VOIP Internet Phone Center
Internet Phone VOIP Reviews, News, Articles & More!
Things to Consider When Selecting a VoIP Phone Provider
Article By: FreedomFire Communications
The following are very important factors to consider when you are selecting a VoIP/Broadband phone provider. Educate yourself and be informed before you choose.
Monthly costs: A VoIP provider can save you up to 75% or more on your telephone/long distance expenses. There are many VoIP providers out there so it will benefit you from shopping around. Unlimited flat rate calling packages can range from $19.95/month to as high as $54.95/month (per line). Usually the lower priced providers have more customers and are able to offer the service at a lower price due to a lower overhead per subscriber.
VoIP Product Features: Not all VoIP providers are created equal. VoIP offers a great value to the consumers because of the drastically reduced long distance costs as well as inexpensive local phone service with lots of enhanced features. Some providers offer more features than others. Features like Call Waiting, 3 Way Calling, etc. are usually included in the VoIP monthly cost where as the traditional phone companies will charge up to and above $5/month per feature. When shopping for a VoIP provider, be sure to compare VoIP providers by features as well as by monthly price.
Keeping Your Number: Some providers allow you to transfer (port) your current phone number to the VoIP service and some providers do not. It is not recommended to switch your home number to the VoIP service immediately. It is recommended that you try out the service and see if you are satisfied before you request that your current number be switched. Keep in mind that if you have DSL service, you must retain a phone number with the service provider of the DSL because the DSL service is provided over that telephone line. If you want to get rid of your current phone company all together, then we suggest you use a Cable Internet Service Provider.
911 Service: Most of the VoIP carriers offer E911 service, but not all. Be sure to check if the VoIP provider offers E911 because it is not a given. If the VoIP provider does not offer E911, then we suggest that you either have a cell phone or traditional landline to use in case of an emergency. (Note: It is also important to point out that if you take your VoIP phone when traveling, E911 has no way of knowing where you are when you call 911 if you are away from the registered address.)
International Calling: If you make a lot of international calls, you will want to do a lot of research on International Rates as they vary by provider. There are a few carriers that offer unlimited calling to certain countries.
Money Back Guarantee: Since VoIP is a relatively new product; most all VoIP providers will offer a free money back guarantee. Be sure to check with each provider as we have seen the money back guarantees range from a 14-day to a 30-day money back guarantee. (Note: Be sure to keep the original packaging that your equipment came in just in case you need to send it back)
This is only a short list. In fact, there are many things to consider when choosing a VoIP provider. An educated consumer generally results in a satisfied consumer. Hopefully, the above list is somewhat helpful......and at least gives you a foundation to start your search from.
Monthly costs: A VoIP provider can save you up to 75% or more on your telephone/long distance expenses. There are many VoIP providers out there so it will benefit you from shopping around. Unlimited flat rate calling packages can range from $19.95/month to as high as $54.95/month (per line). Usually the lower priced providers have more customers and are able to offer the service at a lower price due to a lower overhead per subscriber.
VoIP Product Features: Not all VoIP providers are created equal. VoIP offers a great value to the consumers because of the drastically reduced long distance costs as well as inexpensive local phone service with lots of enhanced features. Some providers offer more features than others. Features like Call Waiting, 3 Way Calling, etc. are usually included in the VoIP monthly cost where as the traditional phone companies will charge up to and above $5/month per feature. When shopping for a VoIP provider, be sure to compare VoIP providers by features as well as by monthly price.
Keeping Your Number: Some providers allow you to transfer (port) your current phone number to the VoIP service and some providers do not. It is not recommended to switch your home number to the VoIP service immediately. It is recommended that you try out the service and see if you are satisfied before you request that your current number be switched. Keep in mind that if you have DSL service, you must retain a phone number with the service provider of the DSL because the DSL service is provided over that telephone line. If you want to get rid of your current phone company all together, then we suggest you use a Cable Internet Service Provider.
911 Service: Most of the VoIP carriers offer E911 service, but not all. Be sure to check if the VoIP provider offers E911 because it is not a given. If the VoIP provider does not offer E911, then we suggest that you either have a cell phone or traditional landline to use in case of an emergency. (Note: It is also important to point out that if you take your VoIP phone when traveling, E911 has no way of knowing where you are when you call 911 if you are away from the registered address.)
International Calling: If you make a lot of international calls, you will want to do a lot of research on International Rates as they vary by provider. There are a few carriers that offer unlimited calling to certain countries.
