Send Data Over VoIP Fax Services Online

VoIP, or Voice over Internet Protocol, is a revolutionary way to communicate over the World Wide Web. VoIP service allows phone customers to conduct their calls over the Internet instead of a traditional phone line. Typically, these services are less expensive than regular phone service and require only a high-speed Internet connection to use.

Now, faxes can also be sent over the Internet with VoIP services just as easily. VoIP fax services allow web users to send digital pictures, computer files, and scanned documents to any person or business with a fax machine or computer capable of receiving fax transmissions. In order to do so, the fax information has to be compressed into digital packages using a T.38 fax protocol signal. This is the gateway that allows fax machines to operate over VoIP lines effectively. This line designation is the industry standard for packaging data over Internet networks in real time.

Compare Your Options

So what's the difference between VoIP faxing and telephone faxing? Standard faxing rules still apply with VoIP services, meaning you have to use a fax number to send a message to a recipient, and your VoIP service will use an 800-number as your outgoing line. The benefit of Internet faxing, though, is that you don't need to own (or even have access to) a physical fax machine or have a hard phone line to complete your tasks.

Things to Consider

In order to use VoIP fax services, you must have VoIP phone service. When making this change, consider that some VoIP phone plans don't have access to emergency services such as 911. Also, keep in mind that during a power outage, you will likely lose the ability to send/receive faxes if your cable or DSL modem works on an A/C adapter. To prevent interruptions in your service and/or faxing capability, you can also invest in an UPS, or uninterruptible power supply. There are also modems available that run on lithium ion batteries when the A/C power supply is disrupted.

In order to purchase VoIP faxing services, there are many websites to choose from, including www.faxback.com. On this website, for example, you can fax an unlimited number of documents for just a few dollars a month. For business subscribers, you can automate all your incoming and outgoing fax transmissions from a single computer or link your entire system to the same account. Every element is completely compatible with existing VoIP systems, as well, so your business can save money and streamline your communications at the same time.