VoIP Providers Review | VOIP Phone Reviews

Via Talk Voip - Any Different From Other Voip Providers?

2008-11-17T14:01:00.001-08:00

By Mike Singh

Via Talk (VT) is a provider of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) to both residential and business owners. They are a division of a privately owned, multi-million dollar corporation. What is the difference between the Via Talk VoIP and other providers of Internet communications?

The technology to use the Internet for telephone communications is available to any company in the telecommunications industry. What separates one business from the other is customer service. Via Talk VoIP offers excellent technical support and service to its customers. Via Talk has years of experience providing Internet service and has learned what their customers prefer in terms of service.

There are several plans that Via Talk offers starting as low as $9.95 per month. They offer standard features that you would need in your daily telephone use such as call forwarding and waiting and caller ID. In addition, they offer special features for a minimum charge such as virtual phone number, soft phone, fax service, and more.

With a virtual phone number, you have the ability to enjoy more than one number without an additional phone line. The soft phone feature is included in a program provided from Via Talk that allows the customer to make and receive calls directly from their computer or laptop. If you send and receive faxes, you can have a fax line along with your phone line and then send faxes directly from your computer.

VT_500 Plan lets customers call anywhere in the United States, Canada, and starts at $9.95 per month. This plan includes 500 anytime minutes and you can subscribe for as little as 1 month or up to 24 months. With the VT Unlimited Plan, you will pay $15.95 for 24 months. This plan also includes unlimited calling throughout the United States and Canada. If you own a business, consider the VT Business 1500. This plan is perfect if you own a small business or work from home. You receive 1500 anytime minutes that you can use throughout the United States and Canada and it includes a fax line.

Via Talk VoIP offers several plans, which makes it easier for you to match the plan to your telecommunication needs. When you choose your plan you will also pay a one-time activation fee but can be waived if you subscribe to a package that is either 12 or 24 months. If you find that the service package does not meet your needs, Via Talk will charge a cancellation fee.

Check out http://www.why-switch-to-voip.com/ for more articles on VOIP provider and voip systems.

The Importance Of Security In Business VoIP Applications

2008-11-10T14:01:00.001-08:00

By Michael Lemm

It's unfortunate that when evaluating business VoIP solutions few mention the word security except in the context of web-based administration. This could be a fatal miscue to your business.

Keep in mind that a big advantage of VoIP is you can have people working from home or on the road. When you're logging in, are the credentials passed in the clear? Don't just take the vendor's word for it, have you tested it using a packet sniffer? If it's a requirement, is the call data encrypted?

Here's a scenario to consider:

You have Sales reps using an open WiFi network at a coffee shop or at a hotel. The call setup information is unencrypted and the IP stream carrying the conversation is unencrypted.

Why should you care about either of these things? Two risks:

#1: Toll fraud. Someone can sniff that authentication information and impersonate your sales rep. Your switch doesn't know the difference. You might not know that the credentials got swiped until your bill shows up with calls to a lot of foreign countries or (if you're very lucky) your carrier calls you and asks why your calling patterns have changed so much.

Good luck trying to get credit for toll fraud. The carrier is going to tell you that they put access to their network in at your premises and it was your responsibility to control it. There's probably language that covers them in your contract and/or tariff.

#2: Confidentiality of trade secrets. Maybe it's a quick call to check on fantasy football standings. But it could also be a call to a supplier to see if they'll do special pricing on a deal. That call could also be followed up by a call to a sales manager to talk about percentage mark-up. An unencrypted VoIP stream may seem complicated but its trivially easy to reassemble and "record" the whole conversation.

The above scenario is just an example of many ways your VoIP system may be vulnerable. I'm not discouraging you from implementing a business VoIP system if it's right for you. I am encouraging not to thoroughly evaluate security implications and be prepared to guard against any potential issues.

Michael is the owner of FreedomFire Communications....including DS3-Bandwidth.com and Business-VoIP-Solution.com. Michael also authors Broadband Nation where you're always welcome to drop in and catch up on the latest BroadBand news, tips, insights, and ramblings for the masses.

Which VoIP Service is Right for You? VoIP Problems Discussed

2008-11-03T14:01:00.001-08:00

By Joe Robertson

There are a few problems associated with VOIP. Like, if the broadband connection is problematic, if there is a conversation that is taking place between two VOIP users and a few IP packets get destroyed or there is a delay in its reaching the destination at any point there is a pause for a few moments, rather no voice is heard.

This happens more in networks that are saturated or when the distances of the call are long. The voice quality has improved a lot today though and it will get better with time.

It is considered better to use the media that is 'packeted' in terms of VOIP as these works on multi-path routing or the incoming and outgoing packets take different routes. This reduces the effect of the minute failures.

There are a number of protocols that help in supporting the report of QoS/QoE which are for VOIP calls. Like RTCP XR (RFC3611) or the SIP RTCP Summary Reports, H.248.30 and MGCP extensions. The RFC3611 VOIP metric report support the feedback which is related to the QoS problems.

It is a little difficult to send faxes through VOIP. The voice codec that already exist are not meant to be sending faxes. Everyday technology is changing, everyday a solution is thought of for fixing this problem. Efforts are being made to answer this problem by defining a solution based on a different IP for sending Fax. These include the T.38 protocol.

Other solutions have also been thought of. Treating the system of fax like a system for message switching and it doesn't need a great data transmission, like sending over a fax like an attachment with the email. The system at the end can buffer the fax data that is incoming prior to its display or its being printed.

You may wish to read more at: VoIP Requirement List and Skype Problems and Complaints

Joe, a reporter, has been travelling around the world for more than a decade now and has extensive experience in many fields. Now he has a blog along with other article writers. To know more about him, do visit: Random Rants

How To Do A VOIP Comparison To Find Your Best Value

2008-10-27T15:01:00.001-07:00

By Jon Arnold

The first thing you need to do when doing a VOIP comparison or a comparison of virtually any other product or service is to understand that lowest price rarely is the same thing as best value. Even many government contracts these days, where they used to be solely focused on lowest price, are changing to consider the aspect of best value, which is rarely the same thing.

Granted, there is no sense in paying more for something than you need to, and there is also no sense in paying for features of a service that you will rarely if ever use. But for basic functionality, I would strongly encourage you to look for the best overall value for a service instead of merely best price, especially when doing a VOIP comparison.

The first thing you need to consider is what features you want with your VOIP service and why you are considering it. With residential or home office usage, implementing VOIP is almost a no-brainer. With a traditional telephone line costing you $25 a month or more and having no more additional features than just a dial tone, justifying the implementation of VOIP services at approximately the same price which also includes the other standard VOIP features of unlimited long distance calling, calling waiting, voicemail, and others truly makes it a bargain. But then again, consider if you need those features � if you never make long distance calls, you don't need voicemail or call waiting, then it makes little sense to use technology such as VOIP simply for the sake of technology.