Money Back Guarantee: Since VoIP is a relatively new product; most all VoIP providers will offer a free money back guarantee. Be sure to check with each provider as we have seen the money back guarantees range from a 14-day to a 30-day money back guarantee. (Note: Be sure to keep the original packaging that your equipment came in just in case you need to send it back)
This is only a short list. In fact, there are many things to consider when choosing a VoIP provider. An educated consumer generally results in a satisfied consumer. Hopefully, the above list is somewhat helpful......and at least gives you a foundation to start your search from.
Michael is the owner of FreedomFire Communications http://ld.net/mscprez and http://DS3-Bandwidth.com .......delivering choices to both residential and business consumers for voice and data broadband services. Michael also authors BroadBand Nation http://BroadBand-Nation.blogspot.com where you're always welcome to to drop in and catch up on his latest BroadBand news, tips, and ramblings for the masses.
Related Selecting A VoIP Provider Resources
The Calling Card Alternative
For a few years now, the calling cards business is booming. Everywhere you go, everywhere you search you might find one: in WallMarts, grocery stores, newspaper stands, vending machines in coffee shops....
The Single Most Important Thing to Know About Computer Phones (VoIP)
Over 90% of computer phones (VoIP) are not secure because they use a public known codex (publicly known encryption of sound packets) and a publicly known protocol to transport voice conversations. Therefore,...
VoIP: Finally Worth a Look
Dear Internet Friends, Hundreds of thousands of consumers collectively save millions of dollars each month by replacing (or supplementing) their traditional telephone service with personal voice over...
Is VoIP Good For The Home?
There is no doubt that you have heard about VoIP by now. Its made headlines and is plastered everywhere both in online and TV advertisements. Just in case you havent caught on to the hype yet, VoIP is...
Telecom Industry Transition: WiFi, VoIP, WiMax - The Wireless Age is Already Here
VoIP on WiMax will make the latest 3G technologies obsolete before they are completely installed. The reason is because 3G cell phone technology is capable of 2Mbs while WiFi is at 11Mbs in bursts and...
More Resources...
Comcast Reaches 2 Millionth Digital Voice(R) Customer Milestone In Michigan (RedNova)
SOUTHFIELD, Mich., March 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Comcast, the nation's leading provider of entertainment and communications products and services today announced it has surpassed the two million-customer milestone for Comcast Digital Voice(R), the company's innovative home phone service.
SOUTHFIELD, Mich., March 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Comcast, the nation's leading provider of entertainment and communications products and services today announced it has surpassed the two million-customer milestone for Comcast Digital Voice(R), the company's innovative home phone service.
Siemens Improves Communications, Safety And Security For University Community Through Strong Customer Support And ... (Business Wire Via Yahoo! Finance)
BOCA RATON, Fla.----Siemens Communications, Inc. today announced that Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio, has chosen Siemens to upgrade its campus-wide phone system. The new end-to-end IP phone solution streamlines business processes, saves money and improves communication, safety and security on the 2,400-student campus.
BOCA RATON, Fla.----Siemens Communications, Inc. today announced that Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio, has chosen Siemens to upgrade its campus-wide phone system. The new end-to-end IP phone solution streamlines business processes, saves money and improves communication, safety and security on the 2,400-student campus.
Web Services On Steroids (E-Commerce Times)
Consider an organization-wide Web services delivery strategy. Today, businesses demand three key outcomes from IT: delivering faster technology solutions to a growing group of stakeholders; reduction of IT costs in the absolute, or relative to capability delivered; and maintenance of technological currency and proficiency even as the pace of change is accelerating.
Consider an organization-wide Web services delivery strategy. Today, businesses demand three key outcomes from IT: delivering faster technology solutions to a growing group of stakeholders; reduction of IT costs in the absolute, or relative to capability delivered; and maintenance of technological currency and proficiency even as the pace of change is accelerating.
SPIRIT Receives 2007 Seal Of Excellence Award (Business Wire Via Yahoo! Finance)
HANOVER, Germany----SPIRIT DSP, the world's leading provider of embedded voice, video and audio software products, has received the "Seal of Excellence" award for significant achievements in providing its embedded software to the global market.
HANOVER, Germany----SPIRIT DSP, the world's leading provider of embedded voice, video and audio software products, has received the "Seal of Excellence" award for significant achievements in providing its embedded software to the global market.
