VoIP Internet Phone Services Grow
August 16, 2009 by VoIP and Internet Telephony Tips
Filed under About VoIP
The new technology surrounding Voice over Internet phone plans (VoIP Phones) and all the different ways they can deployed in home and office environments, makes VoIP confusing to a lot of people. For home users and cell phone customers, it is very simple to use and no knowledge of VoIP technology is needed. Yet, VoIP usage is still not at the level many industry experts thought it should be. The VoIP consumer marketplace is competitive with phone companies and VoIP providers battling for the consumer’s minds and wallets. As long as consumers are content and don’t understand VoIP service and its value, the big phone companies can keep charging excessively high phone call rates and providing fewer services.
Many consumers still lack the information about VoIP phones and Internet phone service plans they need to make a shift to VoIP. Many will wait until there is a critical mass effect. That’s when a large number of people will shift to VoIP and when VoIP lingo is a common part of people’s vocabulary. Since VoIP operates seamlessly with current phone systems, it’s not a technology that jumps out at people.
Not long ago Google was an obscure web search engine that had little consumer usage. But then Google started to make noise, and it did so with the help of students and web marketers who believed it had something to offer. Now, the word Google is used as a verb and people wonder how they ever got along with its info finding magic. VoIP is starting the same way but still hasn’t found a way to move into mainstream consumer lifestyles. Rest assured though, that VoIP companies are targeting a variety of consumer demographic groups such as teens with cell phones, migrating people to Europe and North America who want to stay in close contact with their relatives back home, and businesses with multiple distant office locations who need inter-office phone communications. For regular home phone users, the value proposition they’re receiving is not as compelling. That will change too as VoIP companies research ways to make that home phone service more valuable to consumers, or to make it unnecessary to keep it.
That critical mass event happens when users believe they have a clear cost savings advantage to make the switch from using their regular telephone service to a VoIP phone service. Being able to dump the home phone would certainly provide a reduction in monthly bills, but consumers aren’t dropping their expensive land lines, even though they may have cable television and cell phone bills to boot. In telecommunications, it seems consumers are over-serviced, and a solution is needed. Internet telephony has that potential to eliminate some of the redundant services, but it hasn’t matured to the point where it can shape the phone services market by itself.
Phone companies in defending themselves, put a fair amount of effort into discussing the possible downside of VoIP and some have even put restrictions on VoIP transmissions to try to thwart VoIP service providers. Old stories of lost calls, garbled voice quality, non functional 911 assistance, and loss of privacy don’t carry much weight anymore though. Quality and technical issues are almost all resolved and the services continue to improve. So, if it’s not technical issues that are preventing widespread VoIP adoption, then what is the problem?
Need to Drop the Land Line
Many consumers won’t adopt a VoIP service until they can drop their current phone company land line completely. Despite the desire to do so, many appear to be resisting eliminating their dependence on the old lines. Most don’t want to be paying for two phone services at the same time, yet they do. A billion people on the planet have cell phones now, so that means there are a lot of phone lines that aren’t necessary, or that are too expensive given the value they offer. As long as phone companies can make customer’s land lines indispensable, or encourage them to stay put, they know their customers won’t switch to VoIP plans. So that leaves many consumers with more than one phone, a home phone and a mobile phone, and it’s costing them a lot of money.
For those who don’t make frequent long distance phone calls, the cost savings from VoIP service plans aren’t compelling enough. However, when you add the cost of the call and line features that phone companies add onto the monthly phone bill, the scenario changes. Call features such as caller ID, call blocking, call waiting, and voice mail, are free with VoIP plans. If these aren’t enough to entice consumers, VoIP companies will certainly look to sweeten the offer. Internet protocol communications are improving all the time and there will be more to offer the consumer such as; services via PDA’s, Blackberries, and IP hard phones connected to WiFi and WiMax services.
Internet Phoning Drawbacks
When VoIP users make a call to another VoIP user, the call is essentially free. However, not everyone has a VoIP-based phone to receive VoIP calls. Many only have their land line or in some cases, a cell phone. That means the call has to go from the Internet into the PSTN or public switched phone system in the destination state or country. This is where the cost of a call shows up. Usually the cost is low for terminating the call to the end user. If the caller is making a long distance call however, this nominal cost is a small sacrifice compared to what they’ll be paying on their traditional home phone service.
