VoIP, or Voice Over Internet Protocol, is an enigma for many. There are many flavors of VoIP and many pros and cons that you need to be aware of when considering which service to choose. One goal of this article is to help you decipher through the technospeak so that you can make an informed decision that will save you time and money.

The first thing you need to know about VoIP Service is that it can replace your local phone company. Whether you have just one POTS (plain old telephone service) line or a voice T1 (24 bundled dedicated lines), a VoIP solution is meant to replace your phone company. Instead of using your local phone company’s voice connection, VoIP will digitize your voice signal and send it over an internet connection.

In order for your voice to transmit digitally through the internet, you need to be sure you have enough bandwidth to facilitate the communication link. A minimum of a DSL line is required, but most larger companies will want a T1 line – a dedicated link directly to the internet that is guaranteed to be up over 99.999% of the time. Since you will be entrusting all of your business voice communication to this new technology, your connection to the internet becomes the critical link and you don’t want to risk a company-wide phone outage to save a few hundred dollars on your bandwidth connection. To help with this DS3-Bandwidth.com has developed software that will allow you to generate a T1 or DS3 price in just seconds.

Once you have your high-speed internet connection taken care of, it’s time to select a VoIP Service Provider – the company that will actually route your digitized voice signal to a real telephone on the other end. In essence, your VoIP Carrier will become your long distance carrier. The service providers Business-VoIP-Solution.com work with offer unlimited telephone calls to the United States and Canada, all for one fixed price. That’s a good place to start your search. For companies who average more than $40 in local and long distance usage per employee, VoIP is well worth the initial investment.

There are likewise other hidden benefits of VoIP Service, the main benefit being the reduced bandwidth required to conduct a regular telephone conversation. Since a VoIP transmission only requires 32KB of bandwidth, you can fix up to 24 ‘VoIP lines’ on a data T1, and still have 768KB left over for dedicated high-speed internet access! This means that you can migrate your entire phone system on to your existing T1 and still have half of the bandwidth allocated for data.

Other benefit of VoIP lies in the prioritization of the digitized voice signals that are generated when you speak. In the event no one is talking, the VoIP line does not transmit any data. This allows your T1 line to dynamically allocate bandwidth as it is needed, instead of permanently blocking out an entire channel of data.

Lastly, the MAJOR benefit of VoIP telephone systems is that they come with a very rich feature set. Some common features include: Unlimited Minutes,,Local Number Porting (LNP), Personalized Voicemail, Unlimited In-Network Calling, Caller ID, Caller ID Blocking, Call Waiting, Call Waiting ID, Call Forwarding, 3-way Conferencing, Call Return *69 activates, Online Management & Billing, Choose Your Own Area Code, *70 Call Waiting Disable, *78/*79 Do Not Disturb, *77/*87 Anonymous Call Blocking, Distinctive Ringing for Virtual Numbers, Virtual Phone Numbers all over the world, Enhanced 911, and Toll Free Services. You just can’t get all that service with regular phone service without paying extra fees and surcharges. These features are standard with most business VoIP plans!
About the Author

Michael is the owner of FreedomFire
Communications….including DS3-Bandwidth.com and Business-VoIP-Solution.com. Michael also authors Broadband Nation with the latest BroadBand news, tips, insights, and ramblings for the masses.

So you’ve heard that you can use your computer to make cheap long-distance calls over the Internet. Maybe you’ve even tried it. Chances are though that if you’ve attempted VoIP calls over a dial-up connection, you’ve experienced intermittent quality, ‘call drop-outs’ and annoying speech transmission delays. The good news is that there are some quick, easy steps that you can take to dramatically improve the quality of your VoIP calls over dial-up connections.

There’s a lot of hype these days surrounding Internet-based voice communications (VoIP) replacing traditional telephone service. Most of this revolves around companies such as Vonage who coin themselves as the ‘Broadband Phone Company’. So what about those of us who don’t have a broadband connection? Just because you don’t have high speed Internet, doesn’t mean that you can’t save a fortune by using VoIP for your long-distance calls. Whilst a broadband connection will usually result in more consistent VoIP call quality, comparable results can be achieved using a dial-up connection provided some simple guidelines are followed.

