VOIP for home use: Is that right for you?

VOIP has created so much hype that by now, everyone is aware about the fact that VOIP is a computer phone that allows you to make phone calls from your computer to anyone in the world. Over the next couple of years phone over Internet will be the norm for most homes and businesses. A VOIP provider can save you upto 75% on your telephone/long distance expenses. Even now, not everyone is sure how to go about this technology for home use and does it have any benefit for your family. So lets clear our doubts regarding this technology.

First of all, you must have a high-speed Internet connection, which can be, satellite, or DSL Internet. The high-speed connection is required for VOIP to function properly and dial up connection doesn't have the capacity to transfer voice without compromising on quality. Secondly, you need a gateway that is connected between your computer and Ethernet modem. The VOIP gateway is where your phone line will be plugged into. With gateways, you can be sure of getting improved voice quality.

VOIP is easy to use, and depending on the service and method you choose, installation can be as easy as downloading software or attaching an adaptor to your computer. With the elimination of long-distances charges, unregulated charges, and all the freebies that come standard with VOIP service, it can actually amount to a significant saving for you. For example, you may be paying extra for features like: Call waiting, three way calling, Call forwarding, Caller I.D, Repeat dial. If you don't want to leave out of the exciting face-to-face conversations with friends and relatives, get your videophone. One important thing to remember is that your gateway is reliant on electricity to function, which means power outages, will put your phone line out of service.

So, if you want to save money on your telephone service using the Internet, you will need to sign up with a VOIP service provider. Most providers allow you to call any phone number in the world for a moderately low fee. They also provide voicemail, call forwarding and conference calls, at no extra charge. Decision to choose VoIP depends on your needs. If you make a large number of long distance calls, it may be well worth looking into. VoIP services are often much less expensive than traditional providers.

Alen
xpert4u.co.uk
UK mobile phone directory

Select the best VOIP provider in UK

Consider the following points before selecting the best VOIP provider: Comparison of call charges of various VOIP providers:
The most important benefit of VOIP usage is cost savings, which motivates you to use VOIP. So, you should analyse the VOIP call rate list to ensure maximum cost advantage. Some VOIP companies offer plans with minute-rate charges while some offer plans for unlimited usage.

Another factor that you need to consider is the amount of time for which you may use the service in a month. If you do a lot of calling, you need a package from a provider with cheaper rates for heavy usage but if you are a light user, then the provider who offers a smaller package at lower cost will suit you better.

List the value added calling features offered by different providers Look at the value added features offered by various VoIP providers. Some additional features offered are caller ID, call waiting, call transfer, repeat dial, return call, 3-way calling, etc. There are some advanced call-filtering options that allow you to make a choice about how calls from a particular number are handled. You can forward a call to a particular number, send the call directly to voicemail, give the caller a busy signal, play a message, etc using this feature. But not all VOIP providers have this offer. So, select the one that offers the features that you need the most. Check the availability of Local Area Codes in Your Region Consider the states where the VoIP provider is providing local area codes, while choosing the service. The provider may claim to provide you with a number that you can use from anywhere but if the number isn't local, then most of your calls will be long distance. In that case, people in your local area will have to make long distance calls to talk to you. So you need to check the availability of area code in your region. Also, some providers offer access only to a limited number of country codes.

Confirm call coverage to other providers
Some VOIP providers offer services where calls can be made only to other VoIP users while others offer the facility for both VoIP users and those with regular phones. Many offer free calls to those who use the same service provider. So check these offers with respect to the associated costs.

Check the Availability of Access to Emergency Services
Confirm whether VOIP providers offer access to emergency services like 911. These emergency services should be able to trace your call to your physical location so that they can be of use. Confirm which providers are offering this facility before making a choice.

Determine the Quality of Service
Before selecting a VoIP provider, confirm which service provider has good quality of sound and interface. Take a look at published reviews for various VoIP services or talk to other users of the same service. Find out the ease and cost of installation

Lastly, find out what are the needs for setting up and installing the service. See if there are any additional costs or hidden costs. After you have worked on these points, go ahead and start using the service and enjoy the benefits of VOIP.

alen
xpert4u.co.uk
UK mobile phone directory

VoIP Features - A Lot of Extras for Free

I've been using VoIP internet phone service as my "one and only home phone service" for nearly a year now and absolutely LOVE it. Not only does VoIP save me a ton of money, but I get all sorts of free features that I never thought I'd use. I never knew how great extra features would be until I tried them, and now there are some that I just can't live without. The really neat thing about VoIP service is that providers keep adding new features for no extra charge! I'm quickly becoming a fan of new features - especially when they don't cost me any extra! I'm normally not one for a lot of bells and whistles that I know I'll never use, but some of the new goodies that Packet8 added recently are just fabulous.

For example, VOICEMAIL TO EMAIL NOTIFICATION is really sweet. As with all features, you manage this one via the online account management center ("command central" as I refer to it). You simply check a button to enable this and enter your email address. Now when I'm at work and get a voicemail on my home phone, I get an email from Packet8 that includes an audio file with the voicemail! I never have to miss a phone call again, and have the added benefit of being able to file away saved messages and forward messages to whoever I choose. This is a very cool feature!

Another useful feature is called NETWORK UNAVAILABLE FORWARDING. When enabled, if all phone calls that come in while your internet connection is down are automatically forwarded to another number. I use my cell phone for the forwarding number and never miss a call. Interestingly enough, my internet connection has only gone down once in the last year, and wouldn't you know it - it went down again 3 days after I enabled network unavailable forwarding. Because the internet connection was down, my VoIP phone was down too; but I never missed a call! Again, you turn this feature on in the account management center and enter a phone number that you want your calls forwarded to. This is a really handy feature and I think it will be especially great during those severe weather months when the power tends to go out a lot.

FOLLOW ME FIND ME is an interesting new feature that has the potential to be useful at times. When activated at the "command central", you can enter in up to five different phone numbers in the order you want them to ring. The idea is that if you don't answer your VoIP phone, the next number you designate (can be cell phone, another VoIP phone or a PSTN "land line" phone) will ring. If that phone isn't answered the next number in your list will ring, etc... I will probably only use this feature if I'm expecting a really important call, or maybe if someone close to me is ill and I need to take care not to miss a call.

Another feature that I think has some possibility for limited use is called SIMULTANEOUS RINGING ON MULTIPLE PHONE NUMBERS. When you activate this one, you enter in one or more phone numbers that you want to ring at the same time as your VoIP phone. I think this might be useful if you were frequently traveling between two or more places and wanted to be certain not to miss any calls. This might be a good safety feature to use if you're on vacation and want to make sure someone always answers the phone. The caller will never know that no one's home.

All VoIP providers offer a good feature package, but some companies give you more than others do. To quickly compare the price and features of several top VoIP internet phone service providers, see http://www.saveonphoneservice.com/Internet-phone-service-providers.htm. If you're looking into purchasing VoIP service, check out the latest coupons and special offers at: http://www.saveonphoneservice.com/VoIP-deal.htm.

Debbie Jacobsen is an IT professional and creator of http://www.saveonphoneservice.com - an informative website about internet phone service as well as a comparison of VoIP providers

The VOIP Revolution Is In Full Gear

It's no understatement to say that VOIP has completely transormed the telecom world. Nothing is the same as it was even a mere decade ago, and that's because VOIP has become the killer app of broadband that technologists predicted. When early pioneers saw the potential of using common and cheap TCP connections to complete voice telephone calls over IP connections, they could not have imagined the incredible momentum their invention would take on in such a short amount of time. As the cost of broadband access plummeted, VOIP calls became a reality for millions of users. Telecom industry insiders have recently begun saying that they feel 90% of all voice calls will be VOIP within 3-5 years. Let's take a look at what VOIP is and what it can do for you.

VOIP is a method which takes voice phone calls and then encodes them digitally. Once the call is digital it can be sent via the internet to a remote listener. What makes this invention so revolutionary is that all of this can be done on a normal personal computer using easily available software. Once phone calls between continents costs incredible sums of money. Now the same call is almost completely free. This innovation has changed how people live and how businesses operate and has helped to make the econony truly global. Since the cost of talking to someone in Bangladesh is just as cheap as talking to someone in Fresno, California, you have seen a revolution of jobs moving geographically and you've seen a boom in the outsourcing business. With VOIP, it no longer matters where you live, because you can talk to anyone in the world affordably.

VOIP really took off when companies made adapters that allowed existing phones to make VOIP calls. This invention, plus the proliferation of broadband connections has allowed VOIP to spread incredibly fast. Since people can hook up easily and begin making free long distance phone calls, you can believe that most people haven't had to think twice before making the switch to VOIP. Telephone companies have seen an enormous decline in demand for traditional long distance services in the last few years because of the dominance of IP Telephony. Since the user's internet connection isn't affected by VOIP, they can keep on surfing the Net while talking, so the need for additional landlines declined rapidly.