High speed DSL customers must have their basic phone service, so as long as they need the high speed Internet connection, they might not switch to VoIP. For cable subscribers, a land line is not needed and VoIP works very well with Cable Internet service. For cable subscribers, the land-based home phone really isn’t needed so the jump to VoIP should be an easy one for cable subscribers. If they aren’t making the leap to VoIP, it might indicate a lack of confidence in cable networks. Most people still have trouble comprehending that a voice telephone call can go through the cable company, or that it will be reliable. Cable companies have come a long way with their technology and networks and are more than capable of providing top notch phone services.
With better education of telecommunications consumers and the presentation of a solid value proposition that offers more than a little cost savings, VoIP will grow steadily. For those with international calling needs, VoIP is already the solution they’re looking for. For small businesses with lots of long distance calling, the savings are even more pronounced. What’s needed is more consumer education. With that, many will finally wean themselves from their dependence on that old analog-based land line telephone and launch into an era of cheap digital phone calls. That day is coming soon as the major phone companies are under increasing pressure to raise the price of local phone service in the face of a major shift to VoIP transmission. Critical mass will occur when price plus features create a force that overcomes consumer’s inertia.
Thanks to Scott White for contributing this article to our VoIP blog:
Many consumers still lack the information about VoIP phones and Internet phone service plans they need to make a shift to VoIP. Many will wait until there is a critical mass effect. That’s when a large number of people will shift to VoIP and when VoIP lingo is a common part of people’s vocabulary. Since VoIP operates seamlessly with current phone systems, it’s not a technology that jumps out at people.
Not long ago Google was an obscure web search engine that had little consumer usage. But then Google started to make noise, and it did so with the help of students and web marketers who believed it had something to offer. Now, the word Google is used as a verb and people wonder how they ever got along with its info finding magic. VoIP is starting the same way but still hasn’t found a way to move into mainstream consumer lifestyles. Rest assured though, that VoIP companies are targeting a variety of consumer demographic groups such as teens with cell phones, migrating people to Europe and North America who want to stay in close contact with their relatives back home, and businesses with multiple distant office locations who need inter-office phone communications. For regular home phone users, the value proposition they’re receiving is not as compelling. That will change too as VoIP companies research ways to make that home phone service more valuable to consumers, or to make it unnecessary to keep it.
That critical mass event happens when users believe they have a clear cost savings advantage to make the switch from using their regular telephone service to a VoIP phone service. Being able to dump the home phone would certainly provide a reduction in monthly bills, but consumers aren’t dropping their expensive land lines, even though they may have cable television and cell phone bills to boot. In telecommunications, it seems consumers are over-serviced, and a solution is needed. Internet telephony has that potential to eliminate some of the redundant services, but it hasn’t matured to the point where it can shape the phone services market by itself.
Phone companies in defending themselves, put a fair amount of effort into discussing the possible downside of VoIP and some have even put restrictions on VoIP transmissions to try to thwart VoIP service providers. Old stories of lost calls, garbled voice quality, non functional 911 assistance, and loss of privacy don’t carry much weight anymore though. Quality and technical issues are almost all resolved and the services continue to improve. So, if it’s not technical issues that are preventing widespread VoIP adoption, then what is the problem?
Need to Drop the Land Line
Many consumers won’t adopt a VoIP service until they can drop their current phone company land line completely. Despite the desire to do so, many appear to be resisting eliminating their dependence on the old lines. Most don’t want to be paying for two phone services at the same time, yet they do. A billion people on the planet have cell phones now, so that means there are a lot of phone lines that aren’t necessary, or that are too expensive given the value they offer. As long as phone companies can make customer’s land lines indispensable, or encourage them to stay put, they know their customers won’t switch to VoIP plans. So that leaves many consumers with more than one phone, a home phone and a mobile phone, and it’s costing them a lot of money.
For those who don’t make frequent long distance phone calls, the cost savings from VoIP service plans aren’t compelling enough. However, when you add the cost of the call and line features that phone companies add onto the monthly phone bill, the scenario changes. Call features such as caller ID, call blocking, call waiting, and voice mail, are free with VoIP plans. If these aren’t enough to entice consumers, VoIP companies will certainly look to sweeten the offer. Internet protocol communications are improving all the time and there will be more to offer the consumer such as; services via PDA’s, Blackberries, and IP hard phones connected to WiFi and WiMax services.
