NEW FEATURE: NUACOM AI - Call Transcription | Emotion & Sentiment | Key Points | Call Summary | Talk Time Indicator. Learn more

NEW FEATURE: NUACOM AI - Call Transcription | Emotion & Sentiment | Key Points | Call Summary | Talk Time Indicator. Learn more

What is a VoIP switch?

Software

A VoIP switch, also known as a softswitch, is a software-based platform that routes and manages Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) calls. It acts like a digital traffic cop, directing voice data across the internet to ensure calls reach their destination efficiently and securely. VoIP switches handle tasks such as call routing, converting voice signals into data packets, and managing connections between different networks or devices. This technology forms the backbone of VoIP systems, enabling reliable and cost-effective communication over the internet.

Hardware

There is a hardware version of a VoIP switch, known as a VoIP gateway or VoIP router. This physical device serves a similar function to a software-based VoIP switch by facilitating the conversion of voice signals from traditional phone lines (PSTN) into digital data packets that can be transmitted over the internet. VoIP gateways also handle the reverse process, converting incoming digital data packets back into voice signals for transmission to traditional phone lines. These hardware devices are crucial for integrating VoIP systems with existing telephony infrastructure and ensuring seamless communication between VoIP networks and the public switched telephone network (PSTN).