What type of data connection does VoIP use?

VoIP, or Voice over Internet Protocol, fundamentally relies on Internet Protocol (IP) to transmit voice data over a network. This technology digitizes voice signals and converts them into data packets that are sent over the internet. By utilizing IP, VoIP can take advantage of various internet infrastructure, enabling more flexible and cost-effective communication than traditional phone systems.

This method of transmission allows for a number of functionalities such as call routing, multimedia sharing, and better integration with other internet services. It is considered more efficient for high-volume voice communication due to its ability to compress data and manage bandwidth dynamically.

In contrast, the other types of connections mentioned serve different purposes or use different methodologies. Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) is primarily a type of broadband internet connection rather than a form of voice communication. Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) is a circuit-switched technology that predates VoIP and is not typically used in modern VoIP setups. Lastly, circuit-switched connections are associated with traditional phone systems, which establish a dedicated circuit for a call, rather than the packet-switching methodology utilized by IP-based connections.