VoIP - A great option for ...

VOIP, A Viable Option for Home or Business Phone Service by Bob Graham


Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) is rapidly changing the way people make phone calls. Most people have already made or received calls over a VOIP connection without even knowing they were talking over the Internet. This is the case because a VOIP phone is just like a conventional phone except the signal is digitalized and sent over the Internet rather than through a conventional analog phone system. In most cases, the call quality is as good or even better than a standard telephone.

Don't confuse VOIP with the older PC to Phone technology. With a VOIP system a user does not need a personal computer with headphones and a speaker in order to make a call. Instead, the VOIP Service Provider provides an adapter (converter) that the user connects to their high speed Internet cable and plugs in their telephone. The box converts the analog signal from a standard telephone to a digital signal that can be sent over the Internet. All a user needs to make and receive calls are a broadband or DSL Internet connection with a cable modem, an adapter and a standard telephone. It is really that easy.

The big difference between VOIP and conventional phone service is the cost. Consumers can get VOIP service for as little as $15 per month with limited long distance. VOIP service with unlimited long distance to the USA and Canada starts at about $20 per month. Similar conventional local service with unlimited long distance can run as high as $70 per month. In most cases, consumers can get a better call package that contains more features and save a lot of money by switching to VOIP.

VOIP service can be purchased from large, established companies like AT&T and Time Warner or smaller, relative newcomers like Vonage and VOIPnetAdvantage. In general, the larger companies charge significantly more money for similar service packages and the same technology. Call quality does not change significantly between companies because they all use the same or similar adapters and the calls go over the Internet not wires, cables or switches owned by the VOIP service provider.

As with all purchases, consumers should read the fine print when purchasing VOIP service. The monthly charge, fees and taxes are typically disclosed on the service provider's website but it is often not easy to find and understand all of the charges. The following are some questions to answer when shopping for VOIP service.

* What does the service cost each month? Be sure and compare the monthly cost of VOIP service from different service providers on the same basis. For example, compare the cost of plans from different companies that include local and unlimited long distance in the USA and Canada (these are common). Don't compare plans with monthly limits on long distance with those that have unlimited long distance. * What is included in the monthly service fee? Properly determine the monthly charge for the plans being considered. Some service provider's charge a flat rate each month, including all fees and taxes, while others advertise a monthly rate but add on additional fees and taxes. * What does it cost to set up service? Most VOIP service providers will charge a shipping fee, to cover the cost of sending the adapter, and an activation fee. Be sure to include any promotions like free service for the first month. * What does it cost to cancel service? Some companies charge nothing if service is canceled while others charge a fee and may make the customer buy the converter if it is not returned in "like new" condition. * Does the service provider offer a guarantee? Some companies will allow the user to try the service and not charge them if it is canceled within a certain time period. * How much do international calls cost? Some people never make international calls while most people make international calls at some time. Like conventional long distance, the cost for making international calls is typically not included in the monthly fee. The cost of international calls can vary significantly between VOIP service providers.

Whether VOIP service is purchased from a large conglomerate or a small company specializing in VOIP phone service, the monthly cost savings will be significant when compared to conventional phone service. This is true for either home or business use. In most cases, the call quality will be crystal clear. All consumers who have high speed Internet connections should consider VOIP phone service.


About the Author
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Aboard The Broadband-Wagon

'Broadband' is the general term used to refer to high-speed information transmission over networks, and nowadays is used increasingly to mean a fast Internet connection.

The term has more to do with the electrical waveform ('signal') being transmitted. The signal can come to you through a variety of physical arrangements: a DSL line, a T1 line, a TV cable, a wireless link and even your utility power line.

Which physical arrangement is best for you depends a great deal on what is available in your geographical area and the price of each arrangement. You should do a comparison of speeds and costs and choose what is optimal for you. Just be sure you do not choose an ISDN line (because it is getting obsolete) or power line (because the technology is not mature, and it will be some years before the bugs are ironed out).

Live in a large city and want free wireless broadband Internet? Your wish is or will be granted! Almighty Google is busy fixing antennae to lampposts in major cities so that your computer can access the Internet much in the same way your mobile phone accesses your cellular network: almost anywhere in any city. Not only will you get driving directions to that restaurant you are going to, the maitre d' will appear on a small screen and take your order as you drive.

~ Broadband's Bag of Goodies ~

Broadband has brought a slew of valuable capabilities to the Internet:

1. Good Video

First of all, you can download smooth, non-jerky video. Consequently an increasing number of sites are including rich graphics, Flash and video to enhance the appeal of their messages. You can now download feature films from over 200,000 Web TV stations and watch them as they stream into your computer ("stream them"). No more trips to the video library and no more renting DVDs!

You can share your screen and talk with co-workers located at far-flung locations (or just relax and play Xbox or PS2 games with them). You can interact with them from the convenience of your home computer, and the need for a physical office can be dispensed with. This implies less travel in your car, less gasoline consumption and less pollution of the atmosphere by engine exhaust gases.

You can search online video archives with specialized search engines. This means you can download video that matches your chosen phrases. Examples would be "Nick Lachey singing 'My Everything' to Jessica Simpson", "Oprah visiting Katrina victims" or "how to toss a thin pizza shell". There is no longer a need to wait for your subject to be broadcast.

2. Cheap Long Distance

Broadband has enabled miracle of low-cost long-distance Internet telephony. This application is based on the renowned technology, VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol). You can now speak to your loved ones or business associates in most other parts of the world for 2 cents a minute!

No more waiting for late nights or weekends to get those "free minutes"... you can afford to call anytime. Additionally, the sound clarity is several times better than that of a conventional phone call... voices are loud and clear with little or no background noise.

This means you can stay in touch more often. You can get news faster and offer advice without delay. For instance, a timely observation about a certain medical treatment could very well save the life of the person at the other end!

3. Always On

With Broadband, you are always connected to the Internet. No more dialing up and waiting to connect. The dialing time is freed up for you to use for other things.

In most cases, you get a telephone connection with the broadband connection, so you can simultaneously speak on the phone and surf the Internet. Your phone line will not be busy when you surf so that people can reach you even if you are online.

One important user of this constant connectivity is security. You can have inexpensive webcams mounted in various locations of your home or office and connect them to the Internet. Since your broadband connection is always 'live', you can monitor your house from anywhere, anytime. No more worrying when away from your desk or living room!

~ Conclusion ~

The day is not far when dial-up connections will be a rarity. If you have not yet upgraded to broadband, start working at doing so NOW. You will definitely not regret it.


About the Author
John J Stockwell is an engineer with considerable experience in Internet technologies. Get even more information on broadband from his website at http://broadband-aa.info