Telephone Adapters Key Terms

Learn the basic key terms that pertain to telephone adapters

Telephone adapters are used to convert analog to digital signals, convert telephone use to Internet calling use and to make telephone connections work overseas.

Whether you are looking to save money and use an Internet telephone service, or you are traveling out of the country and worrying about whether or not your laptop will connect in a foreign country, an adapter can come in awfully handy. Learn the basic adapter terms so you won't be left without service when traveling or setting up your Internet phone service.

 

Analog and digital

Telephone signals can be transmitted through analog or digital capabilities. The analog signal is transmitted through radio frequency and relies on a continuous signal to break it into electronic pulses. Digital, the newer of the two signals, breaks the signal into a binary format that is read by the transmitting device like the telephone or television.
Try: Hello Direct defines both the analog and digital signals and explains how both work with telephone operations.

Voice over Internet Protocol

Voice over Internet Protocl, or VoIP, is the technology used to convert voice signal to a digital signal capablie of traveling over the Internet. The VoIP is used as a telephone to computer Internet adapter.
Try: Voice over Internet Protocol is explained in detail at the Federal Communications Commission website.

On-hold adapter

The on-hold adapter allows any telephone to be used as a business phone with call hold capabilities. Most on-hold adapters allow for music to be played while the caller waits to be helped.
Try: Music on Hold explains how the on-hold adapter works with a telephone in their frequently asked questions section.

USB telephone adapter

A USB telephone adapter converts any telephone into a working Internet telephone. The adapter allows you to use all the normal features on your phone like call waiting, caller identification and any others you would normally use through a land line.
Try: DLink sells a USB telephone converter. The converter is explained in detail on the product website.

Analog Telephone Adapter

The analog telephone adapter is the adapter used to make your analog han telephone capable of VoIP services. The adapter works with an Internet router through an ethernet connection to communicate telephone access.
Try: Webopedia explains how an analog telephone adapter works.

RJ11 phone jack

The RJ11 phone jack is the standard jack connection used for North American telephone connections, but international telephone connections use different types of connections. You'll need an adapter to connect telephones or computers in different countries.
Try: Travel Island offers an explanation of the international telephone and Internet adaptor. They also explain the RJ11 phone jack.

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