Showing posts with label VoIP. Show all posts
Showing posts with label VoIP. Show all posts

Saturday, September 24, 2011

What To Look For In Cable Promotions

Cable promotions are a lot more interesting than was the case a decade ago. Now, thanks to the latest digital technology, as well as the internet, choosing a cable subscription requires a lot more analysis than just opting for a package that offers your favorite programming. It is important to try and identify which promotion will provide your family with everything they need in terms of home entertainment and communications for the best price.
With the cost of living and interest rates rising, and paychecks not increasing as fast, choosing the right all-in-one cable package has never been so important. Though we can live without access to the online world and TV channels, most of us think of these services as being essential. A bundled promotion can provide premium programming, a residential phone line, and a high-speed internet connection for an affordable price. If you were to use separate vendors for each of these services, you would end up paying a lot more.

The internet has evolved into something which is far more than just a means of searching for information and using email. Today, we go online for banking, shopping, and a myriad of other activities. When checking out the latest cable promotions, it is important to choose a provider who has an efficient high-speed service.
When checking out what type of plans are available, an area that should not be overlooked is security. It is essential that you choose a subscription that comes with the latest security software, as this can help to protect against the threat of malicious software that is designed to steal your personal information.
A service that you should keep an eye out for is On Demand. If you want to be able to watch what you want, when you want, having access to an extensive On-Demand selection could be critical. As no one can always sit down in front of the TV at the same time each night, having the flexibility to choose when you can have access to your favorite shows is extremely desirable.
On a final note, if opting for a bundled package that includes a home phone service, consider the cost of calls. If you often make long distance calls to friends in other parts of the country, or in Canada or Mexico, make sure you choose a promotion in which you are given a fixed amount of free calls per month. This can help to save you a considerable outlay.

Friday, September 4, 2009

NoNoh Free VoIP Phone Service Review - How Well Does No Noh Work?

What Is NoNoh?

NoNoh is a brand new VoIP phone service that allows people to make free or nearly free VoIP calls to others all over the world. NoNoh is free to select countries and is extremely cheap to those that aren't offered for free. NoNoh software allows you to make calls to other VoIP phones and even regular phones for the free or at extremely low rates. For all other countries you are required to purchase credits, sort of like you would with a prepaid cell phone.

How Do The Free Calls Work With NoNoh?

In order to get the 120 days free to the free countries you will have to buy some credits (around $10 worth). These credits however will only be used if you make calls to the non-free countries. All of the free countries will continue to be free for 120 days. As far as we can tell after the 120 days if you buy more credits you will then get another 120 days for free. This means that if you only make calls to the free countries it will actually cost you $10 for about 4 months. However if you also make calls to the non-free countries then your credits will be used for those calls. Any credits you purchase never expire.

Are There Any Limits On The Number Of Free Calls?

Currently NoNoh has a limit of 200 minutes of free talk time per week. Once your free minutes are used up normal rates apply.

What Countries Does NoNoh Offer Free Callings To?

NoNoh currently offers free calls to many different countries. We were unable to find a complete listed on the NoNoh website but we did find one chart that did list most or all of the countries that were free as of August of 2009.

Argentina
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Brazil
Bulgaria
Canada
China
Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hong Kong
Hungary
Ireland
Japan
Latvia
Malaysia
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Panama
Peru
Poland
Portugal
Puerto Rico
Romania
Russian Federation
Singapore
Slovak Republic
Slovenia
South Korea
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Thailand
Turkey
United Kingdom
United States
Venezuela

*Free Countries Are Submit To Changes And Do Change Often. Check the official NoNoh website for a current list of free countries.

How Exactly Does NoNoh Work?

In order to use NoNoh you first need to visit the official Nonoh.net website. Once there you can make a call immediately but only a short call that is several minutes long. If you want to make longer calls you will need to sign up for an account and get the NoNoh application. Once you have the application all you have to do is open up the program and follow the on-screen instructions to make a phone call. NoNoh works by callings you first and once you answer then it will connect you with the person you are trying to call.

