What is VoIP? A simple guide to internet calling

VoIP turns your internet connection into a phone line. Here is how it works and why it makes international calls cheaper.

Updated June 2026

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is the technology that lets you make phone calls over the internet instead of a traditional phone line. It powers cheap international calling, browser-based dialers, and most modern business phone systems.

How VoIP works

Instead of sending your voice down a copper wire, VoIP converts it into small packets of data and sends them over the internet. At the other end, those packets are turned back into sound. When you call a real phone number, a gateway connects your internet call to the public phone network so the recipient just hears a normal call.

Why people use VoIP

  • Lower cost - internet calls avoid expensive carrier long-distance fees.
  • No hardware - you can call from a browser, app, or desk phone.
  • Global reach - call any country at per-minute rates that are shown upfront.
  • Extra features - recording, transcripts, and live translation are easy to add.

VoIP and Localcall

Localcall is a browser-based VoIP service: it connects your browser to the phone network with WebRTC, shows the per-minute rate before you dial, and can translate the call in real time. There is no app to install and you pay only for the minutes you talk.

Ready to call?

Open the web dialer and call any country with live translation, paying only for the minutes you talk.

Frequently asked questions

No. With a browser-based service like Localcall you only need a device with a microphone and an internet connection.

More guides