Internet Phoning Drawbacks
When VoIP users make a call to another VoIP user, the call is essentially free. However, not everyone has a VoIP-based phone to receive VoIP calls. Many only have their land line or in some cases, a cell phone. That means the call has to go from the Internet into the PSTN or public switched phone system in the destination state or country. This is where the cost of a call shows up. Usually the cost is low for terminating the call to the end user. If the caller is making a long distance call however, this nominal cost is a small sacrifice compared to what they’ll be paying on their traditional home phone service.
High speed DSL customers must have their basic phone service, so as long as they need the high speed Internet connection, they might not switch to VoIP. For cable subscribers, a land line is not needed and VoIP works very well with Cable Internet service. For cable subscribers, the land-based home phone really isn’t needed so the jump to VoIP should be an easy one for cable subscribers. If they aren’t making the leap to VoIP, it might indicate a lack of confidence in cable networks. Most people still have trouble comprehending that a voice telephone call can go through the cable company, or that it will be reliable. Cable companies have come a long way with their technology and networks and are more than capable of providing top notch phone services.
With better education of telecommunications consumers and the presentation of a solid value proposition that offers more than a little cost savings, VoIP will grow steadily. For those with international calling needs, VoIP is already the solution they’re looking for. For small businesses with lots of long distance calling, the savings are even more pronounced. What’s needed is more consumer education. With that, many will finally wean themselves from their dependence on that old analog-based land line telephone and launch into an era of cheap digital phone calls. That day is coming soon as the major phone companies are under increasing pressure to raise the price of local phone service in the face of a major shift to VoIP transmission. Critical mass will occur when price plus features create a force that overcomes consumer’s inertia.
Thanks to Scott White for contributing this article to our VoIP blog:
RNK Telecom is a privately held phone company offering wholesale and
residential telecommunications services including VOIP Services. They market ReVoS, an Internet telephony product which offers superior International Calling.
residential telecommunications services including VOIP Services. They market ReVoS, an Internet telephony product which offers superior International Calling.
VoIP Rfp How to Create and Issue a VoIP Telephony Service Request for Proposals
August 15, 2009 by VoIP and Internet Telephony Tips
Filed under About VoIP
more VoIP RFP dispatches are taking place as business are seeking to enter contracts for their telephony services to be converted to Voice Over Internet Protocol Systems.
Eweek provides a very useful template for all those setting out to write their own VoIP RFP.
Their template suggests the following content for a repsonse to an RFP to start with, which we have amended to comply with the needs for a typical RFP notification letter, as follows:-
1. VoIP RFP Introduction Page.
A. Company name.
B. Proposal authors.
C. Date, company address and URL as it should appear in print.
D.Primary contact with phone number and e-mail address.
2. VoIP RFP Equipment list with version/model numbers and design description.
A. An itemized list of existing major equipment (gateways, systems, cards/components, handsets) for each site which will require replacing with VoIP equivalents
B. An itemized VoIP RFP list of needed software for each site.
C. An itemized VoIP RFP list of needed services for each site.
D. A summary of VoIP RFP requirements for your solution and what specific features you need.
E. Address(es) for installation of the VoIP service
3. Price list of required products and services.
A. An itemized list of major equipment for each site.
B. An itemized list of software for each site.
C. An itemized list of services for each site.
4.Ongoing costs. Summarize the likely ongoing subscription and service costs needed to maintain the system over a period of three years for the VoIP RFP.
5.VoIP RFP Product literature and documentation. Include product literature that describes the features and benefits of your equipment, software and services. Also include technical documentation for major components.
All this and much detailed information can be found by searching for “Sample VOIP RFP” in your favorite search engine.
Plus and all the requirements listed below in the Eweek\’s Details section.
So, now you have prepared your VoIP RFP, who would you send it out to?
Well there are suggestions around and for large corporates for example. Organizers of the VoiceCon conference issued a request for proposals for a hypothetical VOIP installation and obtained bids from five vendors:
- Aastra Intecom,
- Alcatel,
- Avaya,
- Cisco and
- 3Com.
These are big players in VoIP and would be sound for inclusion for most organizations we consider.
The technologies offered by the vendors varied greatly, and so did their prices. Organizations across the globe have employed a wide variety of VoIP solutions, and the digital nature of the service allows many ways to improve customer service operations, delight callers, reduce expenses and create new revenue opportunities.
