Sunday, October 24, 2010

Is Internet Phone Really Worth It?

You have heard the word around about an internet phone and you have probably seen the ads and read the huge billboards around the city. I am sure someone in your neighborhood would definitely be using a VOIP service. VOIP or in full form known as Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) or an internet phone or is the new digital sensation in the telecommunication world driving huge crowds of people to sign up with a service provider.

There are more than hundreds of VOIP service providers in the market today. Every VOIP provider has different calling plans, mostly residential and business plans. These business plans are generally a bit more expensive than the residential calling plans, though there are many interesting features offered as well. The most common service features include voice mail, caller ID, call blocking, call waiting, 3-way calling and the best part is that these service features don't cost a penny extra - but this is limited to an internet phone service only. On the contrary, traditional phone service charges extra for every additional feature you want, mostly $15-$25, depending on the feature you choose.

International calls are cheap when dialed from an Internet phone service. Imagine calling Australia or Korea for as low as 3 cents per min., depending on which country you are dialing. In addition, mostly internet phone providers offer services like making free calls to US and Canada. If you have friends or family living overseas, and calling from traditional phone, even though scares you, then simply subscribe to an internet phone and choose a calling plan that allows you to make long hours calls and get the feeling of staying connected even if you're away.

Do you have a high-speed internet connection? No, not just an internet connection, a high-speed connection like a DSL or cable internet, then you can get a tremendous Voice quality for your VOIP phone. In addition to that, you can make economical calls using public hot spots that facilitate you with a Wi-Fi service for either free or just a few cents an hour.

If you are running a business, then a VOIP phone with a business service plan activated is exactly what you need to begin with. Every business owner wants to save more money than spending it and an internet phone gives you an incredibly low priced service without much pre-requisites, expect for a high speed internet connection. Mostly, businesspersons need to make numerous calls daily and need to build a strong market presence as well. Business owners stand to benefit the most from switching to VOIP service. High long distance volume, systems integration, phone number mobility, and local market presence are the main reasons why. With a VOIP phone, you can continue to make calls without worrying much about the call charges and save oodles of money. Just imagine what it would be making the same amount of calls that you do with a traditional phone service, you would be given with a big bill at the end, and you will be infuriated with the figure.

So if you want to save and enjoy maximum calling benefits, subscribe to an internet phone service today.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Expanding Use of VOIP Technology

The advancement in technology has caused abundant changes especially in the field of communication. One form of technology that offers a great deal of convenience to the way people communicate nowadays is the use of Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP). It is a technology that allows the users to make voice calls using a broadband Internet connection rather than a regular phone line.

VOIP is starting to gain popularity as users learn about its advantages. For one, VOIP produced revolutionary changes in the business sector. It is proven to be very beneficial in companies because VOIP can keep them away from high expenses on phone calls. Since the costs are low compared to the traditional telecommunication systems, businesses can now talk all over the world to their clients, workers and to anyone that they need to talk to. Another appealing feature is conference calling, which provides a company a better way for communication through holding conferences between the management, the workforce and even with the clients. As such, connecting is easy, they no longer need to travel long distances, and hence their time as well as financial resources are saved. Aside from the aforementioned feature, VOIP also comes with a bunch of innovative communication features such as call forwarding, call waiting, caller ID, three-way calling and voice mail. All of these services are free of charge, whereas in traditional telecommunications companies you have to pay extra before you can avail it. Noticeably, a number of enterprises are now shifting to VoIP as their main communication instrument because of these various features. It is not merely the business sector, who widely accepted this technology. It is also embraced by individuals; they use it in their everyday lives as they connect to their families and friends globally.

However, it cannot be denied that some people are still reluctant to use VOIP for the reason that this technology has also some drawbacks. Firstly, it is susceptible to power failure which means that some services don't work when there is electrical interruption. There are also reports that it is not that reliable during emergency situations. Unlike traditional telephones where emergency personnel can automatically identify location and direct the closest emergency personnel to that location, in this service it cannot work this way. Needless to say, these downsides are not without solutions. Most service providers are now developing ways to address the disadvantages and improving the quality of their service is their primary concern. It is essential to look for a service provider that can responsibly offer quality service. Without a doubt, taking advantage of VOIP technology can be an exciting, uncomplicated, and money saving endeavor.

Why Companies Choose VOIP

The rise of technology has given us not only given us improved and convenient living, it has also helped increase globalization, and close cultural gaps through better communication. We see this with simple things that take place every day, such as long distance conversations on the cell phone, instant messaging on the Internet and finally, the newest breakthrough in modern communication: the Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP).

The name Voice over Internet Protocol itself pretty much sums it all up. VOIP is the transmission of voice over the Internet. Unlike regular analog telephones, it sends voice in digital packets or IP packets. Then, users can have the option to receive it either through digital means or analog means. Digital means would include receiving it over the Internet through your computer. Users may use applications like Skype or MSN messenger. Analog means of receiving VOIP calls is quite a tad more complicated. One would need the use of an ADC or an analog-to-digital converter to convert the digital audio packets first before being able to listen to them.

Why Companies Choose VOIP
Companies generally choose VOIP because of its cost-effectiveness, speed and efficiency. Especially with making business calls or calling for multi-location business meetings, VoIP certainly proves better than using regular phone lines.

Cost-Effectiveness
Making VOIP calls is free of charge. Since the audio is sent over the Internet, the company would need only to maintain an Internet subscription and not subscription from a regular telephone company anymore.

Companies also spend less in using VOIP networks because numerous offices in different locations are virtually connected and share common VOIP features like voice mail, caller ID and etc. They can communicate whenever and wherever in no time. All they need is an Internet subscription and the necessary equipment.

Efficiency
VOIP is especially good for business because business members can communicate effectively with it. As opposed to making a regular telephone call, VOIP calls are capable of incorporating multimedia features with it. For example, a business conference may need the assistance of graphs and charts to discuss profit trends. They can do so by just sending in the pictures, videos and graphics of those data and tables in a video conference. They sure won't be able to do this with a normal telephone.

Clarity and Portability
Because they are sent in digital packets, audio signals in VoIP calls are generally clearer than ones that pass through the telephone wires. These digital audio signals are not subject to weather disturbances. However, they do have the tendency to be choppy especially if the audio file being sent is large, but these are immediately patched up by either overlapping them with other data packets or repeating them. Generally they are not noticeable as one data packet consist only of a small portion of the whole audio.

One can also make a VOIP call anywhere as long as there is Internet. VOIP calls are not limited to PC-to-PC networks. Mobile phones are also capable of receiving them.

Friday, June 26, 2009

Cut Costs Using VOIP

The recent world-wide down turn is forcing individuals, corporations and companies to look at ways of cutting costs. One way of doing this is to find a suitable and alternative way to make phone calls. Whether personal or business, options are now available using voice over the internet protocol or VOIP.

To a large extent, people have already incorporated the use of VOIP without actually realizing. Many millions of Individuals use MSN and Yahoo as an everyday routine of life. The once text only service now has incorporated a voice and web cam facility making it possible to talk to people anywhere in the world for free. Businesses use Skype to make conference calls often involving conversations with more than two people. Although established within the psyche of most people, many however fail to realize that the use of a landlines can now be made redundant altogether.

The above describes the use of applications which allow PC to PC calls to take place. However, new technology has allowed the PC to telephone, a landline and/or a mobile. Most people's concerns with this would be three fold:

1. Having to always switch on the computer
2. Quality of phone call
3. Set up expense

Skype address all three options. Although each adopts a different approach, it is certainly now possible to make a phone call via the PC, without having to switch the computer on, and by using your existing handset. The quality of the phone call is as good if not better, and the set up expense although constitutes an additional outlay, is relatively inexpensive and ultimately does away with the expensive land line altogether. The rates for making phone calls are considerably cheaper than the land line, thus cutting costs at a time when most people will need to.

It is no surprise to learn that consumers are turning to VOIP at a greater rate each year and the data shows that 1 out of 12 households at least in Canada have turned to VOIP which indicates a trend which is unlikely to reverse.

Sunday, April 26, 2009

MagicJack a substitute for basic phone

If you are sick and tired of monthly reoccurring phone bills, there is something that you can do to put an end to it. You can purchase the Magic Jack. This simple devise plugs into your computer and has a regular phone jack on the end of it. All you do is plug the phone cord into your Magic Jack phone jack slot and you are all set. You will be able to get unlimited phone calls that are run through your computer. You will not receive those ridiculous phone bills month after month. Instead, you will simply pay a one time fee for the entire year. If you choose you can save even more money by paying for the Magic Jack a few years up front.

When you get your Magic Jack you will just plug it into your computer and go through a simple set up process which should pull up immediately after plugging in the Magic Jack. This is when you will receive your phone number. You will be able to send and receive phone calls for free from this point on. The Magic Jack also gives you caller ID, 3 way calling, voice mail, and call waiting. You get all of this and more for an affordable cost for an entire year. As stated above, you can save even more money by paying for several years worth of service in advance.

The Magic Jack will work with a regular corded phone or a cordless phone. When you are talking on your phone as it is plugged into the Magic Jack, you can't tell the difference. Your conversations are still clear. You can hear the person you are talking to and they can hear you, just as if you were on a normal land line.

The Magic Jack is a great invention that everyone should learn more about. It's amazing to think that you can get everything from such a little piece of equipment and one low yearly price that most people pay high monthly bills for. If you are looking for options and a way to lower your bills, you should really think about getting the Magic Jack. You will be glad that you did since you will be able to get all of the same service for hundreds or thousands of dollars less than you are used to paying for a normal land line, sometimes with even less features. I am so glad that I have a Magic Jack and I would recommend it to anyone.

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Don't Buy VOIP Just For the Hype

New businesses, like yours, which are in the growth mode and are looking to invest money in a professional business phone system having intercom, paging, music-on-hold, speed dialing, multi-line capability, voice-mail boxes, auto-attendant, customized company greetings and so on.

Your business is attracting new customers, phone lines are constantly busy, you need to add more lines from the telephone company, you need to shed off your old two-line phones for a full featured phone system.

It will be surprising to note what some small business owners think that by getting a multi-line business phone system, they will automatically get the hunting features allowing them to receive more calls. If Line 1 is busy, it will automatically go to Line 2 , Line 3 , Line 4 and so on. They do not realize that a business phone system only extends the functionality of your 2 Line or 4 Line phone. If you have a 2 Line or 4 Line phone, you also need 2 or 4 Lines from the phone company to have multi-line call hunting.

A business phone system will NOT magically give you unlimited lines with hunting capability. You will still need to order as many lines from your friendly neighborhood phone company.

What are the key features that drive you to choose an IP PBX System and not the traditional phone system?

Here are a few :
- Why, it's VOIP! Voice over internet technology.
- It's state-of-the-art technology, the latest and the greatest
- VOIP means Free Long Distance, free calling, lower bills.
- The IP PBX phone system is in expensive
- VOIP phone lines are cheap
- I can set it up myself. It connects into the same network as my computers. No additional cabling required.
- I can program the system myself with easy web interface and menu selection
- the system has unlimited expansion capability. No more expensive upgrades. Just buy new handsets/phones and hook them up.
- I can move my phone around and swap with other phones in the office easily, and make admin changes to users and mailboxes
- I can take my phone out of the office and simply connect it to any internet connection across the world and use it as if I was still in the office. Wow, I can be a remote worker. Telecommute.

That's a great feature list. No doubt.

Now lets look closely at each one of them...

Residential VOIP phone service may be cheap when you calculate the cost of all the features bundled into one low price. But when it comes to business VOIP, I beg to differ. Consider this, a good business VOIP service will cost you between $22.95 - $32.95 per month. If you need more than 3 channels for simultaneous outgoing calls ( called multi-line or hunt group in traditional telephony terms ) you may as well opt for a dedicated broadband access which will cost you around $59.95 a month ...remember this is a business account and you will pay a premium for the better grade of service and support.

Taking the lowest figures you will end up spending $128.8 for a 3 channel VOIP trunk. And this works out to minimum $43 per line. Compare this with your friendly neighborhood landline provider with the features that both offer and then make an informed decision.

And talking about features...what features do you really need for any business multiline? If you are going to invest in a business pbx system, then all you need is Caller ID display and Voicemail service. Thats all!

Don't buy VOIP just because of the hype. Remember, when you buy VOIP, you are also relying on the broadband service provider. Whereas, in case of landlines, there is a direct copper wire circuit connecting you directly and exclusively to the telephone company's switching network.

And there are deals being offered by landline providers, to match those offered by VOIP service providers.

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

The Inner Workings of a VOIP Video Phone

A VOIP video phone utilizes the latest in communication technology using your broadband internet connection. You can stay in touch with friends, family and colleagues anywhere around the world and can even talk to them face-to-face in real time through the video display screen. But before going through the inner workings of this new technology, you must first understand some basic information about a video phone.

What is VOIP?

VOIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol, a technology that is used to send digitized voice and video signals through the Internet. Using advanced communication protocols such as SIP (Session Initiation Protocol), H.323 or other proprietary systems, one can call or have videoconferencing with another person using the same technology from across the globe. Using the necessary hardware for your computer like a webcam, headset and VOIP software, you can communicate with audio and video signals over the internet. With a VOIP video phone, you can directly connect to the internet and make video calls.

How does VOIP transmit voice or video signals?

The webcam and microphone captures your voice and video images and converts them into digital signals. These digitized signals are then sent through the internet through your VOIP provider software. The signals are then received by the person you are calling, as long as they are using the same VOIP software at their end. However, with a video phone, you can do away with the webcam or even a PC and connect directly to the Internet and start video phoning.

What is a VOIP video phone?

A VOIP video phone is different from ordinary or standard telephones as they can connect directly to the Internet through a built-in Ethernet port. They can communicate directly through the Internet gateway to other computers or through another VOIP phone. There is no need to use a computer for video phoning and all you need is a broadband or DSL internet connection. You can bring the video phone anywhere around the world and still make video calls back to your family, friends or business associates just by connecting to the Internet.

What are VOIP video phone features?

With several players slowly emerging and taking advantage of this new technology, more and more models of video phones using the latest technologies are coming out in the market. If you are planning to ride the wave of the future and get yourself a video phone, check out the following basic features that your new phone should have:

- 7-inch Digital Color Screen with high resolution
- A video output so you can connect a larger LCD screen
- High quality video imagery
- When not in use, the phone can serve as a digital photo frame.
- Can be used with multiple languages
- Has a USB port so you can download and upload pictures, music and video
- Can receive video mails
- Can receive video greetings
- Cordless or wireless

Sooner or later, all households will have a video phone as a standard fixture in the home. Scenes that we can only see in sci-fi movies are now coming to pass. So get hold of a VOIP video phone right and be part of the future - today.