As IP Telephony has advanced, IP Telephones have increased in features. VOIP packages now routinely include more features than ever before. Although there is a charge for your internet connection, the calls themselves incur no additional charges using most calling plans, so most users look at VOIP as being essentially free. For frequent long distance callers, the cost savings have been enormous. One nice feature about a VOIP telephone is that you can take it with you when you travel, and your calls will automatically be routed to you. Traditional phone service could not have dreamed of offering a feature like that for free. In many years, IP telephony is now light years beyond the service offered to telophony customers, even business class ones, five years ago and less.

Like any other telecom package, VOIP deals from providers vary tremendously, so make sure you take a good look at the fine print before you sign up. You can find a very competively priced package if you look hard enough, so hold out for the most features. This is the year to step up to VOIP because of the competitive packages now available.

Please visit the VOIP Resource Section at the Cheap ISP headquarters

The Great Opportunity For VoIP Resellers

Making telephone calls over the Internet using voice over Internet protocol (VOIP) is an efficient and cost saving technology that is in a position to forever change telephone communications. VOIP is not a new phenomenon, having been in use in the business world for quite a few years. In the last couple of years, though, it has begun to catch on with consumers as a way to efficiently combine all their modes communication in their homes, for either their work lives or personal lives, and avoid paying high charges as they have with long distance companies. With the many products and services available to customers, it seems like a lucrative business to be a part of. VOIP resellers have the opportunity to pass reasonably priced products and services on to consumers while at the same time making a great profit and being a part of a communications revolution.

VOIP technology provides the customer with an exciting opportunity to experience low priced telephone service. Subscribers to VOIP services have a bevy of options from which they can choose. The ability to subscribe to VOIP is dependent on the customer having a reliable broadband Internet connection, and will require the customer to either purchase a few new pieces of equipment or software that will enable VOIP to work from the home computer. Customers can choose to use a specially equipped microphone hooked up to the computer, making the experience like that of a speakerphone. The customer can use his or her home telephone with the service, if he or she purchases an analog telephone adapter that converts the analog audio into digital data. They can also buy an IP phone that is plugs directly into the computer and is ready for immediate use. There is also a wireless option, and VOIP cell phones are beginning to make an appearance on the market. It's important for the customer to be aware that VOIP phone service isn't that dissimilar to traditional telephone service, except that the cabling has changed. Once the customer has the necessary equipment for VOIP, he or she then needs to search for a reliable, affordable, and dependable service provider. This is where the VOIP reseller can step in. A VOIP reseller has an opportunity to provide affordable phone service to customers beyond the startup costs, while at the same time getting in on a potential technology and business boom.

A VOIP reseller does just that, he or she resells minutes to VOIP customers that have been purchased from a VOIP provider. These resold minutes are marked up to allow the VOIP reseller a reasonable profit. The reseller becomes the liaison between the service provider and the customer, providing customer service and resolving issues. It is important to note that for anyone interested in becoming a VOIP reseller, there is often a considerable investment in the beginning. A new reseller will have to purchase software and equipment that will enable his or her to provide service to his or her customers. However, there are services available for the potential reseller that provide their own gateways and servers while giving him or her the opportunity to be their own business owner without the expensive startup costs. These firms provide software that make it possible for a VOIP reseller to establish and maintain a set customer base. Customers can access their accounts, contact the reseller with issues or questions, and view their bills. These firms also help to alleviate the big startup cost by offering not only their servers and gateways, but also billing systems that would normally cost a hefty sum to purchase. All of this is offered in a secured interface.

VOIP is primed to take the place of the traditional telephone system. There are tremendous moneymaking opportunities to be sought for someone that is good at marketing and selling a product. There are opportunities to provide service and support to customers while being self-employed. For a VOIP reseller, the opportunities are tremendous.

Learn the essential information for picking the Voip provider / services at Voip Resellers

VoIP :: A New Era?

Following the arrival of VoIP, or Voice Over Internet Protocol, the internet techies have been raving about it, and it is now one of the hottest new technologies around, but what is it and why is it talked about so much?

Well let's begin with what VoIP is. In short, it allows you to make phone calls over the internet using your broadband connection, but has many benefits:

- You can make phone calls from virtually anywhere in the world to anywhere else using your computer.

- Depending on the speed of your connection, you are able to make several calls at the same time.

- If you move home, you are able to keep your same number, even if you move from one side of the world to the other. As you do not have an actual land line, but a converter that has a number assigned, as long as keep the converter with you, you can plug it into any broadband connection and immediately utilize your usual number for making and receiving calls.

Another benefit of VoIP, which many will find useful, and be an attractive feature for many businesses, is the ability to connect to your office phone, whether it be from a hotel or from home. This will enable company personnel to work out of the office, but still have access to all of the office phone system features.

VoIP can also be very cost effective, especially when making long-distance calls. This factor has meant that telephone service providers have to compete with VoIP, in turn ensuring pricing is much more competitive.

At the beginning, the voice quality for those using VoIP was not as good as with a traditional phone line. However the continual technological advancements have meant that the difference in quality is now not as apparent.

So how does it work?

To begin with your voice is converted into bytes so that it can be compressed, split it into packets, and transmitted over the internet. These packets, which contain a collection of information, including the origin, timestamp, and intended destination of the packet, is then converted at the receivers end so that your voice is recognised.

There are many that are already abandoning existing telephone networks and solely using VoIP. For a wealth of information on VoIP take a look at http://www.voip-serviceproviders.info.

Justin Brown owns and runs http://www.voip-serviceproviders.info where visitors can read more information on VoIP service providers. He also runs a site where you can sell or buy any used cars online

Benefits of adding VOIP

VOIP technology is on the rise and major corporations are transferring their business needs over to VOIP and houseolds worldwide are also switching to VOIP. VOIP is produced by transferring voice into digital data over the Internet. You can use VOIP only if you have high-speed broadband connection at home. You then need to purchase an equipment called VOIP phone adapter to use VOIP. The phone adapter will allow you to use all your telephones with VOIP technology. Also you may have to purchase a router. Most of the VOIP providers will supply you with the hardware that is required. You can even purchase phones designed for VOIP. With VOIP becoming the wave of the future, major companies have started to integrate VOIP with instant messaging programs. If you are ready to enjoy unlimited long distance calling and lower monthly phone bills, a good idea is to make a list of your needs, wants and features in a phone, compare plans and choose the service provider that best fits your needs. If you are still unsure whether VOIP would be right for you, consider its benefits.

VOIP is cost efficient VOIP is cheaper than other telecommunication applications. You can use VOIP to reduce cost on long distance and local telephone calls. Many VOIP providers have plans that allow unlimited local and long distance calling.

VOIP integrates your audio, data and video applications VOIP systems can incorporate your telephone needs with your computer applications such as email, fax, web conferencing and videophone needs. This saves time and energy by combining all of the services into one basic application.

VOIP provides flexibility VOIP users can take their phone adapters with them, use their telephone number anywhere they have an access to an Internet connection and enjoy the advantages of a VOIP technology. If you have high-speed Internet connection, you can take calls on your regular number.

You can choose your own area codes This is a fantastic option for those whose friends and family all live in one particular location and they are outside your current state of residence. By choosing your family and friends' area code you are allowing them to call you, whenever they want to and they will not have to pay long distance charges.

Free features Some features are bundled with VOIP having unlimited calling plans. These features include voice mail, call waiting, call block, and call forwarding. With VOIP, users can practise great control on all of their phone features as well as save on charges.

As VOIP technology is advancing, new accessories in VOIP like VOIP headsets, VOIP headphones are coming in the market.

UK mobile phone directory

Need for VOIP

VOIP or voice over Internet Protocol is the ability to transmit voice over the Internet to either a receiving computer, telephone or even a mobile phone. VOIP offers an inexpensive alternative to traditional telephones and keeps you away from huge bills. VOIP helps you save money, especially for long distance calls. It also enables you to talk to several people simultaneously. It offers different services with developing technologies. VoIP enables you to send any type of data at higher speeds of Internet.It is increasingly becoming a great choice for residential and business customers.Many providers offer unlimited plans, that will give the subscriber unlimited long distance, free calling with VOIP. VOIP promises cost savings over traditional phone lines and thus allows you to save on your monthly phone expenses.

VOIP is one of the coolest advancements you've ever been blessed to experience. VoIP allows you to make phone calls over the internet, using your computer, to pretty much anywhere on the planet. the technology with VoIP has yet to progress to the point where you will consistently experience crystal clear sound over slower internet connections.If you currently live in an area that hasn't been wired for broadband, you shouldn't have to wait too long for the technology to progress to where you can enjoy a quality conversation over a slow internet connection. However, the quality can suffer without a high speed internet connection. VoIP services cost less than residential phone service and much, much less than most monthly cell phone plans.If your broadband internet company just happens to be one of companies that currently offers VoIP services, then its better because it would cost you higher if used an independent or outside company for your VoIP phone service. If your internet connection goes down you wouldn't be able to make or receive phone calls.Due to lack of signal strength,your calls can also get dropped.Although it has some drawbacks, but once you use it, you'll not want to loose it, especially with your bills getting lower each month.