If you have not already considered setting out to install a VoIP Voice over Internet Protocol system within your business, we suggest that you do consider at least putting out a VoIP RFP. You will not thereafter be forced to award a VoIP contract, but you will certainly learn a lot about the technology and the savings it can provide your company.
VoIP is an emerging technology being implemented in industry generally. Traditionally, skills in data and voice have been separate, but the evolving information age increasingly requires people with skills in both to implement and administer converged systems for the VoIP RFP submission.
Voice over Internet protocol VoIP is fast becoming an extremely popular technology by small and large businesses alike. Procuring this technology can quickly become a substantial, resource-intensive project but when implemented this company development cost need never be spent again.
When issuing the RFP we suggest that it is good practise to include a statement that your company reserves the right, with sole discretion, to refuse to appoint a VoIP supplier.
The party issuing the VoIP RFP will also usually require that the successful tenderer and his representatives shall at all times follow all applicable Company regulations while on Company property, including all company rules and procedures, incuding observation of the no smoking, no weapons and drug-free policies of the Company.
Some organizations will issue a pre-RFP notice to notify vendors early on that an RFP is forthcoming, while others simply send their requests out to suitable service providers once they have created the RFP.
Thanks to Steve Evans for contributing this article to our VoIP blog:
Eweek provides a very useful template for all those setting out to write their own VoIP RFP.
Their template suggests the following content for a repsonse to an RFP to start with, which we have amended to comply with the needs for a typical RFP notification letter, as follows:-
1. VoIP RFP Introduction Page.
A. Company name.
B. Proposal authors.
C. Date, company address and URL as it should appear in print.
D.Primary contact with phone number and e-mail address.
2. VoIP RFP Equipment list with version/model numbers and design description.
A. An itemized list of existing major equipment (gateways, systems, cards/components, handsets) for each site which will require replacing with VoIP equivalents
B. An itemized VoIP RFP list of needed software for each site.
C. An itemized VoIP RFP list of needed services for each site.
D. A summary of VoIP RFP requirements for your solution and what specific features you need.
E. Address(es) for installation of the VoIP service
3. Price list of required products and services.
A. An itemized list of major equipment for each site.
B. An itemized list of software for each site.
C. An itemized list of services for each site.
4.Ongoing costs. Summarize the likely ongoing subscription and service costs needed to maintain the system over a period of three years for the VoIP RFP.
5.VoIP RFP Product literature and documentation. Include product literature that describes the features and benefits of your equipment, software and services. Also include technical documentation for major components.
All this and much detailed information can be found by searching for “Sample VOIP RFP” in your favorite search engine.
Plus and all the requirements listed below in the Eweek\’s Details section.
So, now you have prepared your VoIP RFP, who would you send it out to?
Well there are suggestions around and for large corporates for example. Organizers of the VoiceCon conference issued a request for proposals for a hypothetical VOIP installation and obtained bids from five vendors:
- Aastra Intecom,
- Alcatel,
- Avaya,
- Cisco and
- 3Com.
These are big players in VoIP and would be sound for inclusion for most organizations we consider.
The technologies offered by the vendors varied greatly, and so did their prices. Organizations across the globe have employed a wide variety of VoIP solutions, and the digital nature of the service allows many ways to improve customer service operations, delight callers, reduce expenses and create new revenue opportunities.
If you have not already considered setting out to install a VoIP Voice over Internet Protocol system within your business, we suggest that you do consider at least putting out a VoIP RFP. You will not thereafter be forced to award a VoIP contract, but you will certainly learn a lot about the technology and the savings it can provide your company.
VoIP is an emerging technology being implemented in industry generally. Traditionally, skills in data and voice have been separate, but the evolving information age increasingly requires people with skills in both to implement and administer converged systems for the VoIP RFP submission.
Voice over Internet protocol VoIP is fast becoming an extremely popular technology by small and large businesses alike. Procuring this technology can quickly become a substantial, resource-intensive project but when implemented this company development cost need never be spent again.
When issuing the RFP we suggest that it is good practise to include a statement that your company reserves the right, with sole discretion, to refuse to appoint a VoIP supplier.
