What is an ATA Adapter?

ATA or the analog telephone adapter is a device used as an interface between analog phone system and a digital network like VoIP. An ATA resembles a switch box with a power cord, Ethernet port and a number of analog telephone ports with a foreign exchange office link generally known as the FXO. As there are many analog ports, the user can connect more than one telephone into a single analog adapter and thereby they need not modify the VoIP settings. No added software is required as they get connected directly with the VoIP service provider by means of procedures like SIP. It has the skill to affirm several VoIP protocols though no more than one is required.


All new ATA’s support both SIP and H.323 standards. The important point is that it should positively have an RJ-11 and one RJ-45 port. Latest ATA’s have an added RJ-45 port so that they can be connected to a computer thereby permitting calls between telephone and the computer. Many other makers include a USB port as well to connect other external devices. The latest adapter switches by itself mechanically amid VoIP and regular phone system without human intervention. They also have added facilities like call waiting, forwarding, call transfer and caller identification. Moreover they support 3-way conference calls for business environments.


The ATA is often locked and they cannot be used with other service providers. The user can change the configuration only to some extent. A few of them provide without any lock and those can be used with similar service providers. This service is usually offered by broadband and telephone companies at a cheaper call rates than customary phones.


It uses roughly about 3 to 5 watts of electricity and cannot operate without power. If there is a continued power cut the ATA automatically switches to the analog phone system. This is done to ensure that there is no communication loss in companies which might be deadly. Manufacturers are also trying to enhance voice quality through Digital Signal Processing.



Chris is the writer of this article , you can visit us for more information on ATA Adapter and IDE Cable. Visit to read more detail.