Few technologies have made as sudden an impact on the telecommunications industry as Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP). In a matter of only years, VOIP has changed the way people think about their phone service and, more specifically, the power of the Internet. But is it all just talk, or are there real benefits to be had for you and your business? The following information sheds some light on the most important ways VOIP can change the way you call. How is VOIP Technology Changing the Phone Business?
Here are 5 ways VOIP technology is reshaping the phone business around the world:
Unifying Internet and Phone Technology. One of the promises of modern consumer electronics is the synthesis of varying utilities in a single hub (or videogame machine would be our web browser, etc.). VOIP helps realize this promise by giving people the power to control their phone communications from their computer.
Ending the reliance on land-line phones. Already, millions of individuals have given up their traditional land-line phones in favor of their cell phones. Now, more and more people are cutting the cord because of access to VOIP.
Providing free calls to millions of customers. One of the strongest selling points of VOIP phone systems continues to be the FREE calling from one service customer to another. If you and your friends, family, business partners or clients have access to the same VOIP service, the calls are gratis with most providers.
Freeing customers from the bonds of big telecommunications companies. For far too long, big telecom providers have held their customers hostage with high prices and long-term commitments. VOIP providers, on the other hand, have taken things in another direction. By giving people more power to choose their own calling plans and remove the limits that long-term contracts have placed on them.
By helping businesses save money. Businesses that choose to work with VOIP technology can potentially save thousands of dollars on infrastructure costs. Without having to worry about heavy phone installations, equipment and draconian service arrangements, businesses of all sizes can use much needed funds to develop their business in other ways.
VOIP usage for businesses and individuals has seen double-digit growth in each of the past several years. This is happening because more people are learning about this innovative, ground-breaking technology and jumping on board. Low start up costs and easy-access are also helping to fuel this growth in what looks to be a dominant part of the communications landscape for years to come.
By: Mark Etinger
Archive for November, 2009
5 Ways VOIP Technology is Changing the Phone Business
November 23rd, 2009Tired of Never-ending Phone Bills? Try a Free VoIP Call!
November 19th, 2009What are the typical things we use the Internet for? Well, we use it to research for diverse information and also to download the latest music videos released by our favorite bands. At same time, we check our mails and also to get in touch with our friends. But how many of us use this technology to place phone calls? As incredible as it may seem, a lot of the Internet users have welcomed the appearance of VoIP technology, enjoying the wide array of offers presented online and the truly advantageous calling rates.
VoIP has been considered and it actually is a genuine revolutionary concept, especially designed to satisfy our enhanced needs for communication. This technology is compatible with regular landline phones, computers and also mobile phones. One can easily make a free VoIP call over the Internet, after carefully choosing a detailed calling plan and finding out more about how VoIP works in reality. Today, VoIP might be interpreted as forward-looking but it certainly is not new anymore. People are learning about its advantages and how they can switch from regular telephony services to these ones.
With VoIP you can really call everywhere around the world and at great calling rates also! There are unlimited calling packages with international saver features included, allowing you to call in over 35 destinations worldwide. The package also includes 500 free minutes and it is just ?6.99/month. One can call to UK, USA and Canada landlines, not to mention take advantage of the VoIP mobile call opportunity. Free VoIP call features are also present in new packages, offered for countries like India, Pakistan or Bangladesh. At the same time, VoIP service providers include in their monthly packages free incoming numbers, which can be used no matter the country you are in or travel to.
Specialists have been testing the market ever since the first time when VoIP technology was introduced. They wanted to know how important it is for Internet users to opportunity of placing a free VoIP call and how much they rely on VoIP services to satisfy their needs for communication. The results were satisfactory and thus it was decided for VoIP technology to be constantly improved. More calling plans were added and the calling rates were made even more advantageous. VoIP services providers have started to lead almost aggressive promotional campaigns, trying to attract potential customers to their side.
Your Choice VoIP is the kind of company that can cater to every preference you have regarding this technology. It offers you the possibility of a free VoIP call and the most incredible features for your calling plan. They can assist you no matter if you want to use this technology from a regular phone, a PC or recently your mobile phone. These guys are the best at what they do and if you want a truly professional VoIP service provider you should definitely consider them. The VoIP packages they offer have great prices and they are specifically tailored to meet the needs of every individual.
