Communicating with friends, loved ones, business clients and anyone who will pick up the phone and listen to you shouldn’t be difficult or expensive. How many times have you opened your phone bill and seen charges that you have no idea where they came from or what they mean? After my telephone company debited my checking account twice, took 4 months to repay me, “accidentally” interrupted my DSL connection, as well as added a service without my consent, I was seriously looking for alternative ways to avoid dealing with a faded telephone company and service.
Some of my friends have started using their cell phone service as their regular telephone service, but I didn’t feel like maneuvering the ins and outs of roll-over minutes, peak hours and charging the battery. So, when I heard of a way to avoid the tight grip of archaic phone companies, I investigated further. A cheaper way to place phone calls can be accomplished through VoIP technology.
How Does a VoIP Phone Service Work?
VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol, which involves the transfer of data across the Internet. VoIP systems take analog signals (such as the voice) and turn them into digital data that travels throughout the World Wide Web. When switching to this digital land of communication, a wealth of possibilities can be explored. Some of the many actions made possible through VoIP systems include the transfer of voicemails as email attachments, which makes message retrieval possible from any computer.
What You Need For VoIP Service
An Internet connection that can reach speeds of up to 90 Kbps (kilobytes per second) is needed to switch to VoIP service. For those of you who are wondering, there are 8 kilobits in 1 kilobyte. Since dial-up is unable to reach the speeds offered through broadband Internet, you will need to receive your Internet connection through cable or DSL (Digital Subscriber Line).
VoIP Phone Service: The Perks
· Cheaper monthly phone bills
· Don’t have to pay for extra features, such as call waiting, 3-way calling and call-forwarding
· VoIP phones are portable and can receive/place calls from any worldwide high-speed Internet connection
· Check your voicemail from any computer
· Up to 75% savings on local, long-distance and international calling (depending on service plan)
· No more paying government taxes or surcharges
Yes, There Are a Few Disadvantages
Let’s say you’re in a snowstorm and the power lines are out. Honest as with a cordless phone, which functions through the use of electricity, your VoIP will also be affected in the same blueprint. Since your phone service is connected through the Internet, when the Internet is interrupted, so is your VoIP service. Additional details to keep in mind before switching to a VoIP phone is that some services do not offer access to directory assistance or 911 emergency access. Before choosing a VoIP service plan, these are some of the things you may want to look into.
VoIP Phone Service: The Cost
VoIP subscription services require the purchase of a service plan from a VoIP provider. Some companies have been known to offer unlimited yearly local and long-distance phone service for less than $200. The total cost to use VoIP technology depends on the way you wish to receive and place your calls. This will choose the significant accessories you will need, which may include:
1) Broadband Internet (Cable or DSL) Subscription
2) An adapter to connect your already existing telephone to VoIP services
3) VoIP headsets and handsets with USB connection
4) Software that turns your computer into a telephone (with the use of speakers and microphone)
5) VoIP phone (We all know the saying “you get what you pay for” and the same is true when purchasing a VoIP phone. Various phone models can cost as little as $25, but to really benefit from long-term product use and improved voice quality, the more reliable selections are priced above $100. Don’t be surprised if you come across models costing $1500 (usually geared towards business consumers).
The market is booming with VoIP phone options, offering an array of features for both personal and business consumers.
a) Desktop Hands-Free: Some can be connected and powered through an USB cable, such as a VoIP desktop hands free phone, which eliminates the use of a mouse for placing and ending phone calls.
b) Cordless: There are cordless VoIP phones, offering features like multiple expansion handsets, 2-way paging and handset speakerphone.
c) Business: Business VoIP phones use Ethernet cable for connection to an office network.
d) Wireless: There are also VoIP phones that provide wireless capabilities. They can be used in the office and home, as well as any public status supplying WiFi access.
Test Out the VoIP Phone Service For FREE
You can easily test out the inequity between traditional telephone service and VoIP technology by placing a PC-to-PC call for free. Numerous companies offer free VoIP software, which enables your computer to place phone calls across the Internet. The set-up is easy and takes about 3-5 minutes to complete. A popular free download for this service is called Skype 2.5 (http://www.skype.com).
The Catch: Calls can only be placed to computers that possess downloaded VoIP software and you cannot site phone calls to regular telephones. But this is free and it doesn’t matter if you call a computer in Seattle or China; it is still free.
VoIP Service Notion Example: Vonage
Let’s take a brief look at what Vonage has to offer customers who wish to make the switch towards VoIP technology. Vonage uses an analog phone with a broadband phone adapter to provide service.
Requirements: Broadband Internet (Cable or DSL); Vonage Phone Adapter (free with service plan); any touch-tone, corded or cordless phone
Features: All service plans include voicemail, caller ID w/ name, call waiting, call forwarding, 3-way calling, call transfer, repeat dialing, call return and more (for no extra cost).