The party issuing the VoIP RFP will also usually require that the successful tenderer and his representatives shall at all times follow all applicable Company regulations while on Company property, including all company rules and procedures, incuding observation of the no smoking, no weapons and drug-free policies of the Company.
Some organizations will issue a pre-RFP notice to notify vendors early on that an RFP is forthcoming, while others simply send their requests out to suitable service providers once they have created the RFP.
Thanks to Steve Evans for contributing this article to our VoIP blog:
Steve Evans is a techno wizard, who is also an early adopter of VoIP . Visit his web site for the best analyses of making a phone call on the internet, and make up a VoIP requirements list.
VOIP Telephone - How to Save Money with More Features
August 15, 2009 by VoIP and Internet Telephony Tips
Filed under About VoIP
VOIP telephone services and IP telephony are fast-becoming leaders in global communications processes. Many large companies are using VOIP telephone systems to lock down international customers and to open international product discussions without any extra long-distance cost. Many VOIP telephone personal users are finding the ability to get in touch with their family comes a lot easier over VOIP telephony and are starting to learn more about family that they had in distant lands. The world is increasingly becoming a more friendly place again because of VOIP telephony and its related technology, giving us the ability to branch out our arms of communication to the world and, possibly someday, beyond.
Having a VOIP phone may make you the most popular person in the office. Imagine having the capability to use your VOIP anywhere in the world and still get excellent rates, possibly even pay no money at all, for long distance phone calls. Incoming calls can be automatically moved to your VOIP phone, regardless of where you have decided to connect to the VOIP network. This gives the VOIP phone user a great deal of mobility and functionality, on the road or abroad. The VOIP telephone is certainly the thinking person’s communication device, enabling the entire world to draw closer as the user continues to move through it.
Business VOIP is one of the most popular services available from VOIP providers. Most providers offer free VOIP telephone numbers to use nearly everywhere in the world. These numbers are arranged through organizations that compile and connect people on VOIP networks. VOIP User is one of these organizations and it enables customers the ability to connect to any network and at time anywhere in the world for free. This mobility makes VOIP telephone systems the wave of the future for corporate users and for business VOIP plans.
There are also VOIP call center programs at work that enable people to connect to a call center for customer support twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, and so on. These call center agents can work from anywhere on any network, much like other VOIP users, and can connect and answer queries any time of the day from around the world. All that type of functionality requires is a relatively quick and stable internet or network connection. The VOIP call center programs are especially popular among new users with a lot of questions about VOIP technology.
Many VOIP systems or providers also provide a series of bundled extras for no extra charge. This PSTN features include great items like 3-way calling, call forwarding, call waiting, automatic redial, and the ever-popular caller ID. The services VOIP call centers provide are also bundled with these great features, making VOIP an even more popular choice among people looking for a great deal with great service features as well. It is a program that seems too good to be true to many people, but the technology is real and the programs work just as they say they will.
The future in terms of VOIP telephone systems is here. Without a doubt, VOIP telephone technology is on its way to taking over the communications work and establishing new trends within a matter of mere years. As systems change and evolve to offer even more capabilities to customers, the customer base of companies like Vonage VOIP will grow significantly and people will flock to VOIP providers to upgrade their existing telephone services to something better. VOIP will change the way we communicate once again.
Thanks to Sydney Johnson for contributing this article to our VoIP blog:
Having a VOIP phone may make you the most popular person in the office. Imagine having the capability to use your VOIP anywhere in the world and still get excellent rates, possibly even pay no money at all, for long distance phone calls. Incoming calls can be automatically moved to your VOIP phone, regardless of where you have decided to connect to the VOIP network. This gives the VOIP phone user a great deal of mobility and functionality, on the road or abroad. The VOIP telephone is certainly the thinking person’s communication device, enabling the entire world to draw closer as the user continues to move through it.
Business VOIP is one of the most popular services available from VOIP providers. Most providers offer free VOIP telephone numbers to use nearly everywhere in the world. These numbers are arranged through organizations that compile and connect people on VOIP networks. VOIP User is one of these organizations and it enables customers the ability to connect to any network and at time anywhere in the world for free. This mobility makes VOIP telephone systems the wave of the future for corporate users and for business VOIP plans.
There are also VOIP call center programs at work that enable people to connect to a call center for customer support twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, and so on. These call center agents can work from anywhere on any network, much like other VOIP users, and can connect and answer queries any time of the day from around the world. All that type of functionality requires is a relatively quick and stable internet or network connection. The VOIP call center programs are especially popular among new users with a lot of questions about VOIP technology.