Are There Any Know Issues With NoNoh?

  • There have been reports of customers being charged for calls to free countries. Iriate customers attribute this to NoNoh having scamming tactics while NoNoh claims that in the past they have had billing system issues and that these problems have been corrected.
  • There have been a large number of customers that claim that NoNoh stops workings for them after awhile. Perhaps this is related to kinks in the new technology or it could be errors on the users end. Regardless it can't hurt to try out the free service and hope that it keeps working for you.
  • Customer with problems have said that it is very difficult to get in contact with customer service in order to get billings or technical problems resolved.
  • A lack of good payment options for purchasing credits.

The NoNoh Bottom Line

NoNoh is a VoIP service that provides extremely cheap or free calls to countries all over the world. They offer some of the lowest rates worldwide and their service appears to work pretty well. There however have been some issues with customer service and for some users the service doesn't work very well. Their voice quality is on par with most other VoIP service providers and it good enough. Overall, NoNoh appears to be in the same boat as most other VoIP providers in that they provide an extremely cheap alternative to a traditional landline and decent voice quality, but also have technical glitches that make the service inconvenient for some users. If you are going to get a VoIP service then NoNoh could be a good choice for you with their cheap rates. However, some customer service issues including accusations of credit card fraud are troubling. It might be in your best interest to go with a larger more trusted VoIP service provider such as magic Jack. It is however important to note that all accusations are just that, accusations that have not been substantiated.

NoNoh Free VoIP Phone Service Review - How Well Does No Noh Work?

What Is NoNoh?

NoNoh is a brand new VoIP phone service that allows people to make free or nearly free VoIP calls to others all over the world. NoNoh is free to select countries and is extremely cheap to those that aren't offered for free. NoNoh software allows you to make calls to other VoIP phones and even regular phones for the free or at extremely low rates. For all other countries you are required to purchase credits, sort of like you would with a prepaid cell phone.

How Do The Free Calls Work With NoNoh?

In order to get the 120 days free to the free countries you will have to buy some credits (around $10 worth). These credits however will only be used if you make calls to the non-free countries. All of the free countries will continue to be free for 120 days. As far as we can tell after the 120 days if you buy more credits you will then get another 120 days for free. This means that if you only make calls to the free countries it will actually cost you $10 for about 4 months. However if you also make calls to the non-free countries then your credits will be used for those calls. Any credits you purchase never expire.

Are There Any Limits On The Number Of Free Calls?

Currently NoNoh has a limit of 200 minutes of free talk time per week. Once your free minutes are used up normal rates apply.

What Countries Does NoNoh Offer Free Callings To?

NoNoh currently offers free calls to many different countries. We were unable to find a complete listed on the NoNoh website but we did find one chart that did list most or all of the countries that were free as of August of 2009.

Argentina
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Brazil
Bulgaria
Canada
China
Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hong Kong
Hungary
Ireland
Japan
Latvia
Malaysia
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Panama
Peru
Poland
Portugal
Puerto Rico
Romania
Russian Federation
Singapore
Slovak Republic
Slovenia
South Korea
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Thailand
Turkey
United Kingdom
United States
Venezuela

*Free Countries Are Submit To Changes And Do Change Often. Check the official NoNoh website for a current list of free countries.

How Exactly Does NoNoh Work?

In order to use NoNoh you first need to visit the official Nonoh.net website. Once there you can make a call immediately but only a short call that is several minutes long. If you want to make longer calls you will need to sign up for an account and get the NoNoh application. Once you have the application all you have to do is open up the program and follow the on-screen instructions to make a phone call. NoNoh works by callings you first and once you answer then it will connect you with the person you are trying to call.

Are There Any Know Issues With NoNoh?