Even for the small office, VOIP does not automatically mean cost savings. There is nothing automatic about it in terms of cost savings. If your small office is doing less than about 4000 long distance minutes per month, it may not make financial sense to implement VOIP.

Consider that when doing a VOIP comparison, at least one aspect is going to be the same for all carriers, and that is the reliability of your high-speed Internet connection. VOIP services use your high-speed Internet connection to make and receive your phone calls, and without a very reliable, stable, and otherwise rock solid high-speed Internet connection, you are not going to have a pleasant experience with VOIP no matter which VOIP service provider you choose. Note that the VOIP provider has absolutely no control over how reliable your Internet connection is.

When doing your VOIP comparison, make a list of the features you want to have and make sure you are comparing apples to apples when looking at VOIP service offerings. Is unlimited long distance important to you? If so, make sure that is there. Is voicemail important, or call waiting? If so, make sure they are there.

How is the carrier's customer service? There are some carriers where the customer service is so bad that their VOIP service is not a bargain at any price. If you have ever had to get through to Verizon customer service, you know exactly how frustrating that can be, and I don't know about you, but my time is worth something more than listening to elevator music on hold.

For more insights and a comparison of the leading VOIP service providers, as well as seeing our Expert Pick for the VOIP Comparison please visit our web site at http://www.voipinsideinfo.com

VOIP vs Every Day Phone Service - Free Trial VOIP Solutions

2008-10-06T14:01:00.001-07:00

By Ivan A Cuxeva

As you may know, VOIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol. This useful technology has brought together people from all over the world using the most extensive network there is, the World Wide Web. The use of the internet allows us to connect with users all around the globe. The web is no longer seen as a plain structure which only allows exchange of text-based data.

In the earlier days the web was known to bring excellent offers from companies who started to explore their possibilities by extending their business to virtual locations on web servers. As time went by, the Internet was used more and more not only to purchase goods but to exchange information, this is why when many hear the word "internet" they are immediately reminded of "chat rooms". That is actually how the internet started to gain ground and popularity. People liked the way this emerging a new technology let them connect with they didn't know, with friends, family, etc.

Most web users at some point or another thought "Email and chat rooms are OK but it doesn't beat verbal communication". This fact remained true for quite some time until software developers created software applications which allowed users to communicate verbally with each other through the web just like if they were sending data packets. In reality, text, voice and video can be turned into computer data and sent over fiber optic cables or phone lines. This is how most people think of VOIP, and that's in-fact very close to the way VOIP enabled devices work.

The only problem at the time was that such software programs were unable to place actual phone calls but rather all communication conducted through a PC to PC interface which is still used today by may applications. Phone companies became aware of the possibility clients would turn their backs on their service and started offering Voice Over IP communications as an alternative choice.

Other companies emerged such as Vonage, Packet8, VOIP, BBtelsys, Cordia, etc. These companies used this technology to offer alternatives to consumers. Many people have decided to use their VOIP solutions because they are cheap compared to regular phone services, which sounds good but since it is a new concept many people are not sure if this kind of technology is for them.

That's why finding VOIP companies which offer free trials is very useful. Some of them provide the service for free as a second line which can be tested side by sides against the user's existing phone service and after thirty days the user can decide which way he/she wants to follow. As you can see this is very convenient because if the service turns out to be not what you expected, you can just cancel and owe nothing.

This technology is also used by businesses because it cuts their communication expenses by more than half. But aside from being a financially smart decision, voice over IP solutions have all the features we use every day such as: caller ID, call waiting, conference calling, call forwarding, redial, call transfer and logs, message waiting, hold and speed dial. So as you see it is not that different from our current service which makes voice over IP an easy to adapt and understand technology.

VoipDocument offers more information about phone service and free trial VoIP providers. Get great voip deals and learn more about this useful technology from our VoIP knowledge base. Visit us today!.

VoIP Phone Basics - Using VoIP With Your Existing Phone

2008-09-29T14:10:00.001-07:00

By Kevin Nelson

If you're like most people considering switching over to VoIP phone service, you already understand the great value VoIP can provide as well as the cost savings. Let's face it, that's one of the main reasons people make the switch to VoIP.

But one of the things that often times holds people back is that they're worried about not being able to use their regular phone, perhaps being tied to a computer in order to make calls or having to buy expensive hardware that's compatible with their new phone service. Neither of those is a good option but you can breath a sigh of relief in knowing that your existing phone will work just fine with most of the major players in the VoIP market.

Connecting Your Existing Phone

When you sign up with you VoIP phone service provider, they will give you an adapter that allows you to use your existing phone with the new VoIP system. This means you don't have to worry about being tied to your computer or shelling out more money for additional hardware. The adapter will have several plugs for you to connect items to, including your phone, your computer and your Internet connection. The adapter does all the hard work of converting the phone signal so it's VoIP-compatible.

Activating Your VoIP Phone Service

Once you have your phone all set up, all you have to do is activate your service. Of course each provide has different ways of doing this so it's best to check their user guide to get the full details on this part, but usually this can be done via the Internet or over the phone. In addition, they can provide any troubleshooting tips if you hit a snag, but that's doubtful because regardless of which company you choose, the setup process is quite easy.

Enjoying VoIP Phone Service

Congratulations, you've just entered the exciting world of VoIP! After your service is activated, you can begin using your phone like normal. The only difference is now you'll probably have way more features and better service than you got from your local phone company.

Once you experience what it's like to have access to unlimited long distance calling anytime of the day, discount rates on international calls, voicemail, caller ID and other features all built-in to most VoIP calling plans, you'll quickly understand why millions of other consumers have switched to VoIP and why this new phone technology is increasing in popularity every day.

How long can you afford to pay higher phone bills each month? Find out more about how to choose a VoIP phone service that can help you keep more money in your pocket while you enjoy enhanced calling features your local phone company would nickel and dime you for. Find money-saving links to top-rated VoIP providers by visiting http://www.BuyersGuideToVoIP.com

VoIP Tutorial - Things You Need To Get Started With VoIP

2008-09-22T14:20:00.001-07:00

By Juzaily Ramli

Now that you�ve decided that VoIP or Voice Over Internet Protocol is right for you, there are a few things that you have to do to get started. The following are steps you can take to immediately enjoy the benefits of VoIP.

Updating Your Computer

First on your list is to update your computer. You need to have a High Speed Internet connection. Also you would need to have updated video and audio Codecs as well as the latest version of DivX. Updating your computer is easy by utilising tools or programs such as your Windows Update.

