VoIP 101.com -- Info Guide to Selecting VoIP Service and Phones

IP Phones

IP phones, also called VoIP phones, SIP phones, Internet phones or broadband phones, are designed to connect directly to the Internet. There are both wired and wireless (Wi-Fi) IP phones available. The big three manufactures of VoIP phones today are Cisco, Snom and Polycom. Some Cisco IP phones also offer video, however both parties need to have a video IP phone to make a video call.

VoIP phone functionality can also be implemented with a PC or laptop if you have the Softphone software and a headset or microphone and speakers. For more information, see VoIP software.