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)

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

The Task Of VoIP Security

Voice over Internet protocol (VOIP) is not a new phenomenon. It has been around the business community for many years. But it's increasing popularity among average citizens looking for more affordable and technology-driven options in long distance telephone service is becoming quite the phenomenon. As with any "new" technology on the forefront, often the excitement of getting the product out and available to the public precludes any real consideration for issues such as security flaws. And the consumers often don't consider such problems until it is too late, like when they have fallen victim to a hacker. Just as traditional telephone systems are vulnerable to breaches in security, VOIP has its own, more complex security issues.

There has been very little implementation of VOIP security systems to date. More than likely, this is because there has been no really dangerous attack on an IP system yet. Most customers of VOIP are likely more interested in cost and quality than security at this point, have not heard of any notable attacks. Waiting for that to happen, though, can be a costly and inconvenient mistake. It is wise to consider being proactive in securing VOIP phone systems, just as an organization does not hesitate in securing their other information networks. Though security products seem costly now, as the demand for VOIP systems continue to increase, new VOIP security products will likely be developed down the road that can be incorporated into all-in-one applications to protect entire information networks. This will make the possibility of an organization totally securing its information and voice networks not so costly or daunting to consider.

There are a few characteristics of VOIP that are particularly vulnerable to security breaches, and subscribers to the service should be aware of these. With VOIP, call information is logged on call management boxes, where the VOIP services are also put into action. These boxes are vulnerable to viruses and hackers' attacks, which could result in a loss of data that might be considered confidential to the organization. This could have a snowball effect, compromising an organization's reliability and trust with customers or clients, and cost them a lot of money down the line in data retrieval and security upgrades. That is why it is important to consider VOIP security from the outset, and make certain that any data storage is safely guarded behind a firewall.

Another potentially defenseless aspect of VOIP is the gateway from which voice data is routed between the source and the destination. These gateways are extremely susceptible to attacks by hackers looking to gain the ability to make free telephone calls. Eavesdropping should be yet another worry of those subscribing to VOIP service. Hackers use special tools to find, store, play back, and even alter voice data that they track down. This can have devastating consequences for an organization that might deal in highly sensitive or confidential information. Encrypting VOIP voice traffic, using firewalls, and restricting access by using an alternate domain for VOIP traffic and restricting the use of that domain through an access list are but a few of the ways to cut any VOIP security issues off at the pass.

Not considering the potential security issues that could arise using VOIP phone technology is not wise. Waiting for something to happen and trying to solve the problem after the fact can be costly for an organization, both for its customers and associates and its bottom line. When email was a new and exciting technology, security was not thought much of, until worms and viruses began infesting the inboxes of people worldwide. And now it seems that email security measures are struggling to keep up with the potential dangers. Knowing that there is a potential for disaster, and being proactive in trying to prevent sensitive voice data from being hacked and stolen by investing in VOIP security systems on the outset is the best way to get the most out of VOIP phone technology.

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

5 Steps to VoIP

So you're ready to enjoy unlimited long distance calling and lower monthly phone bills. Well, before you make the switch, here are five steps that will help you get the VoIP plan that is best for you.

Make the Decision

Yes, it is new technology, and sometimes we are scared of the unknown. VoIP technology is on the rise and many high profile computer companies are already switching to VoIP and in return are becoming service providers. AOL, Sprint, and Verizon are offering VoIP as well as Internet Messaging services such as Yahoo, MSN, and AOL IM. First you must come to the decision that VoIP is best for you, your family, or your business needs. Research VoIP on the web and its providers. Talk to people that you know have already made the switch. Once you have made your decision to switch to VoIP, you are ready for the next step.

Choose the Plan that is Right for You

A good idea is to make a written list of your needs, wants, and features in a phone. This will help you compare different plans and choose the service provider that will best fit your needs. If you are looking for residential or business service, make sure that you note that in your list. Residential plans usually come in two forms- basic (which is a certain amount of minutes) and unlimited (which will give you unlimited local and long distance talk time). Business plans can include amenities such as multiple phones, greater minute talk time, greater unlimited calling plans, business features bundled with your plan, faxing and voicemail to your computer capabilities, and extras such as yellow page listings. Check with the company to find the plan that meets your requirements.

Setting up the System

Some service providers will send you the equipment that you need to begin using VoIP. You will first need to make sure that your computer system is compatible with the VoIP service. You will also need to have high speed Internet already installed with your computer. If you are using VoIP for a business or for a call center, it is best to leave the installation to a professional. Installing VoIP for a residence or home office is typically simple enough for most residents to do themselves.

Choosing your Phone Number

One of the best features that VoIP has to offer is the freedom to select your own telephone number. If you just want to transfer your old number to your new VoIP system, check with your service provider before making your final decision. Many VoIP providers will allow you to transfer your phone number.

