What is a VoIP analog adapter?
A VoIP analog adapter or analog telephone adapter (ATA) is a piece of VoIP equipment that allows individuals using a VoIP service to leverage their existing telephone to send and receive calls. A Voice over IP adapter connects to a regular telephone through an FXS (Foreign eXchange Station) port and to your cable modem or switch via an Ethernet port. Some VoIP adapters also have a FXO (Foreign eXchange Office) port that allows you to connect a POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) line as well as a second Ethernet port.
How do Voice over IP adapters work?
The basic purpose of these analog telephone adapters is convert analog voice streams into digital voice packets for transport across your network and the Internet. VoIP adapters also perform the reverse function, decompressing digital voice packets into analog voice streams. Each adapters uses a combination of specialized voice codecs and protocols to accomplish this. The specific technology that is utilized is dependent upon the VoIP adapter used and your voice service provider.
Why use a VoIP adapter?
There are many reasons to use VoIP analog adapters with the primary one being that they are simple. ATA’s are the simplest and easiest type of VoIP equipment, so they require the least amount of maintenance and support. In addition to simplicity and ease of use, they are also very economically. Where as a VoIP phone might cost anywhere from $150 to $300 USD, most adapters cost under $70 USD (and many are free with VoIP service activation).
Where can you purchase a VoIP adapter?
Getting your hands on a VoIP adapter is easy. The two most popular ways to purchase a one are through your service provider (during service activation) or through an equipment supplier (like VoIP Supply). If you opt to purchase your ATA through an equipment supplier, make sure it works with your desired VoIP service provider and that they allow customers to bring their own adapters.
What does an ‘Unlocked’ VoIP adapter mean?
An unlocked VoIP adapter is one where you can completely control the use of the adapter. Check with your VoIP service provider first before purchasing an unlocked adapter to see if they will allow you to use these devices.
If your VoIP service provider allows un-locked devices, they will commonly post the configuration values on their website or support pages.
Additional VoIP Adapter Resources
Looking for additional information on VoIP adapters? Try these resources:
- Types of VoIP Analog Adapters
- How to Select the Right VoIP Analog Adapter
- Linksys VoIP Adapters
- Grandstream VoIP Adapters
2 Comments
June 25, 2009 at 2:58 pm
[...] About VoIP Analog Adapters [...]
June 25, 2009 at 3:15 pm
[...] the right VoIP adapter (also known as an Analog Telephone Adapter or ATA) from the large variety of choices that currently [...]