With many people discovering the benefits of VOIP by switching from using their land line telephones to VoIP service, VoIP phone service providers are increasing in popularity. People are now aware that VoIP phone services costs significantly less than standard phone service.In today's advanced technology world, VOIP is expected to have a great future ahead.

nidhi
xpert4u.co.uk
UK mobile phone directory

VoIP News - Vonage Tries To Solve Its Problems With IPO

Vonage announced on Feb 8 that it intends to issue an IPO in an attempt to raise $250 million. This move underlines some of the problems mainstream VoIP providers are having.

The problem for Vonage is that while its subscriber base is growing, it is still losing money. According to the IPO filing, Vonage lost $189.6 million on sales of $174 million in the first nine months of 2005.

The company spends so much on marketing that it is almost impossible to make money from low spending subscribers. Average single line subscribers paid $26.73 per month in 2005. But the company spent $213.77 per subscriber on marketing. That means it would take more than 8 months to recoup their up front marketing costs.

Market share is also shrinking and the competition is ramping up. Google, Yahoo and Microsoft are all aggressively entering the market.

They are also getting squeezed on the expense side. Currently VOiP providers like Vonage offload the carrier costs to internet subscribers. But the major telcos are lobbying hard for approval to charge providers like Vonage extra tool fees for the ramped up level of service required to make wide scale VOiP possible.

Pure VOiP providers like Vonage are eating into the traditional market of the telcos. So it seems almost inevitable that the telcos will retaliate in various ways to either hold on to their customer base, or convert customers to their own services.

**Other developments in VoIP

Microsoft - Gates and company will be entering the VoIP market aggressively in 2006. The new version of MSN Messenger, called Windows Live Messenger will have advanced VoIP capabilities, and an interface with the traditional phone system through an agreement with MCI. This alliance with MCI is Microsoft's way of avoiding the threat of telco toll charges.

As with Skype, PC to PC calls will be free using Windows Live Messenger. Microsoft and MCI claim that PC to landline calls will cost only a few cents a minute, and much less than some other alternatives currently being developed.

Google - Much like Microsoft and Yahoo, Google is putting the pieces together to offer a comprehensive PC to PC chat/voice service, as well as a PC to landline service. That would take Google just one relatively small step from becoming a complete VoIP provider.

Google released Google Talk last August, and recently announced the release of Gmail Chat which integrates GMail and Chat. For voice capability, users still have to download the Google Talk client, but it is just a matter of time before there is one client for all three services (mail, chat, talk).

The company has also confirmed that it is working with VoiceOne, a Florida company owned by VoIP Inc. VoiceOne is providing Google with "click-to-call" services. This free service lets people speak directly to Adwords advertisers who come up in searches, with the costs, presumably, being covered by advertisers.

Yahoo - Yahoo announced in December that they will offer two new fee-based voice over IP services so customers can make voice calls from a PC to a telephone and receive phone calls on a PC.

The new VoIP services are called Phone Out and Phone In and are part of Yahoo Messenger with Voice.

Phone Out will let users to make calls from a PC to traditional or mobile phones in more than 180 countries. Projected cost will be $0.01 per minute to the U.S. and less than $0.02 per minute to more than 30 international countries.

Phone In will let users receive calls on a PC from traditional or mobile phones for $2.99 a month. Multiple phone numbers will be available for travelers, and phone numbers in different countries will be available so people who call them from that area will only pay for a local call. This is very similar to Skype's current offerings (see below).

Skype - EBay bought Skype in 2005 for $2.6 billion, so chances are they have big plans for the service. Skype offers a range of VoIP services, but so far all require at least one user be tethered to a PC with a broadband connection. Services include free computer-to-computer calls, as well as paid calls from a PC to the public network (SkypeOut) or public phone to PC (SkypeIn).

With the release of Skype 2.0, the company has announced a number of enhancements to their core service such as teleconferencing capability, and video calling. Another useful service is Skype VoiceMail. Callers from anywhere can call your number and leave a voice mail on your computer.

Judging from their web-centric approach to VoIP, Skype does not have plans to directly compete with the telcos for traditional phone business. However, they are well-positioned to offer click-to-call services to everything from community and dating websites, to EBay itself.

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VoIP - Sometimes Not An Easy Choice

Previously I wrote that VoIP was a good choice. If naked DSL or DSL without phone service is not an option for you, then VoIP can still be a good choice for your second or even third phone line. It sure comes in handy for your teenage children not to mention a home office. I recently sold service to a gentleman who wanted VoIP specifically for the ability to have a virtual number. His daughter recently went off to college in another state. He purchased VoIP service and signed up for a virtual number. He got a virtual number in the same area code that his daughter was in. This allows his daughter to call him at local charges vs. the long distance charges she would normally have to pay. Kudos? to him for making his decision. Just another great benefit VoIP has to offer.

This weekend I was speaking with a friend of mine who recently purchased a home computer. He knew about my business and wanted to know his options for internet access. He also knows that I'm not just a big fan of VoIP but that I myself use it. His primary objective was internet access, secondary objective was VoIP. Here's where the choices, for him, weren't so straightforward.

First off, his current phone provider is the local cable company. He doesn't use cable TV, rather he uses satellite TV. This current scenario meets his needs. He's a huge sports fan and not about to give up his satellite TV because of the sports packages. Do you know anyone else in this type of situation? I told him that 'normal' DSL is out of the question. Our local RBOC won't allow DSL access without phone service. What about naked DSL? Yes, my company has recently signed up a couple providers offering naked DSL, but the price is a bit higher. About the same as cable internet access would cost when you don't have cable TV service. In both cases, naked DSL and cable access, the monthly fee was more than he's willing to pay.

Well then, that was our dilemma. His existing setup won?t allow for either DSL or Cable without him spending more than he wants per month. A switch to cable TV service with cable broadband access won't work for him either. He just doesn't want to give up the satellite TV sports package. So what to do?

His options, as it were, are limited. I asked about his phone habits. How many local and long distance minutes do him and his family use? His child is fairly young and his wife?s family lives in the area, so long distance minutes don't come into the picture. That leaves local calling. I have a bundled service I could offer him, but guess what, YEP, the RBOC 'will' allow a competitor to offer local service BUT the RBOC will 'not' allow that competitor to offer DSL.

He was trying to avoid the local RBOC, which is why he switched to cable phone service a few years back. Now, although he does have choices, the only thing to meet his budget is to cancel cable phone service and go back with the RBOC. Once phone service is active, then I can get him DSL access. DSL access from the local RBOC?s is really dropping in price so he can get his first 6 months at a very reasonable price. Even after that 6-month period, the rate is reasonable as well. This solves his primary objective to get high-speed internet access but doesn't solve his secondary objective to get VoIP. He has no use for a second phone line so that's not an option.

Since the FCC has mandated that RBOC's need to offer naked DSL in roughly 3 years time, that's actually going to work for him. After that 3-year timeframe his young child will be in high school. He'll have more choices in just a few years. So, for this case, he doesn't get everything he wants at the budget he can afford. Rather he solves his primary objective of internet access for now and will go for VoIP once the prices of naked DSL come down.

Although this is doable, it's really a shame. It may be rare and it was the first time I've personally run across this type of situation. Phone from cable, TV from satellite works great for him, but because the phone companies and cable companies don't play well, he looses. I will show him how to make his long distance calls from his computer, but for VoIP as a primary phone service, he?ll need to wait. Sometimes the decision to use VoIP is not such an easy choice. (For now)

FullService Broadband provider. Our free service is possible through Try Right Technology, Inc. We provide unbiased and informative information on broadband and communication products

All About VoIP

What makes VoIP so great is all of the money that you will save each month. If you make a lot of long distance phone calls each and every month then VoIP is for you. It does not even matter if you are making calls for business reasons or for pleasure, you can still save hundreds of dollars by using it. VoIP is easy to use and everyone can benefit from it.

When you have VoIP you will be making all of your important phone calls over the internet rather than the telephone lines. Since so many millions of people are choosing VoIP over regular phone calls it is changing the way that people call others and have phone meetings.

Over the last few years VoIP has come a long way. It is now a very trustworthy and smart technology. As long as you have a broadband connection you can use VoIP reliably. You will be bale to contact anyone anywhere in the world for free, and you can talk as long as you want. You can even have conference calls with as many people as you want to and this is great for business.

If you want to make big money then you need to be able to get in touch with people at any time of the day or night and you need to be able to talk as long as you need to in order to nail down the important details of your deal. These things are always taken care of when you are using VoIP.

With VoIP you will be bale to use your phone to call anywhere in the world for free. So if you are ready to save some money on your calls for a change then you can get VoIP set up in your computer today.

Find out everything about Voip in John Rivers website at Voip Starter Site

VoIP - Good Choice

Using DSL for your broadband access? Naked DSL (DSL without primary phone service) still not available in your area? Don't discount VoIP phone service just because you cannot discontinue your existing primary phone service. VoIP can be a huge help to those with home-based business, satellite employees needing a business line and of course families with teenagers! (just to name a few possible candidates!)