If you want to select a different area code, this option has many advantages. First, for friends and family members who don't have unlimited long distance calling, selecting the same area code as them can save them money. They will appreciate being able to call you as if it were a local call.

This strategy is also very beneficial for those whose businesses are targeting specific areas. Say there is a California company, yet they want to increase business in Tampa, Florida. By selecting the Tampa, Florida area code, they can increase sales and productivity by having a local number for customers to call. This also reduces the need for a toll free number.

Install your Features and Accessories

VoIP comes with many features included in your service plan. For residential customers these include Voicemail, Caller ID, Call Forwarding, Call Block, and Do Not Disturb. Always check with your service provider for a detailed listing of the features included with your plan. For Small businesses, amenities such as multi phone users, free fax lines, and integrating your VoIP and web features are all available. VoIP also contains many of the same features bundled with basic plans as well. When you are choosing a provider, compare their business plans and select the one that best fits your business needs.

As VoIP technology continues to advance, a new array of accessories appears on the market. Today you can choose from VoIP phones, headsets, and even VoIP videophones that work as a web camera incorporating video with your audio.

Olivia Tan is co-publisher of All VoIP Solution. She provides tips and review on VoIP conference software and VoIP Phone Service

VoIP Technology - Talk is Cheap!

VoIP products are integral to the most advanced and reliable VoIP and Voice over ATM platforms currently sold by leading VoIP telecom and networking companies worldwide. VoIP products based on VoIP enabled technology products employ Voice over Packet chip processors, VoIP PCI and cPCI communication boards and VoIP media gateway modules (PMC form factor).

VoIP companies provide voice over packet (VoIP) processors for OEM implementations of voice communications over packet networks or "VoIP". Each VoIP processor features low bit rate Vocoders, a State-of-the-art Echo Canceller and T.38 compliant fax relay. High and medium density gateways, residential gateways and integrated access devices (IAD) are among the major users of VoIP chip processors. These VoIP solutions power client applications from small gateways and IP phones... An As an indication of market size... one major VoIP provider has over 10 million ports installed and growing rapidly.

VoIP Products - Gateway Network The entire VoIP gateway network is based on continued advances in VoIP media boards that offer field proven solutions. Product design of proper PSTN interfaces is a critical factors in VoIP deployment. How can small or medium-sized gateways compete in the market? By implementing cost-effective solutions for enterprise or small POPs and fast market penetration into new and emerging markets. On the other hand, large VoIP gateways are designed to meet major carriers' operational requirements.

VoIP Products - Market Driven The rapid VoIP market expansion for VoIP Gateways led to the large diversity in VoIP products. Today, VoIP providers may choose from different sized gateways for VoIP networks of different sizes. Also, Mediant VoIP gateways enable carriers to address multi-regional requirements and strengthen economics of deployment. For instance, providing PSTN signaling and compression technology deployed in over 75 countries is quite a challenge. Fortunately, VoIP technology may quickly enter new regions and conserve precious bandwidth in hard-to-reach offices.

AudioCodes Ltd. is a market leader in voice compression technology and is a key originator of the ITU G.723.1 standard for the emerging VoIP market. AudioCodes enabling technology products include VoIP, CTI and call logging communication boards, VoIP media gateway processors and modules.

For more information on VoIP and emerging VoIP technology, visit AudioCodes

Johnny Mayer writes on travel, technology, software, diamonds and jewelry, business, music and more

VoIP Telephony Basics

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) Telephony is the process of routing voice conversations over an Internet Protocol network, rather than through traditional circuit-switched telephone lines. The voice information is converted into digital data packets and then transmitted over an IP network, such as the internet, or a local area network.

The main advantage of VoIP is the fact that it is highly efficient, and thus very affordable. The cost of transferring digital information over an IP telephony network is significantly less than that of transferring analog information over a traditional telephone line. Because of this, VoIP users can make long distance and international calls to anywhere in the world, at any time of day, for a fraction of what an ordinary phone company would charge.

Although call quality was originally a problem for VoIP customers, this issue has improved greatly with todays progressing technology. Because of the fact that VoIP traffic goes over a broadband line, there is enough bandwidth available to allow for very good sound quality.

As anyone familiar with telecommunications would probably tell you, VoIP Telephony is revolutionizing the way that people around the world make phone calls. More and more people are seeing the benefits of VoIP, and the number of users worldwide is growing at an astounding pace.

If you have a broadband internet connection, and a touch tone telephone, you are fully equipped to set up your very own broadband phone system, and start making use of VoIP Telephony to save money on all your long distance phone calls.

For more information on the benefits of VoIP, and how you can start using it to save money on your phone bill, please visit http://voip-telephony.teleclick.ca/connect/ ...

Jeremy Maddock is the owner of a successful telecommunications news website http://www.teleclick.ca