick up the receiver, as well as the same familiar ring tones. The ATA is usually bundled with your VoIP service, so you don’t have to pay extra for the equipment. You can still use your regular telephone. The bundled ATA is designed for self-installation by non-technical users. It is usually pre-configured (at least for basic setups that don’t include multiple routers) and can be installed within minutes.

One downside for the bundled adaptors is that they will usually be locked to operate only with your original service provider. In some cases, you’re only “renting” the adaptor and are expected to return the device when you terminate service.

I’ve been using the RTP300 from Linksys/Cisco for six months (service from Vonage). It comes equipped with two phone lines — I use one for a wireless phone (with multiple handsets) and the other for a fax. The unit also includes a router and can support up to four PCs; it has easy-to-understand LEDs on the front panel for the status of the Internet connection, phone lines, and Ethernet ports. The RTP300 was easy to install, and I’ve experienced no problems with it.

A second option is to purchase an IP phone. These phones have the ATA built inside and can connect directly to your router via an RJ-45 Ethernet connector. Different models can support H.323 or SIP protocols (the SIP versions are generally considered the latest and greatest). Cisco (www.cisco.com) and Pingtel (www.pingtel.com) are two common manufacturers of IP phones.
IP phones are still pretty expensive -- expect to pay about $150 and know they don’t come bundled into service plans. As the technology matures, this price point will inevitably come down. For business users, the advanced features can be worth the price. While IP phones look just like any normal phone, they come equipped with many advanced IP telephony features.

See also:

• Fax
• IP Phones
• Service Providers
• Wireless

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