Term of the Moment
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Definition: IP phone
(Internet Protocol phone) A telephone that is used with voice over IP (VoIP) telephone services. The IP phone plugs directly into the Internet and converts voice into IP packets and vice versa. It has built-in SIP signaling and is used in conjunction with an IP PBX in an enterprise or a hosted VoIP service. An IP phone can also be software installed in the user's PC for calls made at the computer (see softphone). See VoIP, hosted VoIP and IP telephony.
IP Cordless
Desk Phones in Transition
Like analog cordless phone systems, this DECT base station supports eight handsets. See DECT.
The Samsung phone (right) connects to an in-house Samsung phone system (PBX). It is being replaced with a 3CX cloud-hosted system and IP phones like the Snom phone on the left. All desk phones look pretty much alike, except that IP phones plug directly into the Internet.