Deciding on a Service Provider

The next step is for you to decide on a service provider that can offer you the right VoIP service plan. As there are many companies offering such services, you could make the decision easier by writing down a list of your needs, wants, as well as features in that fit your needs. Compare the many plans available and make your choice.

One thing to remember is that there are normally two plans available: Residential and Business. Residential plans can either be a basic plan which provides a certain amount of talk time, or an unlimited plan which provides unlimited local and long distance access. On the other hand, a Business plan can provide services such as multiple phones, longer talk time, better unlimited calling plans, added business features, voicemail and faxing features, as well as other extras like listings in the yellow pages. Make sure that you choose a plan that is catered to your needs. The service provider that you finally decide on can also assist you in determining what other computer requirements you will need to have. Again, it is important that your computer be up to date and complies with the service provider�s requirements.

Getting a Telephone Adapter

The telephone adapter will be given to you by your service provider. With this adapter, you can now convert your everyday household phone into a phone that works with your VoIP service. Using an Ethernet cable, connect your telephone adapter to your Cable or DSI modem. Then connect your telephone to the adapter with a phone jack. Besides a regular phone, you could also opt to use a portable phone to the adapter, and have the ease of a portable phone that works with your VoIP service. However, this is just the standard portable phone used indoors, not to be confused with a cell phone.

Choosing Your Own Telephone Number

Now you have the option of choosing your own telephone number, one of the best features that VoIP offers. If you are contemplating on keeping your old number with your new VoIP system, discuss this with your service provider first. Most VoIP service providers will allow you to do this. However, keep in mind that selecting a different number or area code has many advantages. To start with, for family members and friends who do not have unlimited long distance calling options, choosing the same area code as theirs can immediately save them money. They will definitely thank you for having being given the opportunity to call you as if it were a local call.

On a larger perspective, this option is very advantageous to those who own businesses that are aiming at specific regions. Say you own a business in Florida, yet at the same time, you would like to expand to Los Angeles, California. In choosing the Los Angeles, California code, you could easily increase sales and productivity as you now have a local number that customers can call. This would also reduce the need for a toll free number.

Installing and Activating Your VoIP Features

Your VoIP service plan comes with an array of added features. For residential plans, these could mean Caller ID, Voicemail, Call Forwarding, Call Block and Do Not Disturb. Constantly check with your service provider to get a full listing of features that come with your chosen plan. If you opt for a business plan, you would enjoy services like free fax lines, multi phone users, and integrated VoIP and web features. VoIP also provides the same features in the basic plans. Again remember that when deciding on your service provider, compare the various plans available and choose one that best fits your needs.

Accessorising

As VoIP gets more and more advanced, a whole new group of accessories are introduced in the market. Today, you have the luxury of choosing from many types of VoIP phones, headsets, even VoIP videophones that incorporate your audio with video.

Enjoying Your VoIP Service

Now that you have everything you need, you can start enjoying your VoIP service. Regardless if you choose the basic or unlimited plan, you will realise that with VoIP, you now enjoy more freedom, reliability and greater standards of quality, not to mention the most cost effective method in meeting all of your telecommunications needs than you ever thought possible.

Juzaily Ramli is the owner of the site that provides VoIP tutorial to get people to switch to and get started on VoIP. He also writes about business VoIP targeted to those who are running their own business to increase their productivity. His site can be found at http://www.voip-revolution-info-site.com

Outstanding VoIP Voicemail Features Makes Getting VoIP Voicemail Extremely Convenient

2008-09-15T14:18:00.001-07:00

By Chris Landry

There are many types of VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) protocols that are employed by the VoIP providers currently providing VoIP calling plans. Luckily for the consumers, the VoIP providers have listened to what functions the consumers want in their Voicemails. Almost all of the VoIP providers provide Voicemail with the standard VoIP calling plan. The special feature of the VoIP voicemail plan is in how the consumer can access his/her VoIP voicemail message.

In general, there are 4 ways in which a VoIP consumer can access their voicemail. When you add the four ways up, you will be able to access your voicemail from virtually anywhere.

First, you can access your voicemail through your primary VoIP telephone by dialing *123 or some other combination of numbers (VoIP voicemail access code varies by provider). The automatic attendant will let you know how many voicemails you have and walk you through retrieving all of your new voicemails and saving/deleting your old emails. It is quite a slick system.

The second method is via a local voicemail access number, where you can call a local telephone number from any telephone (Cell phone/Land line/ VoIP phone). When you dial into your local voicemail access number, the auto attendant will ask for you to punch in your VoIP phone number and password to be able to access your VoIP voicemail system.

The third method is through your VoIP provider online account management portal. You can go to your Provider�s VoIP homepage and access the �Customer Login� portal by typing in your username and password. Once into the portal, click on the Voicemail tab and you can listen to your new voicemails over Internet connection.

The fourth method, and possibly the most useful, is every time you get a new VoIP voicemail, you are sent an email. That email will state that you have a new voicemail from your VoIP account, the date the voicemail was received, and an attachment of the voicemail as a .wav file. One outstanding feature is that you can save the .wav file on your computer�s hard drive and email the voicemail to friends, family, or coworkers.

The above are generally how most VoIP providers give consumers access to their voicemail (but not all). Be sure to check each VoIP provider for how they provide their consumers access to their voicemail.

VoIP voicemail service is only one of the things to consider before choosing a VoIP solution. In fact, there are many things to consider when choosing a VoIP provider. An educated consumer generally results in a satisfied consumer. Please see our VoIP: Things to consider article to find a list of more things to consider when choosing a VoIP provider. You can Compare VoIP providers side-by-side at www.VoIPChoices.com.

Chris Landry is the foremost authority on residential and small business VoIP providers. Chris is the founder of http://www.VoIPChoices.com. Chris has prequalified several high-quality VoIP providers and compares them by price and features at http://www.VoIPChoices.com. Chris can be reach via email at Chris@VoIPChoices.com.

VoIP Phone Reviews

2008-09-08T14:15:00.001-07:00

By Bob Hett

VoIP is the fastest growing internet communication service. With features and services not normally found in traditional landlines, it is fast becoming the number one choice of people.

At first, people have been skeptical to use VoIP but soon found out the effectiveness and convenience of VoIP.

VoIP phones are now changing people�s perspective on the use of telephone. If you want a phone, it can be a good choice.

VoIP offers standard features that regular landline phones often charges extra. For instance, free or low cost long distance calls are often not available in regular landlines. This is because VoIP uses the internet to make a call. Since the internet offers free information, and fast communication, VoIP phones take advantage of this feature to transmit the calls free.

With a VoIP phone, you can take your personal number wherever you are. You can make and receive phone calls from your number even if you are traveling as long as there is an active internet connection to where you are going.

There are many VoIP broadband phone provider in the market today, choosing the right one would be very beneficial for your business or personal for your use.

