A codec (Coder/Decoder) converts analog signals to a digital bitstream, and another identical codec at the far end of the communication converts the digital bitstream back into an analog signal.
In the VoIP world, codecs are used to encode voice for transmission across IP networks.
Codecs for VoIP use are also referred to as vocoders, for "voice encoders".
Codecs generally provide a compression capability to save network bandwidth. Some codecs also support silence suppression, where silence is not encoded or transmitted.
Codec
Algorithm
Bit Rate (Kbps)
Comments
ITU G.711
PCM (Pulse Code Modulation)
64
G.711 with mu-law used in North America and Japan, while G.711 with A-law used in the rest of the world.