Shop Around

Not all VoIP service providers support dial-up users. Companies such as Vonage bill themselves as alternatives to traditional telephone service and shy away from the dial-up community (who are tied to those ‘traditional’ networks to access the Internet). Furthermore, some service providers only support dial-up above a certain speed (e.g., 56Kbp). Two companies whose VoIP softphone applications work well over low speed connections include Callserve and Go2Call.

‘Free-up’ your System Resources

In order to ensure the highest call quality, close programs that are running in the ‘background’. For Windows users, these applications can be seen in the taskbar at the bottom right of your screen. ‘Right-click’ the icons and close those programs that aren’t critical to system security (e.g., don’t close anti-virus software, firewall applications and the like).

If you’re using Windows XP with user switching enabled, log off all users except the one that will be used to make the call. This will prevent the other user identities from running software and/or using your bandwidth while you’re making calls.

‘Free Up’ your Internet Connection

Given the limited data capacity of dial-up connections, it’s important that you devote as much of your bandwidth as possible to the VoIP softphone application. To achieve maximum call quality, don’t do anything that uses your bandwidth whilst making calls. This includes instant messaging, checking email, using a webcam, browsing the internet, downloading, etc. In Windows, you can look at the two little computers in the bottom right of your taskbar to see whether your connection is being used prior to calling (the little computers illuminate when data is being uploaded and/or downloaded).

Scan your System for Viruses, Spyware, Adware and Malware

Some of these malicious programs can hijack your browser, tie up your internet connection and slow down your system (not to mention seriously invade your privacy!). I recommend AdAware for free scanning and removal of Spyware/Adware. Once you’ve checked and cleansed your system of these nasty programs, your virus definition files should be updated to minimize the chances of re-infection.

Use a Headset with an Integrated Boom Microphone

Last but not least, using a headset with a boom microphone should eliminate those annoying voice echoes often associated with PC to phone calls. Echoes are caused by your microphone detecting the voice coming from your computer speakers and re-transmitting that voice signal back to the person you’re talking to. By using a headset, the voice signals are limited in volume (due to the headset being directly adjacent to your ears) and thus the chances of your microphone ‘re-transmitting’ those voice signals is greatly reduced.

So there you have it. A lack of high speed Internet needn’t mean a lack of PC to phone VoIP capability.

About the Author

Nathan is the owner of http://www.netphonedirectory.com which deals specifically with PC to Phone and PC to PC VoIP. The site includes a comprehensive directory of PC to Phone service providers as well as general information on VoIP and what you need to make inexpensive long-distance telephone calls using your computer

VoIP is a great new technology that is bound to replace
traditional phone services. Unlike traditional telephone
service, VoIP phone services route phone calls over the
Internet. Using a public network like the Internet significantly
reduces the cost of phone service.

Anybody with a high-speed Internet connection is eligible for
VoIP phone service. The first step in utilizing VoIP phone
service is selecting a VoIP service provider. This can be a
daunting task because the VoIP field has become crowded. Unlike
traditional phone services, VoIP is made up of many smaller
companies rather than a handful of large companies. Once this
step is out of the way, everything else is easy.

Once you choose a VoIP service provider, you will receive a VoIP
gateway or analog telephone adapter in the mail. Once you have
this device, all you need to do is plug it into your existing
network. The next step to take is plugging a phone into the
adapter. After the phone is plugged in, you can simply pick it
up and begin making phone calls like you always have. The whole
process usually takes between 5 and 10 minutes.

If you are looking to lower your costs, you should definitely
consider going with a VoIP phone. Along with saving money, you
will also gain many features that typical phone companies do not
include in their packages. These features include call waiting,
call forwarding, call rejection, virtual numbers, voicemail, and
call handling profiles. All of these features are typically
included in VoIP plans. Generally, VoIP service with all the
features mentioned above will cost as little as $24.95 per
month.

About the author:


Article written by H Conklin of href="http://www.voip-resource.com">www.voip-resource.com.
Your source for finding href="http://www.voip-resource.com/basics/voip-providers.html">Vo
IP service providers, news, and articles about VoIP
services.