Tired of the high phone bills? For some the high costs are because of one or more of the categories mentioned above. This is 'exactly' why you should not discount VoIP for your second or third line. Imagine the looks on your teenagers face when you tell them they can get their own phone complete with their own phone number, voice mail and unlimited local and long distance calling! WOW - problem solved. For satellite employees, mentioning to your boss you can cut your existing phone expense will also put a smile on their face. For the home based-business ANY cost savings certainly helps. Now you can make those long distance calls without worrying about the expense.

If you're putting off VoIP because you cannot use the service 'exclusively' you still just might be able to save money every month. Your home office or employee business line or the line for your child can all be easily converted to VoIP.

There are ?some? providers offering naked DSL so you should first check with your local telephone company. Ask if they provide this service. If not, you can visit our web site as we?ve recently added a couple providers that offer naked DSL. You can find them in our VoIP section.

If your goal is to eliminate your local telephone company all together and you don?t want to wait for naked DSL to become widely available, then perhaps it?s time to consider switching your residential broadband access to cable. If you?re a cable TV subscriber the monthly fee is usually lower than if you were not. In either case, run your own numbers. Take your existing phone bill and add the cost of cable broadband. What?s the total? Now add up the cost of cable broadband and VoIP. Compare the two numbers. Paying a little more for your cable broadband access just might be offset with the cost savings achievable through VoIP. Run the numbers and decide for yourself. For more information on VoIP technology, visit our site, search the net, do whatever it takes to get the information you need to make a more informed decision.

VoIP is a good choice and a good way to save money.

FullService Broadband provider. Our free service is possible through Try Right Technology, Inc. We provide unbiased and informative information on broadband and communication products and services.

The Aim To Standardize VoIP Protocols

Voice over Internet protocol (VOIP) is a remarkable technology that lets us talk to one another from our home computers. It provides an efficient and flexible way for us to communicate at work and at home, and the cost savings versus conventional telephone services are incredible. It requires little upfront investment, and you have the ability to travel with your phone number all over the world. It is a technology that almost seems too good to be true. As with any relatively new technology, though, there are technical kinks with VOIP that continue to need refining and development in order for the technology to reach its fullest potential as a replacement for the current telephone systems that we are accustomed to using.

At the beginning of a VOIP phone call, there is an analog phone (in use with an ATA), an IP phone, or software that converts data from analog to digital and routes the call to an endpoint. Along with these pieces of equipment, there are protocols that are employed to get the job done efficiently. A protocol is a set of rules that control data transfer between two points, in this case, from the placement of a phone call to the destination. Protocols are put into use by any combination of hardware and software to define real-time communications performance.

There are several VOIP protocols used at this time that mark out which programs (that transform the data) connect with one another along with the network. The most common protocol being used for VOIP is know as H.323, which was created by the International Telecommunication Union for the purposes of videoconferencing. This protocol is actually a group of several specific protocols that provide provisions for videoconferencing, data sharing, and audio transmission (VOIP). However, since it was not expressly designed for VOIP, there are often compatibility issues with its use.

A newer protocol has come out known as Session Initiation Protocol, or SIP. SIP was developed specifically for VOIP, and it is less complex than H.323. Yet another protocol used for VOIP is known as Media Gateway Control Protocol (MGCP). It focuses on destination control, and is intended to be used for supplemental features such as Call Waiting. A big problem arises because these three protocols do not always work together very congruently. This is often a problem when placing VOIP calls between different networks that use different protocols. And since there has not been yet developed a uniform set of standards for protocols to use for VOIP, problems are likely to continue until they are established.

Despite the technical glitches that can be encountered in using the technology to place phone calls, VOIP is still far more efficient, accommodating, and cost effective to what we are used to in telephone communications. The direction in which VOIP is heading hints that it is poised to one day replace our traditional telephone technology altogether. As with any technology-driven product or service, developers of VOIP will likely continue to improve upon current standards of VOIP and its protocols, further improving the technology for widespread use. This will provide users of VOIP even greater efficiency and reliability when they want to make a telephone call.

Learn the essential information for picking the Voip provider / services at Voip Protocols

Learn About Broadband Phone Service (VoIP) And It's Benefits

Broadband phone service uses your broadband Internet connection to transmit voice signals via IP networks. This technology is commonly referred to as VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) or IP Telephony. Broadband phone service converts voice signals to digital packets which are routed to their destination and reconverted at the receiving end.

Broadband phone service appears, to the user, to operate very much like the traditional telephone networks. You can use an ATA (analogue telephone adapter) that connects to a router or modem or an IP phone that connects directly to a router or modem. The difference is that with an ATA you can use your existing phones to connect to the network.

Once set up, you can use your broadband phone service to place or receive calls to or from anywhere in the world. One of the most attractive selling points of broadband phone service is the low cost of long distance and International calls. Many IP phones service providers include extra services such as call waiting, voicemail, and caller ID at no additional cost.

There are a few drawbacks that you need to be aware of if you are planning to switch to broadband phone service. You must, of course, have access to a high-speed Internet connection and if your Internet connection is down you lose your phone service until you get back on line. There are still some reliability and security issues but it's likely that these will soon be addressed as consumer and business demand for broadband phone service increases.

Gary Caskennette is the owner of VoIP Place, a news and information site about the rapidly developing technology of Voice over Internet Protocol. More information can be found at VoIP Place

Most Underrated Use of VoIP Telephony.

With the proliferation, affordability, and convenience of broadband Internet and cell phone service, customers are foregoing traditional telephone service all together. Having a cell phone instead of a land line seems like a terrific idea. Cell phone customers do not have to be tied down to a location, they can get phone calls from anywhere, and plus they get long-distance included. In theory it seems like a good idea but actually it does not tend to work out as planned. Cell phones were not designed to be used for regular everyday calls while in your home. They were designed as mobile phones and most service plans treat them as such, with outrageous fees for going over the allotted monthly minutes. Most cell phone only customers find they run out of minutes every month and have enormous cell phone bills as a result. So they would be better off having a land line or paying for enormous monthly minutes on their cell phone service. There is a better way.

VoIP phone service is a wonderful way to eliminate the need for expensive, regular telephone service. With a VoIP adapter and VoIP service, customers can use their broadband Internet service and regular telephone to make local and long-distance calls for a low monthly fee. The monthly fee usually includes such typical services as unlimited long-distance, call waiting, caller ID, voicemail, 3-way calling, call forwarding, and other lesser used features that regular telephone companies charge extra. So for a modest monthly fee VoIP customers can have broadband Internet and land line phone services and still afford to keep their cell phone. VoIP saves money by eliminating expensive traditional telephone service and allows cell phone minutes to be used when necessary.

Visit http://www.cleardigitalvoice.com for more information on how to save money with VoIP phone service.

Sol is the owner of ClearDigitalVoice.com, a new VoIP provider for residential and small business customers. http://www.cleardigitalvoice.com

VoIP

What is VoIP?

VoIP, or Voice-Over-Internet Protocol, is literally a phone call placed via an internet connection. VoIP has been a long time coming and early internet phone calls were not that reliable and a bit garbled. But they were free. Over the last decade, VoIP has increasingly made its way into business and is now making its way into more and more homes, as people find better, more affordable ways to communicate with convenience.

An internet protocol is a way in which data is handled over networks. It is typically a standard method for passing data from one point to another point via network cable. Voice-Over-Internet protocol is the method by which one's voice is translated from an analog signal to digital 1s and 0s then transported over broadband network connections, often still for a fraction of the cost of long distance phone calls.

Advantages

According to many experts VoIP is expected to be the phone protocol of choice for the future, alongside the ubiquitous wireless calls. VoIP is flexible, and affordable. As long as one has an internet connection, some free or inexpensive VoIP software on their PC, and a microphone, VoIP is viable. It is a simple communication method to setup. The major phone companies already use the technology that makes VoIP possible. They must move large bundles of long distance digital data known as packet switching quickly and conveniently.

One of the most attractive advantages to VoIP is the ability to receive internet phone calls anywhere you are, as long as you are accessible to the internet. Like wireless technology, this frees you from the constraints posed by a phone line connected to a wall jack.

What You Need

There are a number of ways to currently use VoIP. The easiest and least expensive by far is the PC-to-PC connection. Requirements are a PC that is connected to the internet, preferably with a cable or DSL connection; a microphone, speakers, and VoIP software that can still be had inexpensively, even free in many cases.

An increasingly popular method for VoIP is the use of the proprietary VoIP phones that are becoming a standard for many businesses. Companies such as IBM and Cisco Systems are well known for their VoIP phone systems that are designed to become a seamless addition to any large or small business network. Many bundle video along with them making long-distance conferencing effective and affordable for business.