The unlimited packages include a free incoming number and they can help you save a lot on your phone bill, you being required to pay a modest sum of ? 9.99 per month. You do not have to wait too long to be able to call and the account creation is completely free. They also give you a free softphone and you are not obliged to sign any contract whatsoever. The calling rates as it was already mentioned are low and they have a lot of pretty other great stuff to offer, including a VoIP adapter that can help you receive calls on your VoIP line.
Why is it a good thing that we have VoIP technology today besides the obvious reasons? Well, because we can also use it on your mobile phones. The mobile softphone software is usually downloaded from the Internet and one just has to configure the VoIP account online so as he/she can start placing a VoIP mobile call. How does unlimited free calling sound? Truly great, doesn’t it? We all know that VoIP is the use of Internet connection for making telephone calls but how cool it actually is to use our mobile phones to perform such actions?
If you want to make a VoIP mobile call yourself, then by all means download the Fring software with just a simple text message. Use the Internet to find out more information about how you can manage your VoIP mobile account and see what the required monthly fees are. The only required Internet connection for placing a VoIP mobile call is GPRS or WiFi and most of the mobile phones have them nowadays. Just make sure that you resort to a trustworthy VoIP service provide, such as Your Choice VoIP and select the most advantageous calling plan, no matter if it’s for your landline phone or for your mobile.
By: Anne Tide
Things You Need to Know about VoIP Technology
November 18th, 2009VOIP is the buzz word everywhere and it is time you understood the VOIP technology and why it is usurping the traditional telephone system. VOIP is an acronym for Voice over Internet Protocol, or simply stated, it is phone service over the Internet. If you have a broadband Internet connection, you can then get phone service delivered through the Internet connection instead of the local phone company.
You must know how different will the VOIP technology be over your conventional telephone system. There are, of course, a lot in common, but there are also some decided advantages that VOIP technology offers. VOIP will facilitate local, long distance and international telephone calls over your high-speed internet connection at incredibly low rates. VOIP technology is constantly getting updated and there are a lot of new features getting added.
Few of the attractive VOIP telephone system features are – voice mail, three-way conference, speed dialing, call forwarding, simultaneous ring, call waiting, caller ID, call return, caller ID block, anonymous call rejection, do not disturb feature, and last number redial. This is not to speak of the tremendous cost savings you can enjoy by switching over to VOIP.
An IP address identifies each IP phone, and it is known by this IP address regardless where it is plugged in. The only thing required would be a broadband connection. This makes the system both portable and flexible.
If you use VoIP through a PC-to-PC connection, then your calls are free anywhere, as long as, the receiver of the call also has VoIP. Further, most VoIP providers offer unlimited calling plans for calls made within a certain area, for single monthly fee. Whatever the use, one thing is abundantly clear – traditional phone service is much costlier. Most VOIP service providers also offer extra premium services such as caller id, without additional charges.
This is not to say that VOIP has no demerits. As a matter of fact, there was a recent press release stating the technical review conducted by the British government has found several security flaws in products that use VOIP. There is also concern that the VOIP does not full support its own encryptions yet. Thus it will be easy to eavesdrop on VOIP telephones and to even alter what is spoken.
Another major problem with VOIP is that it is run by power and if there is a power outage, your communications will come to a standstill. This is unlike traditional phone service, where you can still use your phone without the aid of electricity. Voice quality of VOIP is certainly efficient under normal conditions, but when you run into high traffic times in cable broadband, it could affect voice quality.
There is no denying that VOIP still has some drawbacks to be ironed out. You may exercise your discretion whether to go in for VOIP technology now or wait for some more time till these limitations are removed. It is reasonably expected that sooner than later, the research wing of the company will address these shortcomings and perfect the VOIP technology. But in the ultimate analysis, VOIP’s benefits outweigh its negatives and it is for the intending buyer to study the pros and cons and make an informed decision.
By: Cyril Bird