With the increased adoption of high-speed Internet across the U.S. and abroad, it has become much easier to send and receive large amounts of data without affecting bandwidth. What this means for consumers is that they can now download huge files quickly, browse multiple web pages simultaneously, and even make telephone calls over the Internet; an emerging technology known as VoIP.

VoIP stands for “Voice over Internet Protocol ” and it is quite simply a way of using the Internet to make and receive telephone calls. The primary reason VoIP is becoming so popular is cost and convenience; as VoIP is significantly less expensive than typical local and long distance telephone service offered by the phone companies. Additionally, one high-speed Internet connection can serve for multiple VoIP telephone lines.

How does VoIP Work?

A normal telephone line would sit there and do nothing if it weren’t connected to a network called the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network). This is how the traditional phone companies route telephone calls from one person to another. In VOIP service, the PSTN is replaced by the Internet as the network for routing phone calls, and is proven to be faster, more efficient and cost effective.

Using VoIP, a person’s voice is transmitted into digital data that is then sliced into small fragments called packets that are sent across the Internet at lightning speed. These packets are then reconstructed and heard on the receiving phone. Sounds like allot going on during a phone conversation, but most people who use VoIP phones don’t even know they are making telephone calls over the Internet; the call quality is that good.

In order for VoIP phone calls to have the same quality that consumers are accustomed to when using traditional phone service, a certain bandwidth (the amount of data that can be sent) is required. Broadband Internet access, either cable or DSL, provides the necessary bandwidth for VoIP phone service to be found acceptable by consumers.

The Features of VoIP

In addition to making high-speed Internet access more cost-effective, VOIP service provides subscribers with significantly cheaper local and long distance telephone service. Most VoIP providers charge between $20 – $25 per month and this includes unlimited calling to the U.S. and Canada.

Additionally, all the features that traditional phone companies usually charge for like voicemail, caller id, call waiting; three-way calling, simultaneous ring and the ability to choose your own area code are included in the price.

Another driver for using VoIP is that it is portable. In other words, consumers can take their phone number anywhere they move to; even if it is just on vacation.

About The Author:
Click here for more in-depth information about VoIP http://www.packet8.net products and services. Michael Brito is a freelance writer/marketer for VoIP product and services.

VoIP phone service providers offer many advantages to the residential and small office/home office user. If you have a high speed internet connection then choosing a VoIP phone service might be right for you.

But before you run out & buy the 1st thing you see….arm yourself with a little education 1st. The benefits must make sense to you or you are just following the crowd.

Lower Monthly Fees

The price of a VoIP phone line is a fraction of the cost of a traditional telephone line, the long distance calls are much less expensive if they are made via a VoIP provider, and applicable taxes are far lower with VoIP phone service than with a traditional phone service. Some VoIP phone service providers offer a phone line for around $9 U.S. dollars per month and will charge you for calls you make at the rate of 1-3 cents per minute depending on the provider. Most VoIP phone providers offer a bundled service offering unlimited incoming calls and unlimited long distance calls to anyone in the U.S. or Canada for one small fee. VoIP unlimited calling plans currently start at $19.95 per month. As with the traditional long distance market trend…expect even this low cost to drop over time as technology and competition matures.

Lower Taxes

So far to date governments have taken a hands off approach when it comes to VoIP phone service providers. Since the calls are being carried over the Internet, governments have not heavily taxed VoIP phone services. Right now the only tax you can expect to see on your VoIP phone service provider’s bill is a Federal Excise Tax, which is only 3% of the cost of the service. For example, if you were to choose a $19.95 unlimited calling plan, the Federal Excise tax would be 3% of $19.95, or 60 cents. Your total bill would be $20.55. Compare that to your local telephone bill (go ahead and take a close look) and you will see you are spending quite a bit on taxes each month. Therefore, choosing a VoIP provider could add up to significant savings for you and your family.

Included Features

Most VoIP phone service providers offer features that are included, while most traditional phone companies charge an extra $20 to $30 per month for these. Most VoIP phone providers include the following features in their low monthly fee: Free voicemail, call forwarding, caller ID, call waiting, call waiting ID, 3 way calling, speed dialing and much more.