Disadvantages

Currently, the disadvantages to VoIP are the reliability of packet switching technology to seamlessly transport important voice data streaming, real time conversations over the long haul of network cable. Businesses that rely on such technology must be willing to accept the risks involved with poor internet connections, lost signals, and dropped data packets. The internet as a real time communication tool is still in relative infancy in comparison to the technology behind the analog telephone system that has been in existence for well over a century.

Sara Chambers is a marketing consultant and an internet content manager for http://www.voipweblog.com

VoIP Providers Doing Their Best To Get Your Money

We've seen this happen before. A new technology promises cheaper and better service.

But when consumers try to take advantage of it, the new "cheaper", "better" service ends up being a degraded level of the same old thing, and usually for more money when all is said and done.

Think cell phones. Think internet connections.

The problem with cheap new technologies is that they don't provide sufficient profit to be developed at a mass level. That's why telcos and cable companies dragged their feet for years before getting serious about broadband internet. Do you remember when 128k connections cost $300 a month? Why give people ten times as much capacity for much less money?

Which brings us to VoIP. There appears to be no incentive at all for the major telco and cable carriers to get into this business yet. Until they find a way to leverage their infrastructures for their own profit in the VoIP business, you can expect them to throw up obstacles. Like tollgate fees. The idea of charging companies like Vonage and Skype for use of the "free" IP network has been floated, and is not likely to go away any time soon.

**Fracturing of the VoIP market**

That leaves companies like Vonage, Skype, and Microsoft to compete at the consumer end of things. They are fighting over who will get the most customers. Just like the cell phone companies, they are using specialized hardware and added services to differentiate themselves from the others.

You can expect they will all be taking a page from the cell phone marketing book. Offer cut rate (or free) hardware to get customers signed up to a long term contract. But the catch is, the hardware will only work with one system. That way customers will not jump ship without thinking twice about investing more money in new hardware.

The strategy was apparent at this year's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Each of the major players unveiled new gadgets that only work with their system: a special Wi-Fi phone for Vonage, speakerphones and USB handsets for Skype, and handsets from Uniden and Philips that only work with Windows Live Messenger.

The dilemma is that the major players in the VoIP business need to generate cash. They hope to do that by tying up lots of customers with exclusive hardware that is not compatible with their competitors. But the risk is they will alienate a lot of the same consumers they are trying to convert.

**Will new handsets make Microsoft a VoIP player?**

Bill Gates announced at CES in Las Vegas in January that Uniden American and Royal Philips will have new VoIP phones available for MSN Messenger users by the time the new VoIP-enabled version of Messenger is available. According to Microsoft, there are 200 million MSN Messenger users worldwide.

The new version of MSN Messenger, called Windows Live Messenger will have advanced VoIP capabilities, and an interface with the traditional phone system through an agreement with MCI.

The handsets available from Uniden and Philips will be cordless dual landline-VoIP phones making them a complete replacement for both traditional phone service and PC to PC services like Skype. The companies hope the three way combination of Microsoft and MCI along with Uniden and Philips will make the MSN Messenger service a leader in the VoIP battle for subscribers.

The new Uniden phone, due out in the spring will be a 5.8GHz unit and will cost in the $ 100 range. The Philips phone will have similar features and price, but will be targeted to non-North American markets. The combination is aimed at putting the Microsoft/MCI service on par with Skype and making it a serious alternative to providers like Vonage.

As with Skype, PC to PC calls will be free using Windows Live Messenger. Microsoft and MCI claim that PC to landline calls will cost only a few cents a minute, and much less than some other alternatives currently being developed.

**Who is Microsoft targeting? Skype or Vonage?**

According to Russel Shaw, writing in the ip telephony blog (http://blogs.zdnet.com/ip-telephony/?p=821), the real target of the Microsoft/MCI project is not Skype, but Vonage and other "pure play VoIPs" like Packet 8, as well as the traditional telcos waiting in the wings to pounce once the market gets going.

Services like Vonage are extremely vulnerable because they rely on the infrastructure of the telcos without paying a surcharge to use it. Those costs are off-loaded to their customers who pay connection charges. But it is almost a certainty that the telcos will not sit idly by while companies like Vonage use the telcos' own capacity to take away their customers.

That means the "pure play VoIPs" are going to get squeezed between Microsoft/MCI on one hand, and the telcos on the other.

Rick Hendershot publishes Linknet Business News | German mobile users can get Free SMS service - Freesms versenden - kostenlos freesms in deutsche handynetze versenden.

Why Should You Switch To VoIP?

By now, you've probably heard about the new technology called VoIP, or Voice Over IP. VoIP is a replacement for a standard telephone and phone line. It uses your high-speed internet connection instead of regular phone lines. Millions of people all over the world are embracing this new technology. Should you?

Let's take a look at the benefits and features. After all, you should make an educated decision and not just an instant decision. So why is VoIP so great?

- Price. VoIP's price, most of the time, will beat standard phone rates. Companies usually offer free long distance and foreign calling - so you could call someone on the other side of the world for the same price as a friend down the street. On the other hand, price would not be a huge advantage if you pay per minute with a standard phone and make only 2 short calls a month!

- Computer compatibility. You can use your computer as your phone instead of using a regular-style phone. Why would you do this? Well, with some computer software, you can share documents, messages, and videos (think webcam plus audio) with friends that also have VoIP.

- More features. VoIP isn't just a normal phone technology. It usually comes with many different features that you would have to pay for or couldn't even get with a regular phone service, like free caller-ID, conference calls, on-hold music, free voicemail, and more.

These are just some of the basic new VoIP features. Some companies even offer unique services and bonuses, so be sure to examine what you get so that you can fully compare between companies.`

If, right now, you are thinking that VoIP is right for you, why not try it? After all, many companies offer a 30-day (or longer) money-back guarantee, so if you decide you're not happy with it, just ask for your money back!

Voice Over IP (VoIP) Services & Solutions

Keith Gilbert is the author and webmaster of http://www.freevoiptips.com (http://www.freevoiptips.com)

VoIP - Basic Assumptions

I thought I'd outline some of the basics of VoIP. I use this service myself and have sold VoIP services to my customers. What I didn't understand until last night is how much I assume. You see my business is mostly web based so my customers read up on VoIP and have a general understanding of the technology before making a purchase.

What I came across in my conversations last night was that some people attracted purely by the cost really don't understand what the trade off's are, what is required and their level of expectation is, in my humble opinion, to high. Now don't get me wrong, I'm a huge fan of VoIP. However, I understand what's involved, how to hook it up as well as the pros and cons of using such a service. For me the cost factor did weigh in when comparing the pros and cons to the cost savings. My level of expectation was brought inline with what VoIP can offer me.

Here are some basic assumptions I was guilty of:

1. When using your broadband internet connection for your computer and VoIP a router is necessary. 2. During a power loss the phone doesn't work unless there is a UPS system in place. 3. ISP goes down, your phone line goes down. 4. Those phone jacks in the house don't work with VoIP. 5. The phone base plugs into the VoIP converter/adapter box which then plugs into your router. If you want multiple phones in multiple rooms, you will need a cordless phone or cordless phone system. (Multiple handsets) 6. E911 is not automatic. You need to check availability 7. Fax machines may not work 8. There can be call interference (echo). Voice quality is good, but not yet as reliable as POTS lines.

Naked DSL or DSL without phone service is not widely available. As such, if your broadband connection is via DSL you may not be able to use VoIP as your primary phone service. Simply put, if your goal is to switch to VoIP and then cancel your existing phone service, you may loose your broadband connection as well.

During my conversation last night their assumptions were much different than mine. Their assumptions were

1. Existing phone jacks will still work with VoIP 2. My corded phone will still work during a power outage just like they do now. 3. I can send/receive faxes without any issue 4. I can plug my VoIP into any room I want 5. 911 service is automatic. Everyone has this. 6. The quality of calls is as good if not better than POTS lines because after all it's coming through the internet right? 7. I don't need any extra equipment - it's just a phone.

After our discussion they were more educated in what VoIP can and cannot provide for them. In the end they choose not to get VoIP service and that's OK. A bundled POTS package was more to their liking and frankly fit them much better than VoIP would have.

Yes, I am a fan of VoIP and yes I believe this technology is here to stay. Having said that, I do not think VoIP is for everyone. Some consider routers, cordless phone(s), checking 911 availability, etc. to be a hassle. They just want to use their existing phone and achieve the 'exact' same results. Well, VoIP is almost there, but still has a way to go. If the cost savings can outweigh your own pros and cons by all means go for it. If not, wait, watch and read up some more.

Ready to give it a go? Good for you, (hope to see you at our web site). Not yet ready? That's OK too. (Still hope to see you at our web site for possible cost savings on your traditional POTS line or cellular plan)

Ok, perhaps a shameless plug in that last part. Use our web site, use someone else's, use a library, do whatever is necessary to educate yourself to make more informed purchasing decisions. It's better to be a little prepared than completely disappointed especially with something you'll use everyday such as your phone service.

FullService Broadband provider. Our free service is possible through Try Right Technology, Inc. We provide unbiased and informative information on broadband and communication products and services

VoIP Providers The Top 7

Voice Over IP (VoIP) is the new phone system technology. It's valued for cheap prices and cost effectiveness. It offers many of the same calling features as regular landline services at typically no extra cost. VoIP allows users the freedom to use their high-speed Internet connection to integrate their phone, audio, video, and web browsing capabilities into one application. Because of these new trends, VoIP providers are adding new products and services daily.

Here is a list and details of the top 7 VoIP providers with costs:

1. Skype (Ebay - New Owner)

Skype is famous VoIP provider with the slogan, "The Whole World can Talk for Free". Skype is a free download and users can make free calls via, Skype to Skype. For a fee, you can advance your Skype to Skype Out and make calls to landline phones. Skype In will let your choose your area code and phone number. This way, friends and relatives can call you locally, if you select the same area code. Skype is compatible with the leading operations systems - Windows, Linux, Macs and Pocket PCs.

2. Broadvox Direct

Broadvox Direct VoIP providers offers small business and residential services. Their residential services include the Residential Choice Plus plan for $10.00 per month. The Residential Choice Plus plan includes 100 outbound minutes and unlimited incoming minutes. Their Residential Unlimited Plan costs $30.00 a month and includes unlimited calling anywhere in the US and Canada. The Small Business (SOHO) Regional Plan costs $35.00 per month and includes 1500 monthly minutes in the US and in Canada. The SoHo Small Business Unlimited Plan costs $45 per month and includes unlimited calls in the US and Canada and also includes a free fax line and Yellow Page listing.

3. Vonage

Probably the most well known VoIP providers, you may be surprised to discover that Vonage is also one of the more expensive providers. Vonage offers two plans, residential and small business. Residential users may choose between the Basic 500 plan and Unlimited. The Basic 500 plan offers 500 minutes of talk time for $15.00 a month. The Premium Unlimited residential plan costs $25.00 per month.

The SOHO Basic plan costs $40.00 per month and allows 1500 minutes. The Small Business Unlimited plan costs $50.00 a month and provides unlimited calls throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada.

4. Dialpad

Yahoo and Dialpad have merged services. There is trend amongst VoIP providers to consolidate their services. Currently, Dialpad offers 3 service plans: Dialpad Monthly 300, Dialpad Monthly 500, and Dialpad USA. The cost for Dialpad Monthly 300 is $7.50, Dialpad Monthly 500 costs $10 and Dialpad USA costs about $12.00/month.

5. Galaxy Voice

Galaxy Voice offers two plans, Residential and Business. Their residential plan costs about $20.00 a month and includes unlimited calling, Voicemail, Caller Id, Call Waiting, Call Return, Three Way Calling, and Call Forwarding. Their business plan costs $40.00 per month and includes unlimited calling, Free Voice Mail, Free Call Transfer, Free Call Forwarding, Free Repeat Dialling, and Free Caller ID block.

6. Packet 8

Packet 8 offers phone and videophone plans. One of the few VoIP providers to offer both services. Their residential plans are the Freedom International and Freedom Unlimited. Both of these plans cost $19/month. Their business plans consists of three different plans. These are the Virtual Office service plans, the Virtual Attendant Service plans, and the Business Phone Service plans. The Virtual office phone plan costs $19 per month, the Virtual Attendant service plan costs $14 per month, and the Business plan costs $35.00 per month.

7. VoIP American

VoIP American one of the biggest VoIP providers and has 3 different plans. These are the VoIP American PBX plan, the VoIP Voice and bVoice plans. The VoIP American PBX plan cost $19.00 a month for a private line and $44.00 a month for unlimited calling. The VoIP Voice Residential Basic plan costs $14.00/month and Residential Unlimited plan costs $29.00/month.

VoIP providers are increasing in number with growing competition amongst the various VoIP providers prices will start to come down even further. The quality of the voice calls is getting better and now video calls is becoming the standard offering by the VoIP Providers. Talk will be cheap!

James Rogers guides you through the maze of VoIP provider and services with concise VoIP information including costs. VoIP is the future of cheap global communications. Want to learn visit: http://www.4voip-providers.com

VoIP ? Basic Assumptions

I thought I'd outline some of the basics of VoIP. I use this service myself and have sold VoIP services to my customers. What I didn't understand until last night is how much I assume. You see my business is mostly web based so my customers read up on VoIP and have a general understanding of the technology before making a purchase.

What I came across in my conversations last night was that some people attracted purely by the cost really don't understand what the trade off's are, what is required and their level of expectation is, in my humble opinion, to high. Now don't get me wrong, I'm a huge fan of VoIP. However, I understand what's involved, how to hook it up as well as the pros and cons of using such a service. For me the cost factor did weigh in when comparing the pros and cons to the cost savings. My level of expectation was brought inline with what VoIP can offer me.

Here are some basic assumptions I was guilty of:

1. When using your broadband internet connection for your computer and VoIP a router is necessary.
2. During a power loss the phone doesn't work unless there is a UPS system in place.
3. ISP goes down, your phone line goes down.
4. Those phone jacks in the house don't work with VoIP.
5. The phone base plugs into the VoIP converter/adapter box which then plugs into your router. If you want multiple phones in multiple rooms, you will need a cordless phone or cordless phone system. (Multiple handsets)
6. E911 is not automatic. You need to check availability
7. Fax machines may not work
8. There can be call interference (echo). Voice quality is good, but not yet as reliable as POTS lines.

Naked DSL or DSL without phone service is not widely available. As such, if your broadband connection is via DSL you may not be able to use VoIP as your primary phone service. Simply put, if your goal is to switch to VoIP and then cancel your existing phone service, you may loose your broadband connection as well.

During my conversation last night their assumptions were much different than mine. Their assumptions were

1. Existing phone jacks will still work with VoIP
2. My corded phone will still work during a power outage just like they do now.
3. I can send/receive faxes without any issue
4. I can plug my VoIP into any room I want
5. 911 service is automatic. Everyone has this.
6. The quality of calls is as good if not better than POTS lines because after all it's coming through the internet right?
7. I don't need any extra equipment - it's just a phone.

After our discussion they were more educated in what VoIP can and cannot provide for them. In the end they choose not to get VoIP service and that's OK. A bundled POTS package was more to their liking and frankly fit them much better than VoIP would have.

Yes, I am a fan of VoIP and yes I believe this technology is here to stay. Having said that, I do not think VoIP is for everyone. Some consider routers, cordless phone(s), checking 911 availability, etc. to be a hassle. They just want to use their existing phone and achieve the 'exact' same results. Well, VoIP is almost there, but still has a way to go. If the cost savings can outweigh your own pros and cons by all means go for it. If not, wait, watch and read up some more.

Ready to give it a go? Good for you, (hope to see you at our web site). Not yet ready? That's OK too. (Still hope to see you at our web site for possible cost savings on your traditional POTS line or cellular plan)

Ok, perhaps a shameless plug in that last part. Use our web site, use someone else?s, use a library, do whatever is necessary to educate yourself to make more informed purchasing decisions. It's better to be a little prepared than completely disappointed especially with something you'll use everyday such as your phone service.

FullService Broadband provider. Our free service is possible through Try Right Technology, Inc. We provide unbiased and informative information on broadband and communication products and services

VoIP And Your Broadband Selection

Why is the regional bell operating companies dropping the rates on their DSL residential service? Easy, to gain more customers. Ok, makes sense. But let's look a little closer.

First off, VoIP is making a major push into our homes. I for one have 2 lines in my home. One for business and one for home use. I use VoIP on my business line and my local provider on the other. I also use cable broadband access. Not only is it faster, but when the time comes I can switch my home phone to VoIP and not effect my broadband connection. Yes, the government is mandating the use of 'naked' DSL or DSL without phone service. Expect that in a few years (maybe).

There's the first gotcha. Choose the local telco for DSL access and eliminate the possibility of using VoIP as your primary phone line. Yes you can get VoIP as long as you continue your local telephone service as well. Remember, DSL comes into your
home on your phone line. Deactivate your phone line and without naked DSL you disconnect your internet as well.

Remember deregulation of the 80's? Now the RBOC's (regional bell operating companies) need to open their territories up to competition. Ok. I was putting together a quote for local/long distance for a small business. Luckily they had no need or want
for internet access. I ran the numbers for both our local RBOC as well as a competitor. The competitors? prices beat the RBOC's hands down. But guess what? The competitor is unable to run DSL (even if my customer wanted it). Gotcha again. RBOC's carry a mighty sword :)

So, if I stick with my RBOC, I can't use VoIP as my primary phone service. If I switch to a competitor, I may not be able to get DSL access. Hmmmm conflict or gotcha?

