How Can I Fax Over VOIP?

Learn how you can start sending faxes over VoIP.

Voiceover Internet Protocol, also know as VoIP, enables consumers to place telephone calls over the Internet as opposed to traditional telephone lines. Due to VoIP service's ability to integrate the use of telephone handsets with the technology of the Internet, it is also possible to integrate the use of fax machines over the Internet.

Things You'll Need

• VoIP service
• Fax machine
• Analog telephone adapter

Instructions

1. Call your VoIP service provider and confirm that they support the g.711 and/or T.38 protocols. These are the Internet protocols for faxing over VoIP. VoIP is designed to compress data, while g.711 and T.38 protocols are uncompressed. One or the other of these uncompressed protocols is needed to send faxes over VoIP.

2. Lower the BAUD rate on your fax machine once you have confirmed that your VoIP service provider supports one of the uncompressed protocols. This rate is what determines how fast your fax machine transmits its data. Since VoIP is optimized to send compressed data, slowing down the BAUD rate ensures that all the data--while taking longer to transmit--reaches its destination fully intact. Consult your fax machine's manual for details on how to slow down the BAUD rate, as this will vary from model to model. However, the process may resemble the following: On your fax machine, press "Setup," "Advanced Fax Setup," then "OK." Select "Fax Speed," then "OK." Select "Slow" or "9600" and "OK" once more.

3. Plug your fax machine into an analog telephone adapter connected to your modem/router. Then turn on your fax machine.

4. Load the document (and the optional cover sheet) that you would like to fax. Enter the destination number and press send to send your fax.

References

• Chris Pirillo: How To Fax Over VoIP on The Internet:
• VoIP Mechanic: Faxing Over a VoIP Connection

Resources

• Vonage: Fax Line