Flexibility

When you choose a VoIP phone service provider, you will be sent a converter to allow a regular phone to use the VoIP phone service. Your phone number is programmed into the converter. This means that you can take your phone converter and phone number and use them wherever you travel in the world, just as long as you have access to a high-speed Internet connection. Because your telephone number is based in your converter (and not your home/office), you have the option of choosing any area code for your phone number. Some carriers will allow you to have more than 1 phone number in different area codes for a small additional fee (called a virtual phone number). For example, you can have one number in your local area code and another phone number with an area code from another city. By having a virtual phone number in another city where you have a lot of friends and family, you will be saving them money because they can call you on a local number instead of paying for long distance charges to contact you. Both phone numbers will ring your VoIP phone wherever you have your converter and regular phone hooked up to a high speed internet connection.

Draw Backs

Connectivity issues with 911 service is still a concern with some providers. Although much progress is being made rapidly in this area across the board……it’s best to find a provider already enabling E911 service.

Despite what urban legends you may “hear” about using a VoIP phone with dial-up internet access….this is still a myth. If you want a quality credible VoIP experience you will need to have high speed internet access (DSL, cable, or satellite).

Your VoIP phone is portable & can be taken with you anywhere in the world. However, it’s not quite as unassuming & convenient as many of the newer small cell phones. But then…..cell phone calls home from Europe would be a lot more expensive too.

Hopefully the above info gives you a little knowledge to go on if you are considering a VoIP phone. Just remember to shop & compare and you’ll do fine.

About the Author

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 the latest BroadBand news, tips, and ramblings for the masses.

VOIP or voice over Internet Protocol is the ability to transmit
voice over the Internet to either a receiving computer,
telephone or even a mobile phone. VOIP offers an inexpensive
alternative to traditional telephones and keeps you away from
huge bills. VOIP helps you save money, especially for long
distance calls. It also enables you to talk to several people
simultaneously. It offers different services with developing
technologies. href="http://www.xpert4u.co.uk/broadband/voice-over-IP-providers.
html">VoIP enables you to send any type of data at higher
speeds of Internet.It is increasingly becoming a great choice
for residential and business customers.Many providers offer
unlimited plans, that will give the subscriber unlimited long
distance, free calling with VOIP. VOIP promises cost savings
over traditional phone lines and thus allows you to save on your
monthly phone expenses.

VOIP is one of the coolest advancements you’ve ever been
blessed to experience. VoIP allows you to make phone calls over
the internet, using your computer, to pretty much anywhere on
the planet. the technology with VoIP has yet to progress to the
point where you will consistently experience crystal clear sound
over slower internet connections.If you currently live in an
area that hasn’t been wired for href="http://www.xpert4u.co.uk/broadband/broadband.html">broadban
d, you shouldn’t have to wait too long for the technology to
progress to where you can enjoy a quality conversation over a
slow internet connection. However, the quality can suffer
without a high speed internet connection. VoIP services cost
less than residential phone service and much, much less than
most monthly cell phone plans.If your broadband internet company
just happens to be one of companies that currently offers VoIP
services, then its better because it would cost you higher if
used an independent or outside company for your VoIP phone
service. If your internet connection goes down you wouldn’t be
able to make or receive phone calls.Due to lack of signal
strength,your calls can also get dropped.Although it has some
drawbacks, but once you use it, you’ll not want to loose it,
especially with your bills getting lower each month.

With many people discovering the benefits of VOIP by switching
from using their land line telephones to VoIP service, VoIP
phone service providers are increasing in popularity. People are
now aware that VoIP phone services costs significantly less than
standard phone service.In today’s advanced technology world,
VOIP is expected to have a great future ahead.

About the author:


nidhi

xpert4u.co.uk

UK mobile phone
directory ]]> http://www.voiparticle.com/need-for-voip/feed/ 0 http://www.voiparticle.com/voip-voice-over-ip-and-business-is-it-for-you/ http://www.voiparticle.com/voip-voice-over-ip-and-business-is-it-for-you/#comments Fri, 31 Oct 2008 10:12:26 +0000 The Editor http://www.voiparticle.com/voip-voice-over-ip-and-business-is-it-for-you/
VoIP allows users to make phone calls using their high-speed Internet connection. This
translates into free, or very low cost long-distance calling. Because VoIP uses the power of
the Internet, traditional ...]]> Andrew Kelly