VoIP Pros and Cons -
About VoIP Phone Service
Looking to learn more about VoIP and VoIP Pros and Cons?
Internet Voice also known as VoIP phone service (Voice over Internet Protocol), is a technology that allows you to make telephone calls using a broadband Internet connection instead of a regular (or analog) phone line.
Below lists the VoIP Pros and Cons for residential VoIP service and the Pros and Cons for a business VoIP service.
Some services using VoIP may only allow you to call other people using the same service, but others may allow you to call anyone who has a telephone number - including local, long distance, mobile, and international numbers. Also, while some services only work over your computer or a special VoIP phone, other services allow you to use a traditional phone through an adaptor.
How Can I Place a VoIP Call?
Depending on the service, one way to place a VoIP call is to pick up your phone and dial the number, using an adaptor that connects to your existing high-speed Internet connection. The call goes through your local telephone company to a VoIP provider. The phone call goes over the Internet to the called party's local telephone company for the completion of the call. Another way is to use a microphone headset plugged into your computer. The number is placed using the keyboard and is routed through your cable modem.
What Kind of Equipment Do I Need?
A broadband (high speed Internet) connection is required. This can be through a cable modem, or high speed services such as DSL or a local area network. You can hook up an inexpensive microphone to your computer and send your voice through a cable modem or connect a phone directly to a telephone adaptor.
Is there a difference between making a Local Call and a Long Distance Call?
Some VoIP phone service providers offer their services for nothing, normally only for calls to other subscribers to the service. Your VoIP provider may permit you to select an area code different from the area in which you live. This means you may not incur long distance charges if you call a number in your area code regardless of geography. It also means for people who call you may incur long distance charges depending on their area code and service.
Some VoIP phone service providers charge for a long distance call to a number outside your calling area, similar to existing, traditional wireline telephone service. Other VoIP providers permit you to call anywhere at a flat rate for a fixed number of minutes.
If I have VoIP phone service, who can I call?
Depending on your service, you might be limited only to other subscribers to the service, or you may be able to call any phone number, anywhere in the world. The call can be made to a local number, a mobile phone, to a long distance number, or an international number. You may even use the service to speak with more than one person at a time. The person you are calling does not need any special equipment, just a phone.
VoIP Pros and Cons - Residential Service
What Are Some Pros (advantages) of VoIP residential phone service?
Because VoIP is digital, it may offer
features and services
that are not available with a traditional phone. If you have a broadband internet connection, you need not maintain and pay the additional cost for a line just to make telephone calls.
With many VoIP phone service plans you can talk for as long as you want with any person in the world (the requirement is that the other person has an Internet connection). You can also talk with many people at the same time without any additional cost. For
VoIP saving click here.
What Are Some of the Cons (disadvantages) of VoIP phone service?If you are considering replacing your traditional telephone service with VoIP, there are some possible differences:
- Some VoIP services do not work during power outages and the service provider may not offer backup power.
- Not all VoIP services connect directly to emergency services through 9-1-1.
- VoIP phone service providers may or may not offer directory assistance/white page listings.
Can I use my Computer While I talk on the Phone?
Yes
Can I Take My Phone Adapter with me When I Travel?
You may be able to use your VoIP service wherever you travel as long as you have a high speed Internet connection available. In that case it would work the same as from your home or business.
Does my Computer Have to be Turned on?
Not if you are making calls with a phone and adaptor or special VoIP phone, but your broadband Internet connection needs to be active. You can also use your computer while talking on the phone.
How Do I Know If I have a VoIP phone Call?
It will ring like any other call.
Does the FCC Regulate VoIP?
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has worked to create an environment promoting competition and innovation to benefit consumers. Historically, the FCC has not regulated the Internet or the services provided over it. On February 12, 2004, the FCC found that an entirely Internet-based VoIP service was an unregulated information service. On the same day, the FCC began a broader proceeding to examine what its' role should be in this new environment of increased consumer choice and what it can best do to meet its role of safeguarding the public interest.
Some of the above VoIP pros and cons are applicable to not just residential service but to also businesses using VoIP. Below are additional advantages and disadvