Editing Voice over IP (section)

===Consumer market===
[[File:Voip-typical.gif|thumb|Example of residential network including VoIP]]
Mass-market VoIP services use existing [[broadband Internet access]], by which subscribers place and receive telephone calls in much the same manner as they would via the PSTN. Full-service VoIP phone companies provide inbound and outbound service with [[direct inbound dialing]]. Many offer unlimited domestic calling and sometimes international calls for a flat monthly subscription fee. Phone calls between subscribers of the same provider are usually free when flat-fee service is not available.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-11-18 |title=Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) |url=https://www.fcc.gov/general/voice-over-internet-protocol-voip |access-date=2022-07-19 |website=Federal Communications Commission |language=en}}</ref>

A VoIP phone is necessary to connect to a VoIP service provider. This can be implemented in several ways:
* Dedicated VoIP phones connect directly to the IP network using technologies such as wired [[Ethernet]] or [[Wi-Fi]]. These are typically designed in the style of traditional digital business telephones.
* An [[analog telephone adapter]] connects to the network and implements the electronics and firmware to operate a conventional analog telephone attached through a modular phone jack. Some residential Internet gateways and [[cable modem]]s have this function built in.
* [[Softphone]] application software installed on a networked computer that is equipped with a microphone and speaker, or headset. The application typically presents a dial pad and display field to the user to operate the application by mouse clicks or keyboard input.<ref>{{Cite web |title=VoIP (v77) |url=https://mendocinobroadband.org/wp-content/uploads/VoIP-v77.pdf}}</ref>