Here are some of the things you should look for when choosing VoIP service providers:

Audio Quality

Recent advancement in technology allows better sound quality with reduced noise. This means that a VoIP service provider should have excellent audio quality when making calls. If you experience lags or delays in your phone calls, you should think twice before subscribing to the company another time.

Little or no delay transmission is needed for your voice to reach the person you are calling. A one-second delay can mean the difference of making a simple answer of �yes� or �no�. Remember that voice delays can mean misunderstanding, and precise answers are extremely important in businesses.

Reliability

Imagine making an important business deal or talking to your family and friends and your call is suddenly cut off. This is a bad sign that your service provider is not making sure that you get your money�s worth.

Get a VoIP service provider that offers maximum reliability and free try out periods to ensure you that they give the best service to their subscribers. Although cheap rates are attractive, try their services first before committing.

Customer Service

VoIP service providers should offer customer support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This can help you if you ever have problems using VoIP.

The customer assistance service should be quick and take care of their subscribers immediately after making the call. Know if the VoIP service providers you are planning on subscribing have customer assistance. Customer service can be found in the VoIP service providers or by calling them.

Features

VoIP service providers should offer standard features like; free long distance calls, emails, fax, web conferencing, and videophone and others for no extra fee at all. Still quite a few VoIP service providers out there charge for these extra features. Get a VoIP service provider that offers maximum standard features free.

Price

VoIP is supposed to be free or cheap. Get a VoIP service provider that offer free long distance and low monthly payments. Make sure that not only it should be cheap but also offers quality service. Most providers offer trial periods, use this to determine if it is worth spending you hard earned cash.

However convenient it might be to own a VoIP phone, there are still drawbacks for it. For example, you should have a high-speed internet connected.

Since VoIP phones depends on your internet connection, this means that disconnected internet, no VoIP service. Slow internet connection is also a factor. With slow internet connection, expect audio delays.

It is wise that before getting a VoIP phone, you should determine that the internet connection in your area is broadband and reliable.

Here are some of the top VoIP service providers:

Vonage

Sunrocket

VoIP.net

Time Warner Cable

Packet8

If the following companies do not cover your area, you can always find VoIP providers in your area. Just make sure they offer quality services and choose one used by your family and friends so you can call them free, wherever they are.

Bob Hett has extensively covered the VoIP Service Provider industry as an analyst and has researched the various companies for factors based on price, reliability, support and overall quality. Learn more at VoIP Phones.

Cheapest Solution in VoIP Broadband Phone Service

2008-09-01T14:14:00.001-07:00

By Daymon Hoag

VoIP is an abbreviation for voice over Internet protocol. It
is easy to confuse VoIP with broadband phone service. Though
broadband phone service uses the voice over Internet
protocol to send and receive phone calls, it is not actually
VoIP. As of now, VoIP basically comes in three forms,
PC-to-PC, PC-to-Phone, and Broadband telephone service.

You may have used the most common PC-to-PC or PC-to-phone
VoIP services without even realizing it. Have you ever used
Yahoo Messenger to call someones computer? If you have,
you've used Yahoo's free PC-to-PC VoIP service.
Additionally, Yahoo Messenger allows you to call someones
home telephone from your computer for a small fee. This is
called PC-to-Phone VoIP.

Broadband phone service also uses VoIP but allows you to
make and receive calls on your home telephone the same way
you always have. While PC-to-Phone, and PC-to-PC only
require a software download to use the service, you'll need
a broadband phone adaptor to be able to use your home
telephone with VoIP. Once installed, broadband phone service
is very much like a traditional land line with just a few
exceptions.

Now we know VoIP is the means of transmitting voice data
over the Internet, and PC-to-Phone, PC-to-PC, or broadband
telephone are the VoIP hardware and software solutions for
VoIP. Armed with that information, which is the cheapest
solution in VoIP for you? Free VoIP is not always the
cheapest solution in VoIP. Let me explain.

As mentioned before, PC-to-PC VoIP is often times free with
Popular Instant Messenger clients such as Yahoo Messenger,
MSN Messenger, and now, Google Talk. These messengers
provide an excellent free service which allows you to talk
to friends and family over long distances through your home
computer and speakers or headset.

What if you need to call someones home telephone or business
phone? That's where PC-to-Phone Voip comes in. PC-to-Phone
allows you to call a telephone from your computer. Though
PC-to-Phone isn't free it's very cheap, sometimes around 1
cent per minute or less. Examples of Popular PC-to-Phone
VoIP services are offered by Yahoo Messenger and Skype.

Broadband telephone service allows you to make and receive
phone calls without the aid of you're computer. Broadband
telephone is hyper popular since it cuts out the telcos and
dramatically reduces your phone bill. Some VoIP companies
offer unlimited local plus long distance calling for a flat
fee of less than 20 dollars per month.

As with anything else, the cheapest solution for VoIP is
going to be determined by your usage of the service. If
using your computer to talk with your contacts does not
bother you, by all means use PC-to-PC or PC-to-Phone. If you
want to reduce your phone bill, and enjoy the convenience of
talking on a normal phone, broadband telephone is going to
be the cheapest solution in VoIP.

Daymon Hoag is the founder of Cheapest Service where you can shop for Over Internet Phone Service

Voice Over IP - Understanding What VoIP Has To Offer

2008-08-25T14:11:00.000-07:00

By Frank Owen

Advantages and Features of VoIP

Studies suggest that millions of households will soon be using VoIP phone services in the next couple of years. One of the reasons VoIP is catching on so fast is it offers a wealth of features and advantages over traditional phone services. Here is just a brief review of some of the benefits and features VoIP has to offer:

Cost savings

VoIP technology allows consumers to save money. Most companies currently offering VoIP offer plans that are less expensive than many cell phone plans.

Competitive Features

Companies providing VoIP services are offering plans that include standard features like Caller ID, Call waiting, Repeat Dial and Three Way Calling.

Voicemail Superiority

You can check your mail while surfing the Web when using VoIP technology. Better yet you can attach messages to emails using VoIP and send them directly to consumers.

Flexibility

You can call someone from anywhere you have broadband access when using VoIP technology. That means if you travel frequently for business you can take an IP phone with you and access your home phone if you need to. You can also attach a phone to your laptop and place calls from anywhere in the world while connecting to the Net. This is a very appealing option for business consumers in particular.

Last but not least the technology VoIP uses is extremely efficient, meaning your calls are placed through non congested and inexpensive lines. This allows computers to communicate with one another and accept information relatively easily, without long waits or disconnects.

