VoIP is the acronym for Voice Over Internet Protocol. You may

have also heard VoIP referred to as Internet Voice, Voice Over

The Internet or IP Telephony.

VoIP is a technology that lets a person use a broadband

Internet connection to make telephone calls instead of using a

regular land-line telephone.

The types of VoIP services vary with provider. With some you

can only call other people who have the same service you do.

But more and more service providers have service packages that

allow you to use VoIP to call anybody who has a telephone

number whether it is a local call, a long distance call, a cell

phone, or an international phone number.

Another thing that varies is what you use to make the calls

when using VoIP. Depending on what the service provider you

choose offers and what your preferences are, calls can be

completed by using a computer, a specially designed VoIP phone,

or a regular phone that you attach a special adapter to.

A common question people ask about VoIP is how it works. The

technology coverts the analog voice signal from the phone into

a digital signal. That digital signal then travels over the

Internet. When the signal reaches the person being called, the

signal is transferred back into a protocol the end user’s

equipment can read. If the VoIP service provider you choose

assigns you a regular telephone number then anyone with a phone

can call you. They won’t need any specialized equipment.

One advantage of having VoIP service is that you do not need to

have a separate phone line. You can use your broadband Internet

connection for both your online computer connection and your

phone service. And you can be using your computer and your VoIP

service at the same time.

Another advantage of VoIP service is that it can cost much less

than having regular phone service especially if you make a lot

of long distance or international calls. Depending on the

service provider you use, an attractively priced package with

unlimited long distance minutes may be included. And

international rates are great – most cost less than 10 cents a

minute and some international calls are less than 5 cents a

minute.

Another advantage of some VoIP service plans is that you can

choose a home calling area and area code outside of where you

live. This can be an attractive option if you make a large

portion of your calls to one specific area. This can be a

disadvantage too because then your neighbor down the street or

relative two blocks away may have to pay long distance rates to

call you.

Another disadvantage you need to be aware of if you are

considering purchasing VoIP service is that it may not work if

your power goes out. This means you may not have phone access

in the case of an emergency.

Another disadvantage is that some VoIP services do not work

with the United State’s E-911 systems. But regulations now

require VoIP service providers to make you aware that their

system does not work with E-911 before you sign up. Other

providers do have E-911 integrated into their systems. They do

it by assigning a phone number to your modem and then

associating your address with that modem. That information is

given to local authorities. Then, if you dial 9-1-1 the address

associated with that modem will show on the 9-1-1 system.

Be aware however that if you move the modem to another physical

address you need to make sure your VoIP service provider is

aware so that the address associated with the modem can be

changed to the new address. Otherwise if you dial 9-1-1 from

the new address your old address will show in the 9-1-1 system.

Another thing to be aware of if you are considering VoIP

service as a replacement for your traditional phone service is

that some VoIP providers do not offer services you may be used

to having such as directory assistance and white page listings.

VoIP services and plans are changing frequently as the

technology develops and new companies offer VoIP service. If

you are considering VoIP service the most important thing to do

is research to determine if VoIP is right for you and then to

determine the best service provider for you. The best way to do

this is to compare several VoIP services and also compare the

VoIP services you are considering with your existing phone

service.

If after doing your research you decide to purchase VoIP

service, check to see if the provider has a trial period in

which you can cancel. Most service providers have some sort of

trial period. One popular provider has a 30 day trial period.

If you try the service and decide it is not for you, you have

30 days to cancel.

The trial period is a good time for you to find out what the

quality of your voice calls is going to be with VoIP because it

varies. Some providers are able to provide the same voice

quality as traditional phone service providers but others may

not be able to provide voice quality that is as high as that of

traditional phone service.

By taking a little time to do research and check out several

VoIP providers you have the best chance of having a good buying

experience if you do decide to purchase VoIP service.