Many VOIP systems or providers also provide a series of bundled extras for no extra charge. This PSTN features include great items like 3-way calling, call forwarding, call waiting, automatic redial, and the ever-popular caller ID. The services VOIP call centers provide are also bundled with these great features, making VOIP an even more popular choice among people looking for a great deal with great service features as well. It is a program that seems too good to be true to many people, but the technology is real and the programs work just as they say they will.
The future in terms of VOIP telephone systems is here. Without a doubt, VOIP telephone technology is on its way to taking over the communications work and establishing new trends within a matter of mere years. As systems change and evolve to offer even more capabilities to customers, the customer base of companies like Vonage VOIP will grow significantly and people will flock to VOIP providers to upgrade their existing telephone services to something better. VOIP will change the way we communicate once again.
Thanks to Sydney Johnson for contributing this article to our VoIP blog:
For more information on VOIP Telephone including Cell Phones and Other Telecommunication Topics visit our website.
Using A VoIP Phone System
August 14, 2009 by VoIP and Internet Telephony Tips
Filed under About VoIP
The VOIP phone system is one of the latest technological innovations that can be found in the workplace. The Internet undoubtedly revolutionized the way businesses work and individuals spend their free time. The Voice Over Internet Protocol allows you to make calls over the Internet rather than using traditional methods of telephoning other people. However, few people know about the ins and the outs of the technology and so the following article will give you a little insight into what it is, what it can do and how you use it! By the time you have finished reading, you will have more than enough basic knowledge to use a VOIP system effectively.
Equipment
In order to be able to use a VOIP system, you first need to obtain a computer. Without a computer it is extremely difficult to make VOIP calls. There are some mobile devices that allow VOIP functionality but they are less widely used and not as convenient. A computer will give you access to all of the free Internet-based calling services out there. If you have a computer, simply log on to the Internet and search for VOIP software. The majority of it can be downloaded for free, which makes up for the fact that you will have to purchase a VOIP compatible headset. The headset will incorporate the microphone and the earpiece so you can then begin to chat as and when you are ready to begin.
How Does VOIP Work?
When you call an individual over a VOIP phone system, you are literally calling him or her over the Internet. The technology behind the call itself is very similar to that used to transport your voice over a phone line, with the main difference being that it is carried through your broadband connection instead! If you still happen to be on a dial-up connection then it is doubtful that VOIP will work for you.
As there are various different VOIP services available, the operation of the phone system itself for each one may be unique. There are certainly marked differences between them, although they all benefit from the same functionality. In order to make sure that your computer is compatible and you can actually use the system you choose effectively, you should always read the user guide that comes with it. That way, if you do have any questions in advance, you can find out the answers before you start.
Calling
Calling on a VOIP system can be much cheaper than using a traditional landline and, in some cases, may even be free. Other individuals that have the same VOIP system as you, Skype for example, can make calls to you and receive them from you for free. However, if you are calling a user on another VOIP system or a traditional landline phone then you will be charged for the call itself. However, you should check out your calling options in advance. Some services offer different tariffs, much like a mobile phone company. You can choose to pay a monthly fee or opt to pay for the calls that you make, as you make them. Some services also add an extra charge if you want to receive calls from landlines.
It may come as a surprise to find out that VOIP may cost you, and that may initially put you off, but it works out a lot cheaper than using a landline or a mobile phone. In fact, it can be less than half of the cost, depending on how you use your service! However, some services are more expensive than others so be sure to check the tariffs in advance.
Issues
Quality may be an issue with existing VOIP services because the actual phone system does not have to adhere to any minimum standards. This is because he technology is so new that none have been set as yet. This could mean that the quality of certain calls would be poor, but you have nobody to officially complain to so be prepared!
As previously mentioned, the quality is also poor on dial-up connections so it may not be well suited to the equipment you have. This also applies to the operating system of your computer. Some VOIP systems cannot be used on older systems because they are not technologically advanced enough to be able to handle it.
Finally, if you have a limit on the amount of data you can download per month then VOIP may cause you a few problems. VOIP uses data to transport your voice and the person you are calling’s voice. As a result, it counts towards that limit and may actually use it up much more quickly than the applications you already use and surfing habits that you already have do. It is not hard to use 50MB+ up in an hour of chat! Be aware of this before you begin to make VOIP calls because you may want to rethink your package.