Article by Frank Owen, visit his web site on voice over ip for more information on voip http://www.voipresourcehub.com

VoIP: The New Age Telephone Service

2008-08-18T14:10:00.001-07:00

By Alen Wilson

In simple words, VoIP or Voice over Internet Protocol is a technology that allows one to make phone calls over a broadband internet connection. With the help of high speed internet connection and by installing certain VoIP software as well as hardware, people can talk unlimited at limited costs.

To make a call using VoIP technology you need:

Voip hardware :- VoIP hardware is basically an analogue telephone adaptor (ATA) which connects your phone to your broadband modem. This doesn�t require your computer to be on while making or receiving calls. The most popular application of VoIP works only with an ATA. An ATA converts analog signals to digital signals. Most VoIP service providers include the ATA in their VoIP products, but some require you to buy or rent an ATA.

The other hardware based option is an IP phone, which is similar to a standard telephone but includes an in built ATA adapter. The IP phone is connected directly to the router with a standard RJ-45 Ethernet connector. You can purchase calling cards from your VoIP service provider to start talking through this medium.

VoIP software :- Software-based VoIP works a little differently. VoIP software like Skype, Asterik works through your computer with a microphone, and your computer has to be switched on to receive calls. The most basic VoIP software allows two people with the same installed software to call each other over the Internet. Callers can set up a phone book and can make calls to other users.

VoIP services are comparatively cheaper than traditional calls. So, the next time you want to make long distance phone calls or international calls use VoIP.

VoIP Phone service
Alen voip-traffic.com

Make Cheap Mobile Calls - Cheap International Calls Using Your Mobile Phone

2008-07-28T14:17:00.001-07:00

By Eyal Barzilay

These days people are used to connecting with each other via the net at light speed. Connecting with people over the net does not cost us any money too. These facts lead telephone users to look for services that would enable them to make long distance and international calls at ease and cheap.

Cheap calls can be made using the net too. Still these techniques require the caller and the call receiver to sit by the computer, headset on and make the call at a preset date and time. Not convenient, not easy, no fun.

This is why many are looking for alternative cheap call service providers to make long distance and international calls at lowest possible rates.

VoIP (voice over internet protocol) had become a household term. Most people are aware of the possibility to make cheap calls to destination of their choice using a Wi-Fi phone and a wireless internet connection. Advanced Voip technology enables you to not only hold clear, uninterrupted phone conversations over the net, you can also save money on your standard phone bill. This is especially true when dialing internationally with notoriously expensive mobile phone calls

This is a great way to make cheap calls, but what happens when you're out of your home, out of Wi-Fi range?

That is what phone service provider companies are offering - the exact solution for this problem.

The goal of telecom is to provide the caller with cheap call rates, using his mobile, from anywhere in the world to anywhere in the world for lowest costs possible.

You can make cheap calls to UK, cheap calls to Finland, cheap calls to any country of your choice using such technologies. You can save up to 90% off your phone bill.

Secret is using internet technology without needing a computer or even a near by internet connection. Some companies offer a service with which subscribers use any touch-tone telephone to dial a local access number, followed by an identity code and the number they wish to reach. Some have the ability for the local access server to identify the caller and save the need to punch in any identity codes, just a 1 touch speed call using any cell phone.

Yes. These services are already available to be used in making cheap mobile calls.

All you need is to get informed.

On my quest for cheap mobile calls, I have researched the subject and found the most reliable service providers that offer cheap mobile calls, cheap international calls and cheap long distance calls that I am proud to feature on my blog.

On a quest for finding cheap mobile call rates world wide, Eyal Barzilay had researched the cheap call service providers and published his findings on Cheap Mobile Calls. He also added a Comparison Between The 2 Leading Companies

VoIP Solutions - The New Age Telephony

2008-07-21T14:15:00.001-07:00

By Kristen Kiya

Voice over Internet Protocol(VoIP) is a more common term of 'phone over the Internet'. If you have a reasonable quality Internet connection then you can get phone services delivered to your Internet connection. Before reaching the destination, the technology converts voice into regular telephonic signal. By using this service, you can directly make calls from your computer with the help of a special VoIP phone or a traditional phone connected to a special adapter. This function can either be included into the phone itself or in a separated box like a Analog Terminal Adapter(ATA).

Some people use VoIP solutions along with their traditional phone service, though VoIP solution providers usually offer lower rates than the traditional companies. Sometimes VoIP phone calls (even international) can be absolutely FREE. Several service providers are present who provide these type of "free" facilities. Examples are: 'Free World Dial up' and 'Skype'. The service providers sometime permit to select an area code different from the area. On the other side, some VoIP providers do charge for a long distance call for outside calling area, just like the traditional wireless telephone service. And some VoIP solution providers permit you to call anywhere at a flat rate for a fixed number for a minute.

The VoIP-to-VoIP phone calls are sometimes free while VoIP calls connecting to Public Switching Telephone Network (VoIP-to-PSTN) may have an attached cost that is charged by the VoIP service provider.

There are three categories of VoIP service provider. These are, Single line resident/business plans service provider, B2B service provider-bulk organisational/terminal service provider (Business VoIP solutions) and RIP VoIP service provider.

You can use your computer while talking on the VoIP phone and some service provider offers service that can be used where a high speed Internet connection is not available. Using VoIP service in a new location may affect your ability to connect directly to emergency services. So, be ready to use the services of VoIP solutions but with due care.

For more information, visit: VoIP Solutions offered by one of the best VoIP Provider.

VOIP Innovations - VOIP Call Center - VOIP Web Conferencing And More

2008-07-14T14:14:00.001-07:00

By Oliver Turner

Voip services have taken the world by a storm mainly due to its low cost. Many experts in the field of communication feel that voice over Internet protocol will replace the existing telephone system. New innovations like voip call center and voip web conferencing are saving both time and money of several big and small organizations. Business establishments have clearly identified the potential of voip services and are investing more in Voip than in any other communication sector.

Travel expenses and time, the two main concerns of main organizations, have been satisfactorily dealt by Voip web conferencing. Voip web conferencing reduces cost on travel by collaborating in real time with several people at a time and sharing the work and ideas. This saves time which unfortunately is a rare commodity for several corporate organizations. Geographical limits are no longer a problem for business establishments as voip web conferencing allows visual and vocal communication with anyone in any part of the world. Voip web conferencing can be saved for a later date or distributed to those unable to attend the particular meeting. Contentious issues can be put to poll immediately through Voip web conferencing.

Voip is revolutionizing the way call centers are managed. The use of Voip services allows call centers to route calls to home workers and other sub centers. The use of Voip services has led to tremendous growth in call center business as it allows easy expansion at low cost. Today, call centers using Voip services can work from anywhere with the service of a voip broadband phone provider. Voip services can integrate with other services available over the Internet. This includes video conversation, data exchange parallel with the conversation, audio conferencing and managing address books. The potential of voip are many and when in full use it will totally revolutionize the way people communicate.

