Here’s Why You Need to Have a VoIP VPN

VPN 2018-08-03 04:17:52 - by Rachel Lee

The internet has opened a lot of possibilities for common folks like you and me, and even for companies and businesses through the availability of free information everywhere on the globe. Now, in this almost perfect scenario – one issue is starting to catch fire and is starting to gain traction nowadays: online censorship.

Online censorship imposes restrictions on what information can be accessed or viewed on the internet. Some governments and organizations make use of internet censorship to restrict access to copyrighted information and those which are considered harmful or sensitive content. However, as this tool can be very selective and specific in its use, it can also be utilized as a propaganda method to promote certain religions and/or political agendas.

For those making off a living on the internet, which is pretty much almost everybody nowadays, internet censorship can deal a big blow to your day-to-day activities. Let’s take for example those who are always traveling or those who are working from home. As the internet can easily provide communication tools (Skype, Viber, social media, etc.) to cater to our work/business needs, living in a country where online censorship is implemented (or is soon to be implemented) can be a major problem. Not only will it hinder business processes, but it will also limit our free access and use of the internet for our enjoyment. In this post, we will focus on the use of VoIPs which is quite important in certain industries (i.e. customer service, marketing, consultancy, freelancing), but is generally integrated into all types of business activities.

What is a VoIP?

VoIP stands for voice over internet protocol. It is an alternative method to make phone calls that can be very cheap or entirely free. However, the ‘phone’ part is always not there anymore, as you can communicate nowadays without a telephone set or a hard phone. Think Skype, WhatsApp, Google Phone, Google Group Chat, Facebook video, and voice chat, and many more. To say the least, VoIPs are considered to be the most successful technology of the last decade.

Why Do Some Regions Restrict VoIP Services Anyway?

The answer to the question can be one or a combination of the following:

There are telecommunication monopolies in a country that are scared to lose revenue because of VoIPs
Some governments do not like the fact that Skype calls are harder to track
Other bureaucratic issues that can hinder the operations or licensing of VoIP providers in a country

Which Countries Restrict VoIP Access?

Here is a short list of the countries which restrict VoIP services. However, the ban may not be in place continuously as most of these countries enforce or have enforced them during a specific period of time (i.e. political turmoil or crises).

Belize
Brazil
Various Caribbean countries
China
Egypt
Jordan
Kuwait
Mexico
Morocco
North & South Korea
Oman
Pakistan
Qatar
Paraguay
The United Arab Emirates

As the list stands, remember that there’s also a possibility that other countries may also enforce restrictions on VoIP services, but hopefully not soon!

Why Use a VPN for VoIP

You can create a private, “encrypted” tunnel on your network through which your VoIP traffic will be redirected and secured through a VPN service such as VPN Surf. In effect, you can bypass firewall restrictions, enabling you to make the calls you want with VoIP. Here are some of the notable advantages of getting a VPN service on your network:

Your VPN will mask your original IP address which ensures your anonymity online
You can get better call rates with your VoIP app when making international calls depending on the location you set your VPN to
You can enjoy enhanced security and ensure the privacy of your calls from third-party users, your ISP, and even from the Government!
You will be free from “bandwidth throttling” in case your ISP notices that you make calls that last for hours and hours!
You can enjoy fast and stable network speeds if you connect to a VPN server closest to your country or current location

How do I set up my VPN s VoIP?

On PC and Mac, it’s as simple as installing a VPN client, and then connecting to a VPN server, and you’re good to go!

However, it is possible to configure a VPN on Linux as well.

For your mobile device, you’ll need to choose a VPN provider which offers mobile app versions of their service.

If you would like to set up complete VoIP access for your office or shared private online workspace, it’s a good idea to set up a VPN on a router that has firmware that allows for this type of configuration such as DD-WRT or Tomato-enabled routers.

As a general rule, it would be great to bring this up in discussion with your chosen VPN provider so they may assist you with the setup of their services according to your unique needs.

Conclusion

To summarize, we can all agree that the internet has completely changed how we interact and conduct business. The accessibility of free information has created new opportunities for both people and businesses. Nonetheless, because it imposes restrictions on information access and may be employed as a propaganda tool to further particular agendas, internet censorship is a problem that is growing increasingly worrisome. Many organizations and individuals now consider VoIP services to be crucial, yet for various reasons, several nations have put restrictions on their usage.

Thankfully, a VPN service might offer an answer to get around these limitations and enable safe and confidential communication. Users may benefit from lower call costs, more security and privacy, and freedom from bandwidth limiting with a VPN. Setting up a VPN for VoIP is simple, and VPN providers can help with the setup depending on the user's particular requirements. Using VPNs can assist guarantee that we have access to the communication tools we need to prosper in the digital era as we continue to negotiate the difficulties of internet restriction.