  • There have been reports of customers being charged for calls to free countries. Iriate customers attribute this to NoNoh having scamming tactics while NoNoh claims that in the past they have had billing system issues and that these problems have been corrected.
  • There have been a large number of customers that claim that NoNoh stops workings for them after awhile. Perhaps this is related to kinks in the new technology or it could be errors on the users end. Regardless it can't hurt to try out the free service and hope that it keeps working for you.
  • Customer with problems have said that it is very difficult to get in contact with customer service in order to get billings or technical problems resolved.
  • A lack of good payment options for purchasing credits.

The NoNoh Bottom Line

NoNoh is a VoIP service that provides extremely cheap or free calls to countries all over the world. They offer some of the lowest rates worldwide and their service appears to work pretty well. There however have been some issues with customer service and for some users the service doesn't work very well. Their voice quality is on par with most other VoIP service providers and it good enough. Overall, NoNoh appears to be in the same boat as most other VoIP providers in that they provide an extremely cheap alternative to a traditional landline and decent voice quality, but also have technical glitches that make the service inconvenient for some users. If you are going to get a VoIP service then NoNoh could be a good choice for you with their cheap rates. However, some customer service issues including accusations of credit card fraud are troubling. It might be in your best interest to go with a larger more trusted VoIP service provider such as magic Jack. It is however important to note that all accusations are just that, accusations that have not been substantiated.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Best / Top VoIP Service Providers: Residential & Business

If you are looking to get a VoIP telephone line then you have a pretty big decision ahead of you. With rapid advancements in VoIP technology there are some striking differences in both costs and features among the top VoIP providers and you need to be sure that you get one that matches with your needs and budget.

If you are looking to get VoIP service from one of the top providers available we recommend that you check out the list that we have provided below. The list below includes VoIP providers that are rated very highly per our research. It is my no means considered exhaustive and it may be in your best interest to also consider other VoIP providers that are not discussed here. If you are interested in more information on any of the companies we have written about below you can click on they hyperlink at the beginning of the writeup and it will take you to the full review.

Vonage: Vonage is one of the largest VoIP providers in the United States and is a pioneer company within the industry. Vonage is known for providing high voice quality and above average customer service (when compared to its competitors). Vonage comes with more features that most smaller VoIP provider but also costs a little bit more. In regards to large VoIP providers Vonage prices are extremely affordable. One great thing about Vonage is that it can be used with a traditional phone or directly through your computer with a softphone application. If you are serious about getting VoIP but want an extremely reliable service then Vonage may be for you.

Magic Jack: magicJack is an interesting VoIP service and is quite different than most others. Magic Jack comes as a very small USB device that you hook into your computer on one end and then into your phone on the other end. With Magic Jack you pay $19.95 per year for unlimited long and long distance calling. Magic Jack has run into some service and customer support issues as of late but honestly what can you expect for less than $1.70 per month. You get what you pay for and with Magic Jack it may not be perfect all of the time at such a cheap price.

Comcast Digital Voice: Although not technically a VoIP service Comcast Digital Voice is essentially the same. The only difference is that it runs on a dedicated server and is not transmitted over the public Internet. Comcast is one of the largest cable and Internet providers in the United States and is now consuming a huge portion of the land line telephone market. Comcast is known for providing reliable service but not for providing great customer service. With Comcast Digital Voice you will get a better deal that what you get with a traditional landline but it is also slightly more expensive than VoIP services such as Vonage. Comcast Digital Voice is a great choice for those that already subscribe to another Comcast service because it can quickly and easily be added to your account.

Time Warner Digital Phone: Time Warner Digital Phone is just like Comcast service in that it is not technically a VoIP service but is essentially the same thing. The only difference is that it is ran on a private dedicated Time Warner server. Time Warner Digital Phone is known for providing extremely high voice quality and extremely reliable service. Time Warner Digital Phone is slightly more expensive than both Vonage and Comcast services. There are equivalent alternatives that cost less than this service but it is still a cheap alternative to a regular landline.

