VoIP is a technology that enables voice and data communications over the _____.

VoIP, or Voice over Internet Protocol, is a technology that allows voice communication to be transmitted over the Internet by converting audio signals into digital data. This enables voice calls to be made over various types of networks, but the defining feature of VoIP is its ability to operate over the public internet.

When we say VoIP works over the public internet, it highlights the technology’s capability to facilitate communication using the same infrastructure that supports web browsing and data transfer globally. This is distinct from private networks, such as a local area network or private intranets, which may restrict access or usage to a specific organization or user group. While VoIP calls can indeed be made over private networks, the essence of VoIP technology is its broad accessibility through the public internet.

Using the public internet allows for greater reach and potential cost savings, as calls can be made regardless of geographic location, though this is dependent on the quality of the internet connection. Therefore, the emphasis on the public internet in the context of VoIP is crucial to understanding its accessibility and operational framework in modern communication systems.