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Difference between VoIP and POTS

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1. Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) : VoIP stands for Voice Over Internet Protocol. VoIP refers to the phone service over internet rather than that traditional phone line. It is also termed as IP telephony or Internet telephony. VoIP provides phone service through internet. It converts our voice into digital signal and sends it in packet format over Internet Protocol (IP) networks. In simple Voice over IP technology allows us to make and receive calls over the internet. VoIP uses internet as the transmission medium for telephone calls. It is also known as Voice Over Internet (VOI). 2. Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) : POTS stands for Plain Old Telephone Service refers to the traditional telephone system in which analog voice transmission takes place through copper twisted pair wires. It is also known as Plain Ordinary Telephone Service. The voice/sound signal is converted into electrical signal and transmits through copper twisted pair wires. It is generally restricted 52 kbps and includes bidirectional or full duplex voice band paths. Alternatively referred as Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). It is an old and basic system of communication. 
Difference between VoIP and POTS :

S.No. VOIP POTS
01. VoIP allows to make phone calls using internet as transmission medium.  POTS allows to make phone calls through a fixed//dedicated line.
02. VoIP is based on packet switching. POTS is based on circuit switching.
03. Basically 10 kbps required for communication in each direction. Basically 64 kbps required for communication in each direction.
04. In VoIP, bandwidth is taken and released as per use. In POTS, bandwidth is reserved until the call is completed.
05. VoIP up-gradations includes improvement of bandwidth. POTS up-gradations includes improvement of lines and hardware.
06. Running cost is low. Running cost is high.
07. It converts the voice into digital signal. It converts the voice into electrical signal.
08. All extra features like call forwarding, call transfer etc are free. All extra features like call forwarding, call transfer etc are usually free but adds on costs extra.
09. Setup cost is low. Setup cost is high.
10. It supports multimedia transmission like audio, video and any other multimedia. It does not support multimedia transmission like audio, video and any other multimedia.
11. Free VoIP to VoIP call. No free PSTN to PSTN calls.
12. Remote extensions are easily available. Remote extensions are not easily available because it needs its own dedicated line.
13. Calls to emergency services not traceable. Calls to emergency services traceable.
14. Cost is independent upon time and distance. Cost is dependent upon time and distance.

Last Updated : 16 May, 2022
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