Cloud-based phone systems are simply systems which allow you to use telephone functions through the Internet - i.e. delivering calls, virtual voicemail, or even instant messaging. Often, the term refers to business phone systems which connect workers through free online calling services, such as Skype. Another term for cloud-based phone systems is Internet phone systems. It is not the same as satellite phones - satellite phones work by connecting to a network of satellites in space, requiring satellite-connectivity hardware in the device, whereas cloud-based phone systems work through the Internet, requiring only Internet connectivity in the device