Skype: Skype is one of the most widely known VoIP providers in the world. Skype is run exclusively through a software application and is not meant to be wired through a regular telephone. Skype not only provides VoIP services but is a standard chat service similar to Yahoo Messenger or AIM. With Skype you can make mostly free calls to other computers and calls to land lines and mobile phones for a fee. With Skype you can either get a monthly plan or you can purchase a set number of minutes at a time. Skype is an excellent service and one that we recommend to anyone who wants to get the cheapest deal out there but doesn't mind not having their calls not ring through a traditional phone.

Lingo: Lingo is an up and coming VoIP service provider that is slowly growing and capturing part of the VoIP market. Lingo, like most VoIP providers provides fairly decent voice quality and excellent prices. The reliability of Lingo may not be quite as good as that of some of the other service providers but they make up for it by offering their service at a lower price. From time to time Lingo offers extremely low introductory prices for new customers and usually their rates are slightly below Vonage rates.

Qwest: Qwest is another one of the big VoIP providers and provides it's service at an excellent low price. Qwest is known for having a reliable VoIP network and providing great voice quality. If you are looking for VoIP service from a large, trusted, and well known name then Qwest is a good option to consider. With Qwest there are options to bundle VoIP along with other services and in return realize substantial monthly savings.

Best / Top VoIP Service Providers: Residential & Business

If you are looking to get a VoIP telephone line then you have a pretty big decision ahead of you. With rapid advancements in VoIP technology there are some striking differences in both costs and features among the top VoIP providers and you need to be sure that you get one that matches with your needs and budget.

If you are looking to get VoIP service from one of the top providers available we recommend that you check out the list that we have provided below. The list below includes VoIP providers that are rated very highly per our research. It is my no means considered exhaustive and it may be in your best interest to also consider other VoIP providers that are not discussed here. If you are interested in more information on any of the companies we have written about below you can click on they hyperlink at the beginning of the writeup and it will take you to the full review.

Vonage: Vonage is one of the largest VoIP providers in the United States and is a pioneer company within the industry. Vonage is known for providing high voice quality and above average customer service (when compared to its competitors). Vonage comes with more features that most smaller VoIP provider but also costs a little bit more. In regards to large VoIP providers Vonage prices are extremely affordable. One great thing about Vonage is that it can be used with a traditional phone or directly through your computer with a softphone application. If you are serious about getting VoIP but want an extremely reliable service then Vonage may be for you.

Magic Jack: magicJack is an interesting VoIP service and is quite different than most others. Magic Jack comes as a very small USB device that you hook into your computer on one end and then into your phone on the other end. With Magic Jack you pay $19.95 per year for unlimited long and long distance calling. Magic Jack has run into some service and customer support issues as of late but honestly what can you expect for less than $1.70 per month. You get what you pay for and with Magic Jack it may not be perfect all of the time at such a cheap price.

Comcast Digital Voice: Although not technically a VoIP service Comcast Digital Voice is essentially the same. The only difference is that it runs on a dedicated server and is not transmitted over the public Internet. Comcast is one of the largest cable and Internet providers in the United States and is now consuming a huge portion of the land line telephone market. Comcast is known for providing reliable service but not for providing great customer service. With Comcast Digital Voice you will get a better deal that what you get with a traditional landline but it is also slightly more expensive than VoIP services such as Vonage. Comcast Digital Voice is a great choice for those that already subscribe to another Comcast service because it can quickly and easily be added to your account.

Time Warner Digital Phone: Time Warner Digital Phone is just like Comcast service in that it is not technically a VoIP service but is essentially the same thing. The only difference is that it is ran on a private dedicated Time Warner server. Time Warner Digital Phone is known for providing extremely high voice quality and extremely reliable service. Time Warner Digital Phone is slightly more expensive than both Vonage and Comcast services. There are equivalent alternatives that cost less than this service but it is still a cheap alternative to a regular landline.

