Final answer:
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), or Internet telephony, allows users to make voice and video calls over the Internet, leading to cheaper, faster, and better-quality communication. Technological advancements such as microwave transmission and satellite technology have facilitated the growth of these services, providing more consumer choice and better service quality.
Step-by-step explanation:
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), also called Internet telephony, enables users to speak to other users over the Internet. This innovation has led to cheaper, faster, and better-quality data transmission, transforming the way we communicate. Due to VoIP and subsequent technological advancements, we now have access to free Internet-based calling and video calling. These services have vastly increased consumer choice, reducing costs for phone calls, especially long distance, and enhancing the overall quality of phone service.
These improvements in technology have been facilitated by advancements in microwave transmission, communications satellites, and other wireless technologies, allowing not just voice, but multimedia sessions over Internet Protocol (IP) networks. Consequently, VoIP and its spin-offs have become integral to personal and professional communication, enabling individuals and organizations to connect across the globe effortlessly and affordably.