Glossary
What is VoIP?.
VoIP, or Voice over Internet Protocol, is technology that sends voice calls over the internet instead of a traditional copper phone line. It is the foundation of every modern cloud phone system, mobile call app, and internet-based business number.
VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is a technology that converts voice audio into digital data packets and transmits them over an internet connection instead of a traditional telephone network. It makes calling cheaper, location-independent, and software-configurable. Most cloud business phone systems, including virtual numbers and video call tools, run on VoIP.
Data networks. NIST defines VoIP as the transmission of speech across data-style networks rather than dedicated phone circuits.
NIST, Security Considerations for Voice Over IP Systems, SP 800-58 (2005)
Internet-based. VoIP sends voice as digital data over an internet connection, so it does not need a copper phone line.
Works on any device. A VoIP number rings on a mobile app, desktop softphone, browser, or desk handset, wherever the user is.
Power needed. VoIP phones depend on internet service and power, so an outage can stop calls unless there is a backup.
Scalable. Adding a VoIP line or extension takes minutes and does not require a technician or new physical hardware.
Software-configurable. Routing rules, voicemail, call recording, and forwarding are all managed through a web dashboard, not a wiring closet.
How does VoIP work?
When you speak into a VoIP-enabled device, the audio is sampled and converted into compressed digital packets. Those packets travel across the internet to the other party, where they are reassembled and converted back into audio. The process happens fast enough that both parties hear a continuous voice, not segments.
The quality depends on internet speed and latency, not the phone carrier. A stable internet connection produces call quality close to a landline. A congested or weak connection introduces lag and dropped audio.
What is the difference between VoIP and a traditional phone line?
A traditional phone line (PSTN) uses a dedicated copper circuit between two endpoints. VoIP shares the internet infrastructure. The copper circuit is reliable but expensive to maintain and inflexible: adding a line requires a technician and physical work.
VoIP is cheaper, faster to provision, and device-agnostic. The tradeoff is dependency on internet connectivity. Businesses in areas with unreliable internet sometimes maintain a landline backup for critical calls.
Cost
VoIP is usually priced per user per month, with features bundled; compare current plans against your landline bill.
Portability
VoIP numbers work on any device with internet access. Landlines are physically fixed to a location.
Features
VoIP systems include call recording, routing, voicemail transcription, and forwarding. Landlines require add-on hardware for those features.
Dependency
VoIP requires a working internet connection. A power outage or ISP failure can interrupt calling without a backup plan.
Does Leap work with VoIP phone systems?
Leap works through call forwarding, which most VoIP systems support. You set a forwarding rule on your existing number, such as forwarding calls nobody answers, and Leap answers the calls that come through. Virtual numbers like Google Voice, OpenPhone, Grasshopper and RingCentral set this inside their own apps.
The underlying phone system does not change. Outbound calls still go through your VoIP provider. Inbound calls that your team answers go through normally. Overflow and after-hours calls forward to Leap.
Frequently asked questions
What does VoIP stand for?
VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol. It is the technology that transmits phone calls as digital data over the internet, rather than through the copper telephone network.
Is VoIP the same as a regular phone call?
It produces the same experience for the caller, but the underlying mechanism is different. VoIP sends voice as data packets over the internet. A regular call uses a dedicated circuit through a telephone network.
What do I need to use VoIP?
An internet connection, a VoIP provider, and a device that supports it: a smartphone app, a computer softphone, or a VoIP handset. No special wiring or carrier setup is required.
Is VoIP reliable enough for a business?
Yes, for most businesses. A stable broadband connection produces call quality equal to a landline. Businesses in low-connectivity areas or those that cannot tolerate an outage sometimes keep a landline backup for critical calls.
Can I keep my existing phone number if I switch to VoIP?
Yes. Most VoIP providers support number porting, which moves your existing number to the new platform. Leap does not require porting at all and works via forwarding on your current number.
How much does VoIP cost for a small business?
Most VoIP providers charge per user per month, and prices change often, so compare current plans. An AI receptionist like Leap is a separate service that adds call answering on top.
Does Leap work on a VoIP number?
Yes, if your VoIP service can forward calls. Leap shows carrier dial codes for mobile lines; virtual numbers like Google Voice, OpenPhone, Grasshopper and RingCentral forward from inside their own apps. No new number is needed.
What is the difference between VoIP and a cell phone call?
A cell phone uses a cellular network. VoIP uses the internet. Many smartphone apps like FaceTime, WhatsApp, and Google Voice are VoIP calls over cellular data or Wi-Fi, which is different from your carrier's standard voice minutes.
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