Skype: Skype is one of the most widely known VoIP providers in the world. Skype is run exclusively through a software application and is not meant to be wired through a regular telephone. Skype not only provides VoIP services but is a standard chat service similar to Yahoo Messenger or AIM. With Skype you can make mostly free calls to other computers and calls to land lines and mobile phones for a fee. With Skype you can either get a monthly plan or you can purchase a set number of minutes at a time. Skype is an excellent service and one that we recommend to anyone who wants to get the cheapest deal out there but doesn't mind not having their calls not ring through a traditional phone.

Lingo: Lingo is an up and coming VoIP service provider that is slowly growing and capturing part of the VoIP market. Lingo, like most VoIP providers provides fairly decent voice quality and excellent prices. The reliability of Lingo may not be quite as good as that of some of the other service providers but they make up for it by offering their service at a lower price. From time to time Lingo offers extremely low introductory prices for new customers and usually their rates are slightly below Vonage rates.

Qwest: Qwest is another one of the big VoIP providers and provides it's service at an excellent low price. Qwest is known for having a reliable VoIP network and providing great voice quality. If you are looking for VoIP service from a large, trusted, and well known name then Qwest is a good option to consider. With Qwest there are options to bundle VoIP along with other services and in return realize substantial monthly savings.

What Is VoIP Phone Service? (Voice over Internet Protocol)

What Is VoIP?

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is a technology that routes voice traffic over IP networks. IP networks were first developed for data transmission but their popularity sparked the idea of using them for voice transmissions too. VoIP technology transfers voice data into digital signals and routes them through the IP network and then converts it back to a voice transmission on the other end. VoIP allows for calls directly from a PC, through a special VoIP phone, or through a traditional phone by using an adapter. Some others names for VoIP phone services include Voice over IP, Broadband Phone, Internet Phone Service, Digital Phone, and Internet Telephony.

What Are The Benefits Of VoIP?

The biggest benefit of getting VoIP telephone service is its extremely low cost. In most cases service providers charge a monthly fee that includes unlimited local and long distance calls and a less than average rate for international calls. It is also cheaper because there are currently no government regulatory fees associated with VoIP phones. Another great thing about VoIP service is that it can be taken anywhere. When you are making calls over the Internet it doesn't matter where you are as long as you have a broadband Internet connection and can access your VoIP software.

What Features Does VoIP Service Come With?

VoIP phones come with all of the usual feature that we have come to expect from traditional land line companies. This includes caller ID, call waiting, 3-way calling, conference calls, voicemail, call blocking, 411 directory assistance, last number re-dial, call forwarding, E911 service, and much more. VoIP also comes with several features that we are not use to seeing with traditional service. One neat feature is the ability to have your voice mails sent to you as an attachment through email. This is a pretty simple feature but creates and easy way to keep up with voicemail messages while checking your email.

What Are The Disadvantages of VoIP?

One disadvantage of VoIP service is a lack of 911 emergency services as compared to what you get with a standard land line. Luckily technological advancements have allowed for an E911 service that is comparable to what you get with a regular land line. Another disadvantage is the possibility of not being able to use your VoIP service when there is a power outage. In most cases this seems to be of little concern because nearly everybody has a cell phone that could be used if a power outage occurs.

What Equipment Is Needed For VoIP Service?

First and foremost you will need a broadband Internet connection. Beside that the only equipment that is usually needed in order to setup VoIP service is either an analog telephone adapter (ATA) or VoIP phone. All you have to do is hook up the ATA to your modem and telephone and then your VoIP phone line will be directly linked to your normal telephone. You will also need the VoIP software that will be supplied by your service provider if you want to use your computer for calls.

What Is The Difference Between Local, Long Distance,and International VoIP Calling?

In most cases these days you get free local and long distance calling with your VoIP service provider. Most, if not all VoIP providers charge for international calling but the rate in generally a lot cheaper than what you would expect to pay if you had a traditional land line.

