VoIP
The biggest benefits of the latest technology in Voice over Internet Protocol – VoIP – are to small businesses, residences and home offices. It may seem a bit confusing when shopping for VoIP, but when you are finished and have found the right match, it will be worth it.
Broadband and DSL computer usage are already installed in many home offices and small businesses so adding VoIP technology will be quick and easy. This technology becomes a viable option for reducing the cost of long distance telephone calls.
Choosing to work with one of the bigger named carriers of VoIP technology will give you better customer service, a wider calling area, more features and new technology and reliability when you need a call to go through. Some of the newer, start up companies can offer the same, but you should check with their current customers to make sure they are happy with their services.
A few of the things to consider when choosing the right VoIP network for you are: price, quality of calls, customer support and service and ease of use of the hardware and software involved.
Pricing – several of the VoIP network companies offer ‘unlimited’ packages where you can make unlimited calls for a fixed rate per month. This is a good plan for a home or business because it’s a great way to budget your communications bill every month. Many of these ‘unlimited calling packages’ charge anywhere from $15 to $45 a month and come with a wide variety of calling features.
Standard VoIP features – many of the standard features with the VoIP networks are not standard with a regular telephone company and this is a great advantage. Some of these features include, voice mail, three way calling, call forwarding, caller ID, online account management and conference calling and much more. One of these features alone would cost you upwards of $7. 50 or more per month with a traditional phone company.
Contracts vs. no contracts – there are many companies that offer the VoIP services without locking you into a contract. They offer their services on a month to month bases and this works great for people who are about to move or small businesses who just started or a number of people who aren’t sure they want to stick with the VoIP networks.
VoIP hardware – with some VoIP networks, the equipment or hardware may be part of the contract and you will receive the ATA – analog telephone adaptor or an IP phone. The IP phone is a regular phone except it has an Ethernet connection where you plug the phone cord into. It makes the phone into a modem for your telephone system.
Where do you get VoIP services? – You can get the VoIP services through the Internet or through companies local to your area. They will provide you with all the hardware and software you will need to start making phone calls through the use of the VoIP service network.