In all fairness, I've sold DSL service from RBOC's as well as other ISP's. The service is fine. Many of my family members use DSL and are very happy with it. It's really not the DSL service itself that gets me frustrated at times, but rather the lack of choices. Why not use the lower cost DSL access and VoIP as a primary phone line? Because the large RBOC's don't want you to, that's why. Oh sure the government is getting involved, but we'll have to wait a few more years. (Maybe longer)

This short article is not intended solely for the informed. Many people are aware of the conflicts, FCC mandates and issues. The lines between phone usage/internet access/television are becoming more and more blurred. Keep a open mind; don't fall
into the marketing traps of the major players. Understand the impact of your technology buying decisions. One just may effect the other. Go DSL, possibly loose VoIP. Switch to an RBOC competitor and quite possibly loose your existing DSL (or ANY DSL for that matter)

Go for cable internet access? I for one would really like to see the cable companies begin to drop their rates. They offer a good service at faster speeds. Unfortunately with the push for DSL (from come on offers starting at around $17 per month) to standard monthly rates around $21-30 per month, it's certainly cheaper than cable internet, which is about $42-47 per month.

What I usually tell my customers is to look at the big picture. Not long ago customers wanted high speed internet at the lowest possible cost. Now what I usually tell my customers, friends and family is to also evaluate their phone usage as well.

One purchase can affect the other. If there is no pressure or need or want to convert to VoIP, then broadband DSL should be just fine. Then there's the people with teenage kids or kids in college. Their phone bills tend to be higher. In some cases the cost may be much higher. If VoIP is going to be on their horizon, then I would recommend staying away from DSL. Do the math. Yes, you may pay a higher per month cost for cable internet service (say $20 a month more) but what would you save on your phone bill by using VoIP? If your phone bill is $40 a month, which you cut to $20 a month using VoIP, it's a wash. The extra savings on the phone bill offsets the higher cost of internet access. If your phone bill is higher, then you start to save more money.

Look at the big picture when deciding your broadband access needs.

FullService Broadband provider. Our free service is possible through Try Right Technology, Inc. We provide unbiased and informative information on broadband and communication products and services.

VOIP - a Threat to the Industry?

VOIP stands for "Voice over Internet Protocol" and it's going to change the way you think about making long distance phone calls. This technology turns analog audio signals (like the sounds you hear when talking on your regular telephone) into a digital signal (which is then transmitted over the Internet.)

So why is VOIP a threat to communications industry? Because it means that by getting your hands on some of the free software that's readily available, you can totally bypass your telephone company, and start making long distance phone calls for free!

This revolutionary technology has the ability to totally change the phone system of the entire world! Maybe you've seen television commercials for one of the pioneers of VOIP - Vonage. It brands itself as the "broadband telephone company", and offers enticing perks to customers who switch to its service, like low-cost 800 numbers, very cheap international rates (fees are waived from the U.S. to Canada, and how about .03 cents a minute to call Paris?)

But Vonage isn't the only company who is interested. AT&T is setting up VOIP calling in several areas of the U.S. and there are other major players on the scene as well, such as Skype, who is relying on viral advertising to get the word out.

One of the really interesting thing about VOIP is that there's not just one way to make a call. There are three:

1) ATA (analog telephone adaptor) - is the most commonly used VOIP method right now. Using the ATA, you connect your regular telephone to your computer or Internet connection. The ATA is an analog-to-digital converter and it takes the analog signal from your phone and converts it into digital data and transmits it over the Internet.

This is how Vonage does it, and AT&T 's CallVantage will be doing it. The ATA is free with their services. And using an ATA is so simple that anyone can do it. Open the box, plug the cable from your phone into the ATA instead of the wall socket, and you're set. Depending on your computer, and where you live, and what type of Internet connection you have, you might have to also install the software onto your computer, but even my grandmother knows how to do that these days.

2) IP Phones - They look just like the phones we are used to. They have a handset, cradles and buttons. But IP phones use an RJ-45 Ethernet connector instead of the standard RJ-11 phone connectors. They connect directly to your router and all the hardware and software is already built inside to handle your IP calls. Look for Wi-Fi IP phones to be available in the near future, which will allow you to make VOIP calls from any Wi-Fi spot. (Can you see the power of that? Just take your IP phone with you when you travel, and stop in at any Internet caf?, hotel or other location where you can use your Wi-Fi laptop, and you can "phone home" wherever home happens to be!

3) Computer-to-Computer. Arguably the easiest way to use VOIP. Not only do you not have to pay for long distance calls, there are several companies that are offering free or low-cost software right now for you to make use of the VOIP technology. All you need is the software, a microphone, speakers a sound card and a broadband or cable DSL Internet connection, and your loved ones sound as if they're in the next room. And, except for your normal monthly ISP fee, there is no charge for any computer- to-computer call.

Most likely, you have been using the VOIP technology without even being aware of it, any time you've made a long distance telephone call recently. Many of the major phone companies are already using VOIP technology to reduce their own bandwidth. It's a simple matter of routing thousands of phone calls through a circuit switch and into an IP gateway. Once received on the other side of the gateway, the calls are decompressed, reassembled and routed back to a local circuit switch.

IP telephony is the wave of the future. It makes sense in terms of ROI, from both an economic and infrastructure point of view. It may take some time, but eventually all of the current circuit-switched networks that are in use today will be replaced by packet-switching technology. More and more businesses are already installing VOIP systems. And as the technology makes our way into our everyday language our lives, and our homes, it will continue to grow in popularity.

Forrester Research predicted that nearly 5 million U.S. households will have VOIP phone service by the end of this year. The two biggest advantages for home users so far are price and flexibility.

Currently, most VOIP phone companies offer plans similar to that of cell-phone companies - what are commonly called "minute-rate" plans for as little as $30 a month. And as with cell-phone plans, you can also get unlimited plans for around $79 a month. With the elimination of long-distances charges, unregulated charges, and all the freebies that come standard with your VOIP service, it can actually amount to a significant savings for you. For example, you may be paying extra for features like: call waiting, 3 way calling, call forwarding, caller I.D., repeat dial & last call return

With VOIP, they come standard. And then there are some advanced features that make VOIP something worth looking into. With some carriers, you can set up call-filtering options, and actually have some control over how calls from certain numbers are handled. For example, you can: forward the call to a particular number, send the call directly to voicemail, give the caller a busy signal, play a "not in service" message and send the caller to a funny rejection hotline

With most VOIP services, you can also check your voice mail on the Internet, or attach messages to an email that is sent directly to your computer or handheld. (By the way, if you're interested in any of these features, not all VOIP companies are created equal, so do a little shopping around first, because prices and services do vary).

The second benefit that makes VOIP so attractive for home and small business users is the flexibility. With VOIP you can make a call anywhere you can get broadband connectivity. Since the IP phones or ATAs broadcast information over the Internet, they can be administered by any provider. For business travelers, this means they can take their phone or ATA with them on the road, and never miss a home phone call!

By using a softphone, (which is client software that loads your VOIP service onto your desktop or laptop), you can make calls from your laptop anywhere in the broadband-connected world, with just a headset and microphone.

We could easily see here that tremendous opportunities also abound for the industry participants. It just depends on how you see VOIP a threat or an opportunity.

Alan Ocab is the Chief Knowledge Officer of VOIPService.Visit http://www.thevoipservice.info

VoIP as Business Solution

VoIP as Business Solution

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) or widely known as Internet Telephony, have been publicly used for several years now. VoIP itself originated to be used by ARPANET as commercial realizations of the experimental Network Voice Protocol in 1973. But due to many drawbacks it is believe not ready for widespread implementation even till now. Yet despite having few drawbacks left, many of communication pioneers have leaded the way for VoIP to be widely used.

VoIP needs an active Internet connection since the technology itself based on Internet Protocol. The cost generated by VoIP generally lower than the conventional way of communicating. It even practically free in certain situation. This provides valuable aspect to business enterprise due to considerable cost reduction offer by VoIP.

Behind it's complexity of technical structure, VoIP has proven to be easier to implement these days. Although it's quality of sounds may not the best due to latency and jitter problem, many big company installed VoIP as their communicating purpose known as IP Phone. Mostly their investments on VoIP are on internal network that relatively have much bandwidth to spare so jitter and latency can be reduced as much as possible. Outsourcing may the best option if your company core competency is not within Information Technology.

The interesting part of VoIP besides its cost is the ability to route the call anywhere you want. This allows you to communicated anywhere in the world from your computer with just internet line and on fixed cost or even free. Even now due to releases of new 3G technology for mobile phone and mobile phone ability to inter-connect with private and public wireless network, VoIP has been used in mobile phone in many countries.

VoIP as business investment are very much common these days. Since it offers many advantages compare to POTS (Plain Old Telephone System) also the drawbacks are reduced as the technology growth. The beneficial of this system has been widely used even there are free service of VoIP for individual uses such as Google Talk, Skype and many more that makes VoIP gain its own attention in the world.

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Faxing with VoIP, Can I do it?