Vonage Service Plans
1) Residential Basic 500 Minutes Plan
Cost: $14.99/ month
Details: 500 minutes of local and long distance.
Call anywhere in the US, Canada and Puerto Rico.
3.9¢ per minute after the first 500 monthly minutes.
2) Residential Premium Unlimited Plan
Cost: $ 24.99/month
Details: Unlimited local and long distance.
Call anywhere in the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico.
Just added free calls to Italy, France, U.K., Spain and Ireland.
3) Small Business Basic 1500 Minutes Plan
Cost: $39.99/month
Details: 1500 minutes of local and long distance.
Call anywhere in the US, Canada and Puerto Rico for business customers.
3.9¢ per minute after the first 1500 monthly minutes.
Receive a free, dedicated fax line.
4) Small Business Premium Unlimited Plan
Cost: $49.99/month
Details: Unlimited local and long distance.
Call anywhere in the US, Canada and Puerto Rico for business customers.
Just added free calls to Italy, France, U.K., Spain and Ireland.
Receive a free, dedicated fax line.
Companies Offering VoIP Service
For those who are interested in comparing VoIP service plans, you can check out the following companies:
· Adwell Communications: Offers VoIP services using phone, PBX or computer to make and receive calls
· AT&T CallVantage Service: VOIP plans includes unlimited calling within USA and Canada
· BroadVoice: VoIP provider using a supplied broadband phone adapter
· CallDaddy: Pre-paid VOIP services
· Callserve: Software download for PC-to-Phone service (outbound calls only)
· Dialpad Communications, Inc.: Monthly billing and pre-paid PC-to-Phone VoIP services, as well as broadband telephone adapter options (no PC needed).
· Lingo, Inc: Plans offer unlimited calls to U.S. and Canada using any phone (with provided adapter). Some plans offer unlimited calls to Europe, Asia, Mexico.
· RhinoBell: Offers PC-to-phone, phone-to-phone using device service
· Skype: Peer-to-peer Internet articulate service for Mac, Windows and Linux
· Voiceglo: VoIP service with both free and paid plans. Some plans require phone adapters or USB phones.
· VoicePulse: VoIP service offering phone-to-phone (with method).
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Filed under Home Business Phone Systems by on Aug 5th, 2010. Comment. 
We are experiencing the fastest growth in technology during this decade. We can now see the educational subjects and businesses which we never thought in the past. No matter how small or large a business firm is, in this aggressive commercial world, it has to make fine use of latest communication technologies to stay alive in the contest with competitors and maintain customer loyalty.
No matter what medium you use in your business, effectual communication with your customers, suppliers and partners play important function in the success of your business. For efficient operations of any organisation, small Business Telephone Systems are very handy. These phone systems enable you to interact with your customers in a quick way.
As we talk about small business phone systems, our brain quickly reminds us about Private Branch Exchange system technology, generally known to as PBX. PBX is used in organisations, where the strength of employees is more than forty. It is a private telephone exchange for your company or office. Business Telephone Systems are the most economical option for a business firm.
There is no specific criterion to call a business firm small; however, we call a business firm small if it has less than forty employees. For such firms, a cheap and feasible system, such as Key System Unit (KSU) is used. The KSU features line selection options on the network. Through this line selection feature a person can connect to any phone. KSU is used in small business firms. The system does not need anyone to control, so it saves labour cost. This system is very easy to reinstall, this is why it is most popular option for small business firms that have to relocate at anytime.
A small business telephone system should be selected according to your current and future needs. Therefore, an adaptable system, which can control more telephone traffic, should be installed. You should also be aware of the compatibility matters of your selected Business Telephone Systems with other devices like fax machines, modems, credit card terminals and conference equipments.
One very good option for small businesses is to use telephones with built-in SIP (Session Initiation Protocol). SIP telephone is a latest technology, which supports VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol). This technology enables the transmission of voice over internet at a cheap cost and with fast speed.
For small business firms, one new emerging technology is advanced phone systems. These Business Telephone Systems have amazing features like automated call answering, call messaging and routing. Advanced phone system is a cost effective solution. You do not need any phone answering staff to handle calls; so it saves lot of money in the long run.
Another plus point of small business phone systems is that the configuration and installation of these systems is very easy and simple. You don’t need any professional staff for this purpose. These systems make the interaction very easy; the customers don’t have to wait long to reach you, and similarly you can connect with your customers within no time. A good customer service always enhances the professional image of your business firm and increases sales.
Find how Business Telephone Systems help your business grow.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alex_Tipu
http://EzineArticles.com/?Brief-Introduction-to-Small-Business-Phone-Systems&id=3337026
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Filed under by on Jul 22nd, 2010. Comment.