Find more about Voice Over IP on http://www.LeanderNet.com/Voice-over-ip/Voice-over-ip . More useful content on LeanderNet - http://www.LeanderNet.com

About VOIP

2008-07-07T14:11:00.001-07:00

By Donovan Baldwin

VOIP is a hot topic these days, but what exacty is VOIP and VOIP service? It is a method of using the internet to carry phone calls. The term, "VOIP", stands for Voice Over Internet Protocol.

Why use a VOIP service? Probably cost is one of the main considerations as VOIP is less expensive than many other telephone service options. The cost of VOIP service is similar to the cost of sending email. You must pay to have an internet service, but after that, your usage is free. In some instances, savings of up to 90% over regular long distance and other telephone services can be recognized.

Can my business use VOIP service? Anybody with an internet connection has the basic capability to use a VOIP service, and benefit from the cost savings associated with VOIP.

Can VOIP be used for long distance calls, and how about international long distance? Certainly. In fact, that is one of the primary arguments in favor of any VOIP service. The savings can be quite significant when a VOIP service is used for business or personal long distance calls. If you are now making international long distance calls for businesss or personal reasons, you should see immediate savings on your long distance telephone charges.

Is VOIP legal. Yes, it is a legal and acceptable alternative to standard telephone and long distance calling systems.

Will DSL or Broadband access enhance my VOIP service? Absoulutely. high speed internet services, such as DSL or Broadband, allow the use of multiple phone lines. This would be of particular importance to a business user.

Would VOIP work for an internal business network? As a matter of fact, many businesses have used it successfully for exactly that purpose, in addition to using it for external business contacts.

The author is retired from the Army after 21 years of service. He has worked as an accountant, purchasing agent, optical lab manager, restaurant manager, instructor and long-haul, over-the-road truck driver. He has been a member of Mensa for several years, and has written and published poetry, essays, and articles on various subjects for the last 40 years. He has been an active internet marketer since 2000, and now makes his living online. He has an online store specializing in communications products at http://texasprepaidcellular.com

Voice Over IP Frequently Asked Questions

2008-06-30T14:12:00.001-07:00

By Julian Marcellino

What is VoIP?

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is the process of making voice calls over an internet connection as opposed to a traditional landline. VoIP calls can be made from both a computer, and a regular (VoIP enabled) phone (the regular phone also connects to the internet). With a regular VoIP enabled phone, no computer is required!

Why is VoIP relatively inexpensive?

VoIP is cheaper because it uses the infrastructure of the internet to make calls. For that reason, it is just like Instant Messaging or any other internet-based application. As you can imagine, it is cheaper to connect to someone via the internet than via landline routing. Also, VoIP is completely free if two people with VoIP connect to each other!

If VoIP is similar to email and IM, why isn't it free?

VoIP (as mentioned above) is free if you're connecting to someone else with VoIP. However, using VoIP to connect to a cell phone or landline still requires connection to that line, which is the part that costs money-although it's still usually cheaper.

What are the advantages of VoIP?

The shift towards VoIP is driven by the significantly lower cost of the service as opposed to traditional landlines. However, there are also a tonne of other benefits when using VoIP. For example, VoIP being an internet service means that you can take your 'phone number' wherever you go. VoIP also allows increased flexibility with the number you have whereby you can may be based in the UK but you can have a local NYC number (good for business users).

What are the disadvantages of VoIP?

Although VoIP has many advantages, it also has some disadvantages. The major one being that VoIP services don't work during power outages. However, it's possible to purchase backup systems for VoIP, and many large companies do so. Also, some providers don't offer phonebook listings with their VoIP services.

Want to find out more?

Thanks for reading Voice Over IP Frequently Asked Questions. Want to find out more? Visit entirelyvoip.com for more information on Voice Over IP and VoIP providers!

A Basic Insight Into The Technology Behind VoIP Phones

2008-06-23T14:27:00.001-07:00

By Dennis Jaylon

Top Six Benefits of Business Outsourcing

2008-06-16T14:23:00.001-07:00

By Taitelul Verde

Small businesses can benefit from business outsourcing. Rather than focusing exclusively on the costs of outsourcing certain activities of your business, you should also consider the benefits such a change would bring.

Cost Reduction

Business outsourcing can help lower your business's expenses. Let's say you have ai clothing business. The equipment you're using is not the best in the line, and it contributes to increasing your production costs. But what if you simply outsource your equipment needs instead? Would you be able to lower your production costs?

Labor costs can be reduced as well. Rather than hiring temporary or project-based employees, why not simply outsource your human resource needs to BPO vendors who know exactly what they're doing? Working with an experienced frm will ensure that you don't have to waste time going through dozens of applicants just to find a perfect fit.

No Waste of Time

Business outsourcing let you take on projects right away and start on them immediately. Rather than spending time amassing your resources, you can simply approach a BPO vendor and they'll provide you with all the resources you need for a fixed cost. The BPO vendor will take care of everything, from screening applicants to training them for their new job. All you need to do is simply give the BPO vendor an idea of what your needs are.

Improved Efficiency

Consider how your business operates. Is marketing research and development or product distribution slowing you down? If none of them make up your company's core competencies then nothing is stopping you from outsourcing them. By contracting such functions to a trusted third party, your company's efficiency is improved two-fold: you have more time to focus on more important activities while contracted activities are performed at an even more efficient rate since they have greater resources and expertise than you do in those fields.

Act Big

Small businesses are David and the big scary corporations are Goliath. But David managed to beat Goliath, didn't he? And all he had was a sling. In the world of business, BPO vendors are the ones that could provide you with the exact kind of sling you need to defeat your competitors. With the help of business outsourcing, you'll be able to level the playing field and maybe even face down the competition in time.

Lower Risk

Almost everything in business comes with a certain degree of risk. Of course, the lower the risk, the better your position is. Business outsourcing can reduce the risk you're taking in various ways. When you're entering a new market, you can let a local BPO firm handle marketing research and development for you and you'll be privy to insider's knowledge.

Building Your Reputation

You've graduated from a culinary school with flying honors and you bake the best brownies in town. You want to go into business but you don't know how to package and distribute your product effectively. Rather than force your customers to tolerate your bungling efforts, why not outsource your needs to a firm with the kind of expertise that will impress your customers?

By outsourcing your needs to experts, you're able to quickly build a name for yourself and be known not just for having the best brownies but ones that come in an excellent package, too!

These are not the only benefits of business outsourcing, but they'll more than do for a start, don't they?

Increase the visibility of your site with the help of our free directory We also offer a many SEO services at affordable prices, like manual directory submission, French and German directory submissions, blog posting and many more. Check our website http://www.pegasusdirectory.com

VoIP Tutorial - Understanding VoIP

2008-06-14T20:17:00.001-07:00

By Paul Hegarty

VoIP is fast becoming the replacement technology for voice communication. However many people still have questions as to how it works? VoIP costs less than your traditional phone service, this is what makes it attractive to most consumers. Not only does it cost less than your traditional phone service it also costs less than the vast majority of monthly cell phone plans.

The number of VoIP providers is increasing giving you more choices and better calling plans. VoIP is still at its developmental stage. The VoIP service is available for both commercial and residential use, ranging from PC-to-PC service, all the way up to phone-to-phone. The following are the basic features of VoIP.

Anybody with an internet connection has the basic capability to use a VoIP service and benefit from the cost savings associated with VoIP. A basic plan that offers a number of long-distance minutes is very inexpensive and if that's what you need then VoIP will work perfectly for you.

VOIP is a method which takes voice phone calls and then encodes them digitally. Basically VoIP is the protocol that is used to send your voice over the internet. The VoIP technology transmits your voice over what is called an IP network.

Most everyone agrees that VoIP is the future of voice and data communications.. By the looks of it VoIP is going to continue to grow and expand. VoIP is the Wave of the Future--�and the Present. Although you may be intimidated by this new technology at present, my advice would be to learn more about this new service as it seems this technology is here to stay.

Paul Hegarty is the owner of The-VoIP-Buzz.com where you can have nationwide calling for as low as $19.95 a month. Start your VoIP, service today.

Learn more about VoIP with the VoIP Tutorial. Read more about voice over or VoIP.

VoIP Phone Service - What Is It?

2008-05-08T14:15:00.001-07:00

By Jim Francisto

Voice over Internet Protocol Phone service is known among people these days. VoIP or Voice over Internet Protocol phone service is a service, which transfers your voice to the listener through the Internet. Voice is carried between the senders and receivers through IP packets. Specialized hardware is necessary for such phone facility.

With VoIP, you can call and also receive phone calls. This happens through a broadband connection. Using a Digital Terminal Adapter, you can use the VoIP phone service. You can connect several phones to your DTA box and use the phones at different locations. So, you can answer your calls from various places of your house.

How does it work?

VoIP works by digitalizing the voice. It digitalizes the voice and sends it in packets to the destinations where the digitalized voice is again reconverted to the normal voice. The digital form of voice can be compressed if necessary, routed and converted to other formats. These digital signals are superior because they can tolerate noise. VoIP sends the packets of digital data through networks using TCP/IP protocol.

Advantages

Transportability - You can use your Voice over Internet Protocol at any place. The DTA gets a phone number, after which you can use it with any broadband Internet connection. Just plug it and make and receive calls. You can use your DTA to call and receive calls around your country. In some cases the DTA works in other countries too.

Features

With VoIP phone service, you get several other functionality along with. The functionality that you get are voice mail, 3-way calling, Caller ID, Call Forwarding, Call Waiting, and On-Line Account Management.

There is no cost to these additions. You can simply get these features by updating the software.

Reliability and Quality

VoIP is reliable and quality is generally better. But, sometimes you may face problems like need to reboot the DTA, delay, voice quality problems etc, which can be corrected simply by tuning the network.

In case of VoIP phone service, you do not have to pay for the time you use. But in case of PSTN and other call services, you need to pay for the time you use the service. Again, you can talk to many persons at a time, transfer images, videos, and texts.

Both individual and businesses can use VoIP phone services. This will save a lot of money and time. But it's important to select the right VoIP phone service which best fits your needs.

Jim Francisto
has a master degree in IT and is a technical writer and business consultant
Voip Phone Services
Voip Providers
Voip Reviews

Explore VOIP Phone Systems

2008-05-07T14:16:00.001-07:00

By Harry Rockwell

The way we make phone calls is changing. In fact in many circumstances things have already changed. Take long distance calls for instance, many service providers are already using a technology called Voice Over IP or VOIP for short. If you have never heard of VOIP before, then the following article will change the way you think about how long distance phone calls are being made now, and about how all phone calls will be made in the future. Voice Over IP (VOIP) is a method for turning analogue audio signals into digital data that can be transferred over the internet.

You may be asking yourself how this is useful. Well think about it for a few seconds. If it is possible to turn analogue signals into digital data, then VOIP can turn a standard internet connection into a method for placing phone calls anywhere in the world virtually free, except for your internet service fee, enabling you to bypass the phone companies entirely.

Voice Over IP (VOIP) has the potential to completely revolutionise the way the worlds phone systems operate. There are many VOIP service providers that have been around for a while, and are growing steadily. Now the worlds leading telecommunications operators are waking up to the endless possibilities of this new technology, setting up VOIP calling centres around the world and promoting the sales of Voice Over IP phone systems.

voip - Take advantage of information on voip, voip service, conference software, providers, and voip providers. You will enjoy the research of voip netorking and providers.

VoIP in India Phone Market

2008-05-06T14:15:00.001-07:00

By Preeti Doval

The VoIP phone market is growing at a phenomenal rate globally and the India phone market could not be left far behind. VoIP is picking up in the India phone market and it is expected to be the second largest market in the APAC after China. Looking at the numerous advantages that this technology offers this trend was certainly expected. The huge cost savings and the feature rich communication solution that this technology offers cannot be matched by traditional telephony.

As per the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), approximately 160 million minutes of VoIP communication took place from June 04 to July 05 as compared to approximately 84 million minutes over the same period in the previous year. This growth rate is expected to speed up further in the coming years.

Growth of VoIP in the India phone market can be attributed to a large number of factors. Cheap and easy availability of broadband connections is one of the major factors that is driving this growth.

Today all major telecom operators in India are offering broadband connections at affordable rates thus empowering the user with high-speed Internet connections and favoring VoIP usage. According to the Internet Service Providers Association of India (ISPAI), there were 5.9 million Internet subscribers and 3.9 lakh broadband connections, as on June 2005. The revenues from the Internet and Internet Telephony services for the first quarter in financial year 2005-06 amounted to approximately Rs 550 crore.

Another important factor is PC penetration, which has grown tremendously over the last decade in the country. Moreover, user awareness and acceptance has led to increased usage of VoIP.

The individual market in India is still gearing up but many of the large enterprises have already migrated to VoIP to make long distance calls and for internal communications.

Though VoIP usage is growing in the India phone market but a major factor that has restricted its growth is that use of this technology is still not fully legalized in India. VoIP in India is allowed for PC in India to a phone abroad, PC to PC anywhere and a SIP/H.323 device to a similar device in India or abroad. This means that the call cannot terminate at a normal phone within the country.

