History

• Early Internet speeds were not sufficient to enable interactive telephone conversations to be carried via the Internet. The H.323 Protocol, published by the International Telecommunication Union in 1996, created standards for transmission over Local Area Networks. With the creation of broadband, these standards were adapted for Internet use.
  
  

Equipment

• The basic equipment needed to perform a VoIP call is a computer, an Internet connection, VoIP software, a microphone and a speaker. More sophisticated systems offered commercially include telephone handsets.
  
  

Service Providers

• There are a large number of VoIP services available to the public. MSN Messenger and Yahoo! Messenger both offer speech options classified as VoIP. Skype offers a range of services from a messenger-style social networking system to a fully integrated handset version. Vonage is one of many successful commercial companies offering services to domestic and business customers.