What Is VoIP Phone Service? (Voice over Internet Protocol)

What Is VoIP?

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is a technology that routes voice traffic over IP networks. IP networks were first developed for data transmission but their popularity sparked the idea of using them for voice transmissions too. VoIP technology transfers voice data into digital signals and routes them through the IP network and then converts it back to a voice transmission on the other end. VoIP allows for calls directly from a PC, through a special VoIP phone, or through a traditional phone by using an adapter. Some others names for VoIP phone services include Voice over IP, Broadband Phone, Internet Phone Service, Digital Phone, and Internet Telephony.

What Are The Benefits Of VoIP?

The biggest benefit of getting VoIP telephone service is its extremely low cost. In most cases service providers charge a monthly fee that includes unlimited local and long distance calls and a less than average rate for international calls. It is also cheaper because there are currently no government regulatory fees associated with VoIP phones. Another great thing about VoIP service is that it can be taken anywhere. When you are making calls over the Internet it doesn't matter where you are as long as you have a broadband Internet connection and can access your VoIP software.

What Features Does VoIP Service Come With?

VoIP phones come with all of the usual feature that we have come to expect from traditional land line companies. This includes caller ID, call waiting, 3-way calling, conference calls, voicemail, call blocking, 411 directory assistance, last number re-dial, call forwarding, E911 service, and much more. VoIP also comes with several features that we are not use to seeing with traditional service. One neat feature is the ability to have your voice mails sent to you as an attachment through email. This is a pretty simple feature but creates and easy way to keep up with voicemail messages while checking your email.

What Are The Disadvantages of VoIP?

One disadvantage of VoIP service is a lack of 911 emergency services as compared to what you get with a standard land line. Luckily technological advancements have allowed for an E911 service that is comparable to what you get with a regular land line. Another disadvantage is the possibility of not being able to use your VoIP service when there is a power outage. In most cases this seems to be of little concern because nearly everybody has a cell phone that could be used if a power outage occurs.

What Equipment Is Needed For VoIP Service?

First and foremost you will need a broadband Internet connection. Beside that the only equipment that is usually needed in order to setup VoIP service is either an analog telephone adapter (ATA) or VoIP phone. All you have to do is hook up the ATA to your modem and telephone and then your VoIP phone line will be directly linked to your normal telephone. You will also need the VoIP software that will be supplied by your service provider if you want to use your computer for calls.

What Is The Difference Between Local, Long Distance,and International VoIP Calling?

In most cases these days you get free local and long distance calling with your VoIP service provider. Most, if not all VoIP providers charge for international calling but the rate in generally a lot cheaper than what you would expect to pay if you had a traditional land line.

VoIP Phone Service: Residential, Business, Telephony

Are you looking to make the switch to VoIP phone service or interested in seeing what this new technology is all about? Do you want to know how much it costs and if it is a good idea to switch from your traditional land line to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)?

If so then you have found the right place. Below you will find several links that will provide you with the information that you are looking for regarding VoIP technology, the best VoIP providers, VoIP service reviews, and more. However, before we get to the links here is a quick word regarding VoIP telephone services.

VoIP phone service has become increasingly popular over the past several years. VoIP service is a technology that allows voice communications to be routed over an IP network such as the Internet, through a gateway of sorts. It has been providing clients with service since 2004 and its popularity has increased rapidly primarily because it is a cheap alternative to traditional land line telephoney services.

Some advantages of VoIP services include its cost and portability. If you subscribe to a VoIP service you generally pay a small monthly fee and then get unlimited free calls. These calls usually include both local and long distance calls at no extra charge and only a small fee for international calls. As far as portability goes, with a VoIP system you can make calls anywhere as long as you have your internet phone or headset and can login to your VoIP account. Besides these advantages VoIP software also allows for most of the basic features that people are use to getting with a traditional land line.

