What is VoIP?

FreedomPop is a cellular service provider. We offer affordable talk, text, and data plans, starting from $0.00 per month!

 

This information applies to Premium SIMs

New Premium SIM cards use native cellular minutes, text messages, and data, not VoIP. No application is required! Visit https://premium.freedompop.com/ to get started. 

To learn how VoIP works, or about our older standard SIMs, continue reading. 

 

This information applies to our older, Standard SIM cards

Our older, standard SIM cards use VoIP technology. 

VoIP stands for Voice Over Internet Protocol. Essentially, it means data, or the internet, is used for calling and texting instead of the cellular network.

 

According to Cisco.com:

“With VoIP, analog voice calls are converted into packets of data. The packets travel like any other type of data, such as e-mail, over the public Internet and/or any private Internet Protocol (IP) network.”

Therefore, instead of requiring hardwired phone lines, audio (meaning your voice when you are speaking to someone on your phone) is digitally converted into data and sent over the internet to the person receiving your call.

Specialized hardware is required to support regular cellular calls, while VoIP calls can be made using software (digitally). This makes the calls more affordable.

 

Are cellular calls better?

A regular cellular call will provide clearer call quality, but this really depends on your coverage.

Since VoIP calls rely on data, the same things that can disturb your internet connection, can also disturb your calls. Weak signal strength, going through tunnels while driving, even standing next to large bodies of water (rivers, oceans) or railroad tracks.

Cellular calls can typically withstand these conditions without much effect on your call quality but VoIP calls are a bit more sensitive. 

 

That said, some areas do not have a strong enough data signal, to support clear, quality VoIP calls. For this reason, we recommend that you upgrade to our Premium service. Click here to learn more!

If you have additional questions or concerns, please click here to learn how to get in touch with us. If you would like to sign up for FreedomPop's free calling, texting, and data service, please visit premium.freedompop.com.