VoIP Glossary

VoIPninjas | Glossary
Commonly Used Terms in VoIP

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  • VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)
    A technology that allows voice and multimedia communications to be transmitted over the internet using IP (Internet Protocol) networks.
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  • IP (Internet Protocol)
    A set of rules that govern how data packets are transmitted over the internet.
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  • SIP (Session Initiation Protocol)
    A signaling protocol used for establishing, modifying, and terminating VoIP communication sessions.
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  • RTP (Real-Time Transport Protocol)
    A protocol used for the real-time transmission of audio and video data over IP networks.
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  • PBX (Private Branch Exchange)
    A private telephone network used within an organization to manage internal and external calls.
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  • Hosted PBX
    A cloud-based PBX service where the PBX infrastructure is hosted and maintained by a third-party provider.
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  • SIP Trunking
    A method of using SIP to connect an organization's PBX to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) via the internet.
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  • ATA (Analog Telephone Adapter):
    A device that converts analog telephone signals to digital to enable VoIP calls with traditional telephones.
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  • Softphone
    A software application that allows users to make phone calls over the internet using a computer or mobile device.
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  • Codec (Coder-Decoder):
    A software or hardware algorithm used to compress and decompress audio and video data for efficient transmission.
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  • QoS (Quality of Service)
    Techniques used to prioritize and manage network traffic to ensure reliable and high-quality VoIP calls.
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  • Latency
    The delay between sending data and receiving a response, which can impact real-time communication quality.
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  • Jitter
    Variability in packet arrival times, leading to audio distortions in VoIP calls.
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  • Bandwidth
    The maximum data transfer rate of a network, influencing the number of simultaneous VoIP calls that can be supported.
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  • VoIP Gateway
    A device that converts voice traffic between the PSTN and IP networks.
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  • VoIP Phone
    An IP-based phone designed specifically for VoIP calls.
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  • E999 (Enhanced 999)
    A service that automatically provides emergency responders with a caller's location information during VoIP emergency calls.
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  • Voicemail to Email
    A feature that sends voicemail messages to the user's email inbox for easy access.
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  • Virtual Number
    A phone number that is not tied to a specific physical line, allowing users to receive calls on multiple devices.
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  • WebRTC (Web Real-Time Communication)
    A technology that enables real-time communication directly through web browsers without the need for additional plugins or software.
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  • DTMF (Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency)
    The tone system used for transmitting digits during phone calls, often for interactive menu systems.
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  • Auto Attendant:
    An automated voice menu system that directs incoming calls to the appropriate extensions or departments.
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  • Call Queue:
    A waiting line for incoming calls, often used in customer support or call center settings.
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  • Unified Communications
    The integration of various communication tools, such as voice, video, messaging, and collaboration, into a single platform.
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  • BYOD (Bring Your Own Device)
    A policy that allows employees to use their personal devices for work-related communications, including VoIP calls.
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