VoIP Solutions

The VoIP solutions available to you can be reduced to three basic alternatives.

1. Using a Analog Telephone Adapter (ATA) and your regular phone.
2. Computer to Computer calling using a microphone and earpiece (headset)
3. Computer to Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN)

These options require the use of a broadband internet connection. When reviewing VoIP solutions you need to understand how you will use VoIP to choose the best alternative.

1. Using an Analog Telephone Adapter (ATA) along with you current phone

This type of VoIP solution requires you to select a VoIP service provider that will charge a monthly fee ranging on average from $20 to $30 per month for a residential service plan. Normally the ATA is supplied free by the VoIP provider on sign-up.

The ATA provides the necessary hardware and software to convert your analog voice signal into compressed digital data. This allows you to keep your costs down by using your current phone either wired or wireless. An ATA is also portable and can be hooked up to any broadband connection. Carrying around an ATA can be cumbersome. If you need the portability you may want to consider purchasing a IP phone. Just plug it into your PC and receive calls anywhere you have a high speed internet connection.

The people who receive your ATA calls do not need any special equipment. They just answer their phone as they normally do.

If you are looking to replace your current PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) phone service going with a VoIP service provider is most likely your best VoIP solution. There are many VoIP providers that offer many types of service packages. Many plans offer unlimited long-distance VoIP solutions. Most VoIP providers also offer free features like caller ID, three way calling, call waiting, call forwarding and voicemail. PSTN phone service normally charges for these features but VoIP providers includes them as part of their basic plans.

The best way for you determine what is the best VoIP solution for you is to decide what type of calling you will be doing with your VoIP service. Will you be making a lot of international calls or calls within the US and Canada only? If you plan to make a lot of international calls you have to decide between a flat rate unlimited usage plan or a pay per minute plan. How do you decide? A general guide is to determine if the cost of your calls per month exceeds the flat rate charges by at least 25%. If it does then it would be worth getting an unlimited calls package based on a flat rate.

If most of your calls are within the US and Canada then selecting a VoIP provider with a flat rate monthly plan for US and Canada calling may be your best option. Identify where more than 50% of your calls originate and terminate to, and you will understand the best VoIP solution for you.

When evaluating a VoIP solution you must also decide what features are necessary for you. If you are planning to cancel your PSTN service you need to understand the issues with VoIP compared to your PSTN service and factor them into your decision making process.

There are many VoIP providers which create competition among them. This is good news for you because you should be able to identify the best VoIP solution that meets your needs at a very good price. So you want to shop around and compare providers features and pricing as much as possible. To compare VoIP providers features and prices side by side see compare VoIP service.

You also want to read as many reviews as possible on the internet or ask your friends. To look at customer reviews of VoIP providers see VoIP Provider reviews.

Also make sure the VoIP provider you choose provides a money back guarantee just in case your not happy after trying it out.

Service and reliability is another important if not the primary factor when choosing a VoIP service provider. Reliability much of the time depends on your broadband connection. Always try to find out how much bandwidth is required for a particular VoIP solution. You can do this by contacting the VoIP provider, check their website or you can use this helpful tool to check your 'broadband speed'. In general you will need 128 kbps on the upload side to support one VoIP phone.

You may also wish to keep your existing phone number when signing up for VoIP service. This may be possible if the VoIP service provider offers local phone numbers in your city. Not all providers offer this service so if it is important to keep your number, be sure to find a provider that does this. You may want to try the service first before moving your current phone number just to make sure you are happy with the service.

Using an IP phone instead of your current analog phone/ATA combination.

An IP phone has the ADA functionality built into the phone. With an IP phone it is more convenient for taking advantage of many of the extra features that are included free with your VoIP service such as caller ID, call forwarding, voicemail notification and many others. You can still use these feature with your ATA but it may require some additional configuring of your VoIP account.

There are many IP phone available today ranging from simple residential phones to complex PBX phone systems for business use. However, even the basic phones have LCD display for caller ID and is also used for phone configuration. Speakerphones, headset interfaces, programmable keys are features available in the advanced IP phones.

For a list of IP phones and their reviews go to Amazon.com.

All the extra features of VoIP service are available with both IP phones and ATA.

For reviews of the top VoIP Service Providers see 'Best VoIP Solutions: Top Service Providers'.

2. Computer to Computer calling using a microphone and earpiece (headset)

All you need is a sound card, a headset with a microphone and earphone and the vendors VoIP software. If you need a headset see headset reviews. To review four top pick headsets click here.

Another option would be to use a Internet telephone that plugs into your USB port or sound card port.

Computer to computer calls normally require both parties to have the same vendors software installed to make a connection. This will most likely change in the future with emerging internet protocol.

The way you make a PC to PC call is by selecting the user you want to call from a distribution list on a pop-up interface on your computer. If that person is on-line they will see a popup box notifying them that you want to talk. They may also hear a ring tone. The other party can click to accept or disconnect the call.

Soft phone service is the simplest VoIP solution and can be used anywhere where a high speed internet connection is available.

3. Computer to Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN)

To make a call you just enter the phone number on the onscreen keypad on your computer. This software is supplied by your VoIP provider. If you are using an internet phone just enter the phone number as you would on a regular phone.

Some VoIP services also allows you to receive calls on you PC. They do this by providing you with a local phone number. When someone dials your local phone number the call will be routed to your PC no matter where you are located. For example if you have a local Atlanta, GA phone number, calls from people in Atlanta will be treated as a local phone call no matter where you are located. However, someone calling your Atlanta phone from outside the local calling area will have to pay the long-distance charges that apply.

Therefore you should select a phone number where most of you incoming calls are originating from to allow people who are calling you to keep their expense to a minimum.