Some of the disadvantages of VoIP service include service during power outages, emergency call capabilities, sound quality. With a traditional land line you can continue to use your phone during a power outage but with VoIP service this can't be done. You can continue to use your VoIP service as long as you have an Internet connection to your computer (if you are making direct computer calls) but once your modem dies you will be out of luck and not be able to make calls. As far as emergency calls go, with a VoIP service, there currently isn't a reliable way to trace calls to their immediate location in case the caller wasn't able to talk. This problem is currently being addressed and providers or hopeful that some sort of technology will be develop soon in order to eliminate this issue. The sound quality of most VoIP services is lower than that of an old school landline but sound quality is rapidly improving on VoIP networks as technological advances are made.

All of the VoIP service providers that we have reviewed are nationwide companies and are considered to be the best service providers out there. When trying to decide on a provider for your VoIP phone we highly recommend that you read our reviews and educate yourself on the quality of service, customer service, and sound quality of each provider in order to be sure you choose on that you will be happy with. Prices vary widely so it is also important to choose a provider that charges a reasonable price.

Some of the VoIP telephony service providers we will be taking a look at include magic Jack, Vonage, vocalocity, 8x8, Lingo, PhonePower, ITP, inTalk, Net2Phone, and many more.

If you have any questions about the VoIP information that we have provided please leave us a comment and we will do our best to answer your questions.

VoIP Phone Service: Residential, Business, Telephony

Are you looking to make the switch to VoIP phone service or interested in seeing what this new technology is all about? Do you want to know how much it costs and if it is a good idea to switch from your traditional land line to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)?

If so then you have found the right place. Below you will find several links that will provide you with the information that you are looking for regarding VoIP technology, the best VoIP providers, VoIP service reviews, and more. However, before we get to the links here is a quick word regarding VoIP telephone services.

VoIP phone service has become increasingly popular over the past several years. VoIP service is a technology that allows voice communications to be routed over an IP network such as the Internet, through a gateway of sorts. It has been providing clients with service since 2004 and its popularity has increased rapidly primarily because it is a cheap alternative to traditional land line telephoney services.

Some advantages of VoIP services include its cost and portability. If you subscribe to a VoIP service you generally pay a small monthly fee and then get unlimited free calls. These calls usually include both local and long distance calls at no extra charge and only a small fee for international calls. As far as portability goes, with a VoIP system you can make calls anywhere as long as you have your internet phone or headset and can login to your VoIP account. Besides these advantages VoIP software also allows for most of the basic features that people are use to getting with a traditional land line.

Some of the disadvantages of VoIP service include service during power outages, emergency call capabilities, sound quality. With a traditional land line you can continue to use your phone during a power outage but with VoIP service this can't be done. You can continue to use your VoIP service as long as you have an Internet connection to your computer (if you are making direct computer calls) but once your modem dies you will be out of luck and not be able to make calls. As far as emergency calls go, with a VoIP service, there currently isn't a reliable way to trace calls to their immediate location in case the caller wasn't able to talk. This problem is currently being addressed and providers or hopeful that some sort of technology will be develop soon in order to eliminate this issue. The sound quality of most VoIP services is lower than that of an old school landline but sound quality is rapidly improving on VoIP networks as technological advances are made.

All of the VoIP service providers that we have reviewed are nationwide companies and are considered to be the best service providers out there. When trying to decide on a provider for your VoIP phone we highly recommend that you read our reviews and educate yourself on the quality of service, customer service, and sound quality of each provider in order to be sure you choose on that you will be happy with. Prices vary widely so it is also important to choose a provider that charges a reasonable price.

Some of the VoIP telephony service providers we will be taking a look at include magic Jack, Vonage, vocalocity, 8x8, Lingo, PhonePower, ITP, inTalk, Net2Phone, and many more.

If you have any questions about the VoIP information that we have provided please leave us a comment and we will do our best to answer your questions.