Choosing and using a VOIP phone service
Learn how VOIP phone services are changing the way we communicate
VOIP phone services are cheap and they really do work for your home, office or business. Best of all, VOIP services are easy to set up and provide high quality connections, loads of practical features, and the cheapest phone rates in the in the USA or worldwide. Give it a try and enjoy the freedom to call without worrying about the cost.
No worries, clear connections
I got a high speed Internet connection in 2002. In 2004, I signed up with a VOIP phone service, and I've never looked back.
I call my family and friends at such cheap rates that I don't think about the cost ... and it takes the pain out of business calls to anyone in the world.
I call my family and friends at such cheap rates that I don't even think about the cost. The connections are clear, and it's fun. It's changed my attitude about calling long distance from hesitance to "why not?"
Having VOIP has given me a new sense of freedom to talk with people who seemed out of reach (family members and freinds), and it takes the pain out of placing business calls to anyone in the world.
Home and personal phone services
VOIP services give you the freedom to call friends and family regardless of the distance and talk for as long as you want. You can stop depending on email and use the phone instead.
VOIP phone services for business calling
A growing percentage of business phone services pass through the Internet. Companies large and small are switching because they can get quality service at a much lower cost.
Imagine calling customers, clients, and business partners across the USA (or around the world) without any concern about the cost?
You get more than just cheap rates. You get the features of an expensive office phone system included in the basic service. It's easy to add a toll free number or additional local numbers and have the incoming calls follow you anywhere in the USA or world.
T1 business phone services
Does your office or business have multiple phone lines? Or an extremely high volume of outgoing long distance calls (thousands of minutes per month)? Do you have muliple computers hooked up to the Internet? If so, consider getting a full or partial T-1 line (a high speed Internet connection that all your phones and computers can share).
Go to ShopforT1 and take advantage of their broadband advisor service to see if this kind of service is right for you.
VOIP phone services comparison
If you're ready to see the details, go straight to my VOIP phone services comparison. Compare the costs and features of four VOIP providers and make the best choice for your needs.
| Do you have, or can you get, a high speed cable or DSL Internet connection (at least 64 kbps download and upload speed)? | Yes |
| Are you a frequent long distance caller (calling often and/or talking for a long time)? | Yes, to any of these |
| Would you call long distance frequently if it was simple (just picking up an ordinary phone and dialing) and the calls were free or extremely cheap? | |
| Would you drop your local phone company (saving a potentially large monthly fee) if an Internet based VOIP service were a viable alternative? | |
| If you answered yes twice, then VOIP may be a great choice for you. If not, you may prefer a discount long distance carrier instead. | |
Why are people choosing VOIP
VOIP calling services work; they are simple to use; and you get extremely cheap rates.
Why are ten percent of business phone calls in the USA using Internet calling services, and why are millions and millions of business, office, and home users around the world switching? VOIP calling services work; they are simple to use; and you get extremely cheap rates. Here are some more reasons:
- VOIP phone calls sound great.
When the service is working, which should be 99 percent of the time, the calls sound just as clear as connections over regular phone lines. - The services are easy to use.
You use a regular phone with an adaptor that plugs into any high speed Internet connection. Dial the usual way and answer when it rings. Most people won't notice any difference at all. - VOIP companies have proven themselves.
Choose an experienced provider. See my comparison for examples. - The rates are amazingly cheap for US and international calling.
Call and talk anytime without worrying about rates. Calls within the USA are included in the flat monthly fee. International calls are very cheap, or free if the other person/office used the same VOIP service. - Powerful features are included in the basic service.
Voicemail, 3-way conferencing, call transfer, call forwarding, and many more features are included with no extra charge. For a small monthly fee, add a toll free number or additional local numbers. - Get a local phone number and choose your area code.
You get one local phone number with the basic service, and you choose the area code it's in (or keep your existing number). Most providers let you add additional local numbers for a small fee. Some providers let you choose local numbers in other countries. Wherever your local number is located, anyone in that calling area can reach you for free. - Get a business phone system for less.
Replace an expensive business phone system for less. For many home offices, getting a VOIP phone service will be like a free upgrade. - VOIP phone services travel with you.
Use the service anywhere you can plug into a cable or DSL Internet connection. Take your VOIP phone/adaptor with you on the road and use it at a friend's house or in your hotel's business center. Most of these services also let you place calls with your laptop via wireless if needed. - The services offer "no risk" trial periods.
You don't have to cancel your current long distance provider. Sign up and try out a VOIP provider for up to 30 days with a money back guarantee. The "guarantees" vary depending on the provider you choose. See my VOIP comparison for more information.
Practical questions and answers
Do T1 and VOIP based phone services really work well?
Yes, they do. Your connections should sound as clear as calls over regular phone lines most of the time. You can give VOIP a trial run to find out for yourself. All of the services in this comparison (here) offer a trial period with a money back guarantee if you don't want to continue.
My local phone service costs over $50 a month. Can I completely drop that service and use an VOIP based phone service instead for all my calls?
Yes, you can. Many people do that, while others keep their local phone company and use the Internet phone service for long distance calls.
Consider that:
- You may NOT have the same level of 911 emergency phone services if you drop your local carrier. Most of these services give you a 911 dialing option that reaches a "Public Safety Answer Point." But you MUST go online and configure the service in order for this to work though.
- The quality with VOIP should be very high and the service should be working close to 100 percent of the time, but you may experience some glitches and interruptions.
How do I choose the best service for my needs?
Again, I suggest starting with my VOIP comparison.
What is the difference between the residential and business VOIP phone service plans?
In most cases there is no difference. You can use a regular "unlimited" service plan for your business or home office, but if your calling volume is very high you may be asked to switch to a business plan.
Are these services easy to use?
I read about someone who signed up his grandmother for VOIP phone service, and she never noticed the difference.
They are easy to setup and use. I read that someone who signed up his grandmother for VOIP phone service, and she never noticed the difference. If you don't have a computer, just plug an adapter into your DSL, ADSL or cable Internet connection. Then attach a phone (regular or cordless) and dial. Or buy a special phone with the adapter built in. By the way, you can take your adapter (or phone with abuilt in adapter) with you on the road. Plug it in to a high speed Internet connection anywhere, and use it to make and receive phone calls.
What is required to use a VOIP phone service?
You need a high speed Internet connection (DSL, ADSL, Cable or LAN) with a minimum of 64 Kbps download and upload speed. The connection should connect via a standard Ethernet cable. (Find a DSL provider here.)
If you need to plug a computer into the same Internet connection, then you will need a router (to share the connection). Basic routers (Netgear, Linksys, etc.) are not that expensive and can be found at computer stores.
Will these services surprise me with hidden fees?
I recommend choosing a proven provider and reading the "Terms and Conditions" carefully. Some fees to watch for are: 911 service fees, fees if you add a toll free number, "regulatory recovery fees", and termination fees.
What if I don't have a DSL or cable Internet connection?
Look for a DSL provider in your area at ShopforDSL.com (click here) .
Get started
See my VOIP comparison for recommmended providers and details.