You may have heard about VOIP technology- after all, it has been around for almost a decade- but if you haven’t taken a good look at the services that provide it these days, you probably aren’t aware of the benefits that it can offer you. That’s because there have been a whole slew of companies that offer VOIP calling plans with lots of extra features that are designed to save you money.
For the uninitiated, VOIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol and it takes advantage of the fact that there aren’t any long distance fees placed on data as it moves across the Internet. VOIP technology streams telephone conversations back and forth across the Internet without any loss of sound quality or even a noticeable increase in time lag. In fact, conversations using VOIP technology can be clearer than those using conventional telephone technology. As a result of this set up, you can make local as well as long distance calls for free. Even international calls can be made with sharply discounted rates.
One of the major ways that modern Voice Over Internet Protocol services have improved upon their forebears is in the equipment that they provide to their customers. It used to be that the only way to make a VOIP phone call was by using a virtual telephone on a computer that was hooked up to a high speed Internet connection. Now, while the high speed Internet connection is necessary, and phone calls can still be made over computers, the computer itself isn’t really necessary. That’s because modern VOIP services can provide you with special routers and adapters that can plug into your high speed Internet connection. Once that’s been done, you can then plug your conventional telephone into the adapter and use it exactly like you would with a normal phone line. Because most of these services give you the option of logging onto their web site to make changes to your account- like initiating call forwarding, blocking numbers, accessing voice mail, and the like- a computer is very helpful to have with this service, but by no means necessary.
Other types of equipment that are out there and will allow you to take better advantage of your VOIP service include special phones that combine adapters and the actual hand sets of the phone. One company even offers a model that consists of an adapter/router, two charging bases, and two cordless hand sets. Once the adapter/router is plugged into the Internet connection, the charging bases for the handsets can be placed by any outlet in your home or office without having to worry about the location of phone jacks.
There’s also equipment available that will allow you to make your VOIP service portable. For example, most adapters are small enough to travel with you in your luggage and can be plugged into any high speed Internet connection so that you can make and receive phone calls using your own number no matter where you are in the world! If you want even more portability, you can get a key chain USB device that can plug into any Windows computer with a high speed Internet connection and turn it into your phone. It even comes with a microphone and ear piece. There’s also a handset that can be used to make and receive calls in any wireless hot spot.
These are just a few of the types of special devices that can make subscribing to a VOIP service more practical and flexible.
By: Julia Hall
Posts Tagged ‘Calling Plans’
5 Ways VOIP Technology is Changing the Phone Business
November 23rd, 2009Few 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
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