Faxing with VoIP can be slightly different than the traditional Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). Not all VoIP providers offer Fax capabilities and some charge extra for this feature. Some VoIP adapters or ATA's as they are called allow fax capabilities by simply connecting your fax to the device. If your ATA supports fax capabilities you should not need a second line to send faxes. Beware that unusual amounts of faxing can violate your Terms of Service agreement with some providers and force you to upgrade to their business service, I think the normal user should not have a problem with this. Some providers require you to purchase a second number for your faxing needs and charge a minimal amount for that service usually around $5 or $10 per month.

VoIP Provider Fax Information:

? Vonage: With a Vonage Small Business account, you get a dedicated fax line with 500 local and long distance minutes of outgoing fax service to the US (including Puerto Rico) and Canada, plus unlimited incoming faxes each month. Residential account you get a Vonage fax line for $9.99 per month with a one-time $9.99 activation fee. You get 250 minutes of local and long distance outgoing fax service plus unlimited incoming faxes each month. Extra outgoing fax minutes are only 3.9 cents per minute.

? AT&T Call Vantage: All of their packages offer some level of Fax support. The $19.99 package includes one line for both faxing and calls with unlimited local service. The $29.99 package includes one line for both faxing and calls with unlimited US & Canada service. The $29.99 package includes one line for both faxing and calls with unlimited US & Canada service. The $49.99 2-line package includes one line for calls & Faxes with unlimited US & Canada service and the second line has 500 minutes available for either fax or voice.

? Packet 8: According to their website there is no formal Faxing capabilities. I would assume the modem could be connected to the ATA just like a standard phone. There Terms of Service does not limit the use of a fax machine however it does not guarantee functionality either.

? 1 Touch Tone: According to their website there is no formal Faxing capabilities. I would assume the modem could be connected to the ATA just like a standard phone. There Terms of Service does not forbid the use of a fax machine however it does warn against over usage, which could require a business package upgrade.

? Sun Rocket: According to their website there is no formal Faxing capabilities. I would assume the modem could be connected to the ATA just like a standard phone. There Terms of Service does not forbid the use of a fax machine however it does warn against over usage, which could require a business package upgrade or suspension of service

? Lingo: According to their website there is no formal Faxing capabilities. I would assume the modem could be connected to the ATA just like a standard phone. There Terms of Service does not forbid the use of a fax machine however it does warn against over usage, which could require a business package upgrade or suspension of service

This is just a sample of providers to find out more you can search for additional providers online or visit our website.

As you can see most providers offer Faxing capabilities for free unless over usage or non-residential use is discovered. If you will be using VoIP for purposes other than the once in a while fax then I would suggest upgrading to a business plan that supports increased faxing. For more information regarding VoIP and Faxing visit our site at Michigan VoIP

Article may be reprinted without permission with original content, including signature and links.

Jason Christensen is the creator and editor of Michigan-VoIP-Info.com Visit our site for additional VoIP information Michigan VoIP

Questions And Answers On VoIP Phone Service

What is VoIP phone service?

VoIP phone services let you replace your traditional landline phone with one that connects over the Internet. Today, your phone works on what is called the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), a private network that reaches into your home through the standard phone jacks in the wall.

With VoIP services, your phone connects to the Internet over your cable or DSL modem. To do this, VoIP service providers bundle a small device, called a telephony adapter that plugs into the broadband modem and translates the electrical pulses from your phone into IP packets that travel over the Internet. The way you use your phone is the same, even though the network underneath changes.

What makes it so popular?
What made VoIp phone service gain so much attention is MONEY. Internet telephony is cheap. A local and long distance dialling package can cost as little as $19.95 a month. You won?t find any mainstream, traditional calling plans that meet these rates.

What do you need?
To set up your VoIP, you just first need a reliable broadband Internet connection. If your cable or DSL service cuts out even occasionally, you need to stay away from VoIP services. Every time your Internet access hiccups, so will your phone service.

Second, you will need to install the telephony adapter (TA), which comes with the service. Using a standard phone jack, you can plug your existing home phone into the TA, and then plug the TA into your cable or DSL modem using a standard network cable.

Who should you sign up with?
To answer the question of to whom you should sign up with, many providers offer limited national coverage, so the first order of business is to hunt down a provider that offers local area codes and phone numbers in your location. For example, I?m a big fun of AT&T?s CallVantage, but the service lacks 802 area codes for Vermont. So I will use Vonage.

You should also consider up-front cost in the form of activation fees and penalties for disconnecting a service. For instance, Lingo, Packet 8, and VoiceWing, all charge $40 to $60 if you cancel the service within the first 12 months.

How do you know who is reliable?
Brand names like AT&T CallVantage and the new Verizon VoiceWing probably offer the best assurance that the service won't disappear. But there's a parade of VoIP startups, ranging from the well-established Vonage and long-running Packet 8 services, to up-and-coming offerings like Lingo, VoicePulse, and Broadvox. If it's assurance you want, go with the biggest. And right now, the biggest are Vonage and CallVantage.

Another thing to consider is what happens if the VoIP provider goes out of business. Traditional telephone service is highly regulated, but VoIP providers are popping up all over the place in a laissez-faire marketplace. Should your provider go under, it's quite likely you'll lose access to your phone number (in addition to your phone service). There simply isn't a mechanism for recovering from such an issue yet.

What's the best way to switch?

If you're able to, adopt VoIP for a second line, a home office or kids' phone, for example. That way you won't be in deep trouble should the service go south on you. And you'll get a very good feel for all the quirks that Internet phone services can bring. If you are happy with the second line after three months or so, it's probably safe to switch your primary line over.

Sandra Stammberger is the owner of VOIP 2006. Her website offer information on available technologies and software/hardware product reviews. Visit Voip 2006 now

Common Questions About VoIP

Unless you live in a bubble, you have probably been hearing allot of buzz lately about something called Voice Over IP (VoIP). Perhaps you have heard that you can use VoIP to get cheap or free long distance calling, even Internationally. The good news is that this is true!

VoIP, which stands for Voice Over Internet Protocol is an exciting synergy between computers and telephony, but don't let that scare you. VoIP is just as easy to use as any ordinary telephone. So, you have heard the buzz and perhaps you are curious about taking the plunge and getting set up with VoIP service. Being so new, VoIP is still somewhat shrouded in mystery. Help is here! In this article we will answer several common questions most people have about VoIP Service and help clear up the confusion about the technology and how it can work for you.

What Exactly is VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol)? VoIP is a new technology that makes use of your broadband connection to route your telephone calls over the internet, rather than using the traditional analog telephone lines. This has proven to be a very efficient and cost effective way to place phone calls to anywhere in the world.

Who Can I call? This depends upon your service provider. There are a few different flavors of Voice Over IP Service. Most of the larger VoIP service providers you see advertised to the consumer market (such as Vonage, BlueSky, etc..) work just like your existing phone and enable you to call any phone, anywhere.

What's It Going To Cost? The cost for this service varies depending on the provider and the service plan you select. Currently, most service providers have plans that cost in the $10 - $25 monthly, which is considerably cheaper than ordinary phone service. Keep in mind that this service includes long distance calls. Usually, you can choose from several plans that vary in cost depending on the level of usage you desire. Most companies also offer an unlimited plan that includes unlimited long distance calls.

You will also be plesantly surprised to find that many services such as caller id, call forwarding, call waiting, three way calling, and even voice mail features often come standard with most VoIP plans. Another great benefit is that as it currently stands (in January 2006), the Government does not apply a tax to your VoIP service, unlike the additional taxes and fees that are applied to your standard phone bill. This can amount to a substantial savings alone, but this may only be a temporary benefit. As VoIP gains in popularity, it is more than likely that the Government will find a way to tax that as well.

Do I Need "Special Stuff"? This depends on the provider, once again. One thing that you must have is an always on broadband internet connection. This means DSL or Cable Internet, for home users. Depending on whom you get service with, you will likely have to connect just regular phone to an adapter, or maybe purchase a special phone to use with the service. Check for specials before you sign up, sometimes the equipment is given away for free to encourage you to sign up. Regardless, the investment in hardware for home users of VoIP is very minimal, if it costs you at all.

Can I call 911? You need to check with the provider to ensure that they do indeed provide this functionality. That said, in May 2005, the US Government ordered all interconnected VoIP Providers to provide 911 functionality to their subscribers.

Sounds... Too Good, What's the Catch? Well, there is a minor catch which is that if your internet goes out, so does your phone. This isn't usually too big of a problem, however as most modern broadband ISPs do a great job of maintaining reliable service.

Where Do I Find VoIP Providers? Usually, it is not important that you find a local provider just as long as the provider you choose is based in the same country. Therefore, the internet is a very valuable resource for finding and comparing VoIP providers.

Which one Do I choose? The VoIP provider that you choose is a personal choice, as they all tend to work slightly differently. What sounds the most feasible for your setup and usage requirements is the best choice for you. Do keep in mind that this is a rapidly maturing technology and that changes are occurring all the time. You will want to choose a company that you feel will be able to provide you reliable service in the future.

For more information on VoIP(Voice Over IP) technology and to compare VoIP Providers, visit us at VoIPVolt.com