These restrictions have been imposed to protect the interests of International and National Long Distance operators who have paid huge license fees and continue to pay for their services.
Currently organizations like ISPAI are seeking unrestricted telephony access that would allow users to make calls from both mobile and landline numbers. Industry experts also feel that in rural areas, where laying cable is not possible, technology like Wi-Max should be allowed and ISPs should be given the flexibility to offer these services.

Once the government removes these restrictions and legalizes VoIP fully in India, the India phone market will undergo a major change. The service providers will be able to capitalize on the tremendous potential available in the country. The users and the industry will rejoice and reap the benefits of this new technology.

Copyright 2005 Bart Bartolozzi
About The Author :
Bart Bartolozzi is a strategic VoIP consultant with Blueskyphone and an expert on VoIP technology with over 15 years experience coordinating the development and marketing of new telecom and IT services and solutions. Mr. Bartolozzi has been dedicated to the development of the Voice over IP industry since its inception and has been responsible for expanding the use of IP technology for international arbitrage, PBX replacement, call center applications, and voice enhanced services for carriers, retail consumers and enterprise customers.
bart@eztelusa.com Article Source: http://www.blueskyphone.com

Make Free Internet Phone Calls With VoIP And Save A Ton Of Money On Phone Bills

2008-05-05T14:17:00.001-07:00

By Clair Sandra

Have you heard all the buzz about VoIP?

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is an emerging technology which allows you to make telephone calls over the Internet � many times for free. It is already starting to replace existing telephone networks, with many people and businesses choosing to cancel their traditional phone line and use VoIP instead. Why? Price. Consumer are finding that they can save a lot of money using VoIP technologies.

Originally developed to provide voice communication between computer users in different locations, in recent years, VoIP has been further developed into a telephone network in its own right. People using VoIP can call any telephone anywhere in the world and can receive calls on telephone sets connected to the Internet.

Currently, there are quite a few VoIP services available for consumers to choose from. Some of these still rely on PC-to-PC connections but many VoIP providers offer other services such as PC-to-phone and phone-to-phone connection.

In order to use VoIP, both parties need a broadband connection. This is a high-speed Internet connection usually provided by a cable or DSL modem- broadband modems are usually used to connect computers to the Internet.

The simplest form of VoIP is a computer-to-computer voice connection. This is also the type of connection which allows users to make free phone calls over the Internet.

All that is required to make your first free call over the Internet is a computer, a headset consisting of earphones and microphone, and VoIP software. The VoIP software can be downloaded from the service provider�s site. The best thing is that most software packages are free and allow you to connect to any computer running the same software.

There is no charge for this type of connection and calls can be made to anywhere in the world free of charge. If you choose you could also use an Internet telephone that plugs into the sound card or USB port on your computer. However, this is an additional expense which is really not necessary.

Until recently, the major disadvantage with computer-to-computer calls was that both parties had to have the same kind of software installed in order to make a connection; but things are changing now and emerging technology is beginning to allow users to make calls to users utilizing different VoIP software. Almost every software package, however, has the ability to connect with landline or cellular phones.

How It Works

Although each VoIP software package is different, most VoIP software function the same way. Usually, you can call another person on the network by typing in their user name or number. If that person is online they will see a popup box alerting them that you want to talk. The other party can see who is calling and can choose to either accept or reject the call.

Before the popup appears, however, there has already been some communication between the two computers. The VoIP software has information about the speed of your Internet connection and the type of code that can be used to compress and decompress audio data. When a call request is made, both computers negotiate which code is going to be used to make allowances for the connection speed.

Other types of VoIP Services are available which allow you to make PC-to-Phone connections, and also calls that do not involve the use of your computer at all. Although these premium services vary in price, in most cases by using VoIP technology you will be saving a significant amount of money on your phone bills each month.

We show you how You CAN make cheap international calls and lower your phone bills through the use of cheap prepaid phone cards, call back services, cheap international phone cards, dial-arounds, VoIP, internet calling and more at http://www.make-cheap-international-phone-calls.com

How To Get More From Your VOIP Phone With Non-VOIP Friends

2008-05-04T14:14:00.001-07:00

By Jon Arnold

Having a VOIP phone is absolutely good news. No more worrying about how long you�ve been talking to grandma or Aunt Louise at the other end of the country, knowing that your long distance bill at the end of the month may require a second mortgage. As a bit of background, a VOIP phone allows you to make and receive calls via your high-speed Internet connection, where a majority of households already have a high-speed Internet connection anyway, and this is just making additional use of it. VOIP phone service works exactly like a traditional phone, except that with most VOIP services, the price includes �unlimited� long distance minutes within the continental US. And all this for a price that is frequently lower than just the cost of getting a plain old dial tone from the phone company.

Oh, that �unlimited� thing? It�s not really unlimited. Most VOIP services will start to question you when you exceed about 3000 to 4000 long distance minutes in a month, thinking that maybe you are using it for business or perhaps even using an auto-dialer with it. But even so, unless you are a convicted talkaholic, that is more than enough minutes per month for most residential users. I mean, that is almost 2 hours of talk time every day for the entire month.

The biggest problem with VOIP, about 99% of the time, is not the VOIP service, but a crummy high-speed connection. Cable Internet is generally pretty good because it does not have a distance limitation, but DSL can get incredibly poor if your home is too far away from the DSL provider, like more than about 2.5 to 3 miles.

Ok, let�s say that you have good VOIP service and a good reliable high-speed Internet connection, how can you make better use of your VOIP service? One way that very few customers are aware of is via the use of Virtual Numbers. Some VOIP vendors provide as many virtual numbers as you want for a couple dollars a month. Others like SunRocket provide a virtual number for free with the service. Let�s look at how these work to your benefit.

Say you live in Chicago, so your VOIP phone has a local Chicago number. Now say your sister lives in Seattle and your grandma lives in Houston. You can call them for free with your unlimited VOIP service, but if they call you, since they do not have VOIP phone service, they are paying long distance charges.

So you get two virtual numbers from your VOIP vendor, which gives you a Seattle number and a Houston number. Yes, you get phone numbers that are LOCAL to Seattle and Houston, but when someone calls that number, the call rings at your VOIP phone at your house in Chicago. So now your sister in Seattle can call a local Seattle phone number (your virtual number) and your grandma in Houston can call a local Houston number, and in both cases the call will ring up your VOIP phone in Chicago. Is that cool or what?

Check with your VOIP vendor to see what the cost of a virtual number is from them, and then determine if it is worth the cost based on the long distance charges that your long distance non-VOIP friends would incur. You�re already making use of the latest technology with your VOIP phone service, so now just make use of all the functionality that it can offer you to your benefit.

Jon is a computer engineer who maintains many websites to pass along his knowledge and findings. You can read more about VOIP Service and VOIP Phones at his web site at http://www.voipinsideinfo.com