VOIP phone systems are most definitely the way to go in terms of the future of communication. They are convenient to use, as well as fairly cheap. However, you should always explore your options and read the documentation and user guide before beginning because this could save you a lot of hassle in the future!
Thanks to DOLA RAHEEM for contributing this article to our VoIP blog:
Equipment
In order to be able to use a VOIP system, you first need to obtain a computer. Without a computer it is extremely difficult to make VOIP calls. There are some mobile devices that allow VOIP functionality but they are less widely used and not as convenient. A computer will give you access to all of the free Internet-based calling services out there. If you have a computer, simply log on to the Internet and search for VOIP software. The majority of it can be downloaded for free, which makes up for the fact that you will have to purchase a VOIP compatible headset. The headset will incorporate the microphone and the earpiece so you can then begin to chat as and when you are ready to begin.
How Does VOIP Work?
When you call an individual over a VOIP phone system, you are literally calling him or her over the Internet. The technology behind the call itself is very similar to that used to transport your voice over a phone line, with the main difference being that it is carried through your broadband connection instead! If you still happen to be on a dial-up connection then it is doubtful that VOIP will work for you.
As there are various different VOIP services available, the operation of the phone system itself for each one may be unique. There are certainly marked differences between them, although they all benefit from the same functionality. In order to make sure that your computer is compatible and you can actually use the system you choose effectively, you should always read the user guide that comes with it. That way, if you do have any questions in advance, you can find out the answers before you start.
Calling
Calling on a VOIP system can be much cheaper than using a traditional landline and, in some cases, may even be free. Other individuals that have the same VOIP system as you, Skype for example, can make calls to you and receive them from you for free. However, if you are calling a user on another VOIP system or a traditional landline phone then you will be charged for the call itself. However, you should check out your calling options in advance. Some services offer different tariffs, much like a mobile phone company. You can choose to pay a monthly fee or opt to pay for the calls that you make, as you make them. Some services also add an extra charge if you want to receive calls from landlines.
It may come as a surprise to find out that VOIP may cost you, and that may initially put you off, but it works out a lot cheaper than using a landline or a mobile phone. In fact, it can be less than half of the cost, depending on how you use your service! However, some services are more expensive than others so be sure to check the tariffs in advance.
Issues
Quality may be an issue with existing VOIP services because the actual phone system does not have to adhere to any minimum standards. This is because he technology is so new that none have been set as yet. This could mean that the quality of certain calls would be poor, but you have nobody to officially complain to so be prepared!
As previously mentioned, the quality is also poor on dial-up connections so it may not be well suited to the equipment you have. This also applies to the operating system of your computer. Some VOIP systems cannot be used on older systems because they are not technologically advanced enough to be able to handle it.
Finally, if you have a limit on the amount of data you can download per month then VOIP may cause you a few problems. VOIP uses data to transport your voice and the person you are calling’s voice. As a result, it counts towards that limit and may actually use it up much more quickly than the applications you already use and surfing habits that you already have do. It is not hard to use 50MB+ up in an hour of chat! Be aware of this before you begin to make VOIP calls because you may want to rethink your package.
VOIP phone systems are most definitely the way to go in terms of the future of communication. They are convenient to use, as well as fairly cheap. However, you should always explore your options and read the documentation and user guide before beginning because this could save you a lot of hassle in the future!
Thanks to DOLA RAHEEM for contributing this article to our VoIP blog:
Dola Raheem is the author of several articles on Communication, Technology, and on Voip Provider Check out his website at http://www.takevoip.com/choosing-a-voip-provider
Define your Needs When Shopping for VOIP Services
August 14, 2009 by VoIP and Internet Telephony Tips
Filed under About VoIP
After all the research you have finally gotten around to doing on the topic of VOIP and VOIP services, you are just about ready to take the plunge. Making the decision to go with VOIP, however, is only half the battle. There are a truckload of VOIP providers out there, each one telling you that their service is the best one since sliced bread, so how do you make an intelligent and informed decision about which one to go with?
The first thing you need to realize is that not all VOIP services are created equally. One of the limiting factors is your high-speed Internet connection, since that will be used for your home VOIP to make and receive calls. VOIP will work reliably with DSL or cable (or better), but is not recommended if all you have is a satellite high-speed Internet connection, and VOIP is not recommended if you have access only to a wireless connection.
The vast majority of problems with VOIP from virtually any VOIP provider comes down to a lack of a reliable high-speed Internet connection. Your Internet provider may CLAIM you are getting reliable service and a fast connection, but if you are having trouble getting something as simple as VOIP to work on it, then they are blowing smoke at you and it may be time to look for another Internet provider. In terms of the Internet connection part of VOIP, that is just about as simple as things will ever get, and your Internet provider should be able to handle it. If they cannot, they may have purposely blocked it because they want to sell you VOIP services themselves … at twice the price!
Now you need to determine what VOIP features you need. Almost all the VOIP providers and VOIP plans provider caller ID, voicemail, and call waiting, so let’s see what else needs to be considered, and this is where things start to differ and get quite interesting.
Almost all of them offer unlimited long distance calling in the continental US. But do you call Canada a lot, or make frequent calls to Puerto Rico? If so, there are VOIP providers who include Canada and Puerto Rico in their unlimited calling plans.
Do you have friends, perhaps your parents or a sibling that you talk to a lot but they do not have VOIP? Is it the case where they call you frequently? You may wish to consider a plan that includes a virtual number or where you can get a virtual number cheaply. A virtual number is a phone number in that city. Say you live in Detroit so you of course have a Detroit phone number on your VOIP phone. Say you talk to your sister a lot in Houston who does not have a VOIP phone. You can get a Houston phone number in addition to your Detroit phone number, so now your sister can make a LOCAL call to your Houston number, and when she does, your VOIP phone at your home in Detroit will ring so it doesn’t cost her anything! Is that cool or what?
Determine your needs and then start comparing VOIP features to see which VOIP provider offers the most bang for the bucks, based on what you need. Don’t pay extra for VOIP services that you will only use once in a blue moon.
Thanks to Jon Arnold for contributing this article to our VoIP blog:
The first thing you need to realize is that not all VOIP services are created equally. One of the limiting factors is your high-speed Internet connection, since that will be used for your home VOIP to make and receive calls. VOIP will work reliably with DSL or cable (or better), but is not recommended if all you have is a satellite high-speed Internet connection, and VOIP is not recommended if you have access only to a wireless connection.
The vast majority of problems with VOIP from virtually any VOIP provider comes down to a lack of a reliable high-speed Internet connection. Your Internet provider may CLAIM you are getting reliable service and a fast connection, but if you are having trouble getting something as simple as VOIP to work on it, then they are blowing smoke at you and it may be time to look for another Internet provider. In terms of the Internet connection part of VOIP, that is just about as simple as things will ever get, and your Internet provider should be able to handle it. If they cannot, they may have purposely blocked it because they want to sell you VOIP services themselves … at twice the price!
Now you need to determine what VOIP features you need. Almost all the VOIP providers and VOIP plans provider caller ID, voicemail, and call waiting, so let’s see what else needs to be considered, and this is where things start to differ and get quite interesting.
Almost all of them offer unlimited long distance calling in the continental US. But do you call Canada a lot, or make frequent calls to Puerto Rico? If so, there are VOIP providers who include Canada and Puerto Rico in their unlimited calling plans.
Do you have friends, perhaps your parents or a sibling that you talk to a lot but they do not have VOIP? Is it the case where they call you frequently? You may wish to consider a plan that includes a virtual number or where you can get a virtual number cheaply. A virtual number is a phone number in that city. Say you live in Detroit so you of course have a Detroit phone number on your VOIP phone. Say you talk to your sister a lot in Houston who does not have a VOIP phone. You can get a Houston phone number in addition to your Detroit phone number, so now your sister can make a LOCAL call to your Houston number, and when she does, your VOIP phone at your home in Detroit will ring so it doesn’t cost her anything! Is that cool or what?
Determine your needs and then start comparing VOIP features to see which VOIP provider offers the most bang for the bucks, based on what you need. Don’t pay extra for VOIP services that you will only use once in a blue moon.
Thanks to Jon Arnold for contributing this article to our VoIP blog:
Jon is a computer engineer with extensive experience in telecom and VOIP Services. Get more information about VOIP, what to watch for and what to watch OUT for at his web site, http://www.voipinsideinfo.com
