VOIP, A Viable Option for Home or Business Phone Service
Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) is rapidly changing the way
people make phone calls. Most people have already made or
received calls over a VOIP connection without even knowing they
were talking over the Internet. This is the case because a VOIP
phone is just like a conventional phone except the signal is
digitalized and sent over the Internet rather than through a
conventional analog phone system. In most cases, the call
quality is as good or even better than a standard telephone.
Don't confuse VOIP with the older PC to Phone technology. With a
VOIP system a user does not need a personal computer with
headphones and a speaker in order to make a call. Instead, the
VOIP Service Provider provides an adapter (converter) that the
user connects to their high speed Internet cable and plugs in
their telephone. The box converts the analog signal from a
standard telephone to a digital signal that can be sent over the
Internet. All a user needs to make and receive calls are a
broadband or DSL Internet connection with a cable modem, an
adapter and a standard telephone. It is really that easy.
The big difference between VOIP and conventional phone service
is the cost. Consumers can get VOIP service for as little as $15
per month with limited long distance. VOIP service with
unlimited long distance to the USA and Canada starts at about
$20 per month. Similar conventional local service with unlimited
long distance can run as high as $70 per month. In most cases,
consumers can get a better call package that contains more
features and save a lot of money by switching to VOIP.
VOIP service can be purchased from large, established companies
like AT&T and Time Warner or smaller, relative newcomers like
Vonage and VOIPnetAdvantage. In general, the larger companies
charge significantly more money for similar service packages and
the same technology. Call quality does not change significantly
between companies because they all use the same or similar
adapters and the calls go over the Internet not wires, cables or
switches owned by the VOIP service provider.
As with all purchases, consumers should read the fine print when
purchasing VOIP service. The monthly charge, fees and taxes are
typically disclosed on the service provider's website but it is
often not easy to find and understand all of the charges. The
following are some questions to answer when shopping for VOIP
service.
* What does the service cost each month? Be sure and compare the
monthly cost of VOIP service from different service providers on
the same basis. For example, compare the cost of plans from
different companies that include local and unlimited long
distance in the USA and Canada (these are common). Don't compare
plans with monthly limits on long distance with those that have
unlimited long distance. * What is included in the monthly
service fee? Properly determine the monthly charge for the plans
being considered. Some service provider's charge a flat rate
each month, including all fees and taxes, while others advertise
a monthly rate but add on additional fees and taxes. * What does
it cost to set up service? Most VOIP service providers will
charge a shipping fee, to cover the cost of sending the adapter,
and an activation fee. Be sure to include any promotions like
free service for the first month. * What does it cost to cancel
service? Some companies charge nothing if service is canceled
while others charge a fee and may make the customer buy the
converter if it is not returned in "like new" condition. * Does
the service provider offer a guarantee? Some companies will
allow the user to try the service and not charge them if it is
canceled within a certain time period. * How much do
international calls cost? Some people never make international
calls while most people make international calls at some time.
Like conventional long distance, the cost for making
international calls is typically not included in the monthly
fee. The cost of international calls can vary significantly
between VOIP service providers.
Whether VOIP service is purchased from a large conglomerate or a
small company specializing in VOIP phone service, the monthly
cost savings will be significant when compared to conventional
phone service. This is true for either home or business use. In
most cases, the call quality will be crystal clear. All
consumers who have high speed Internet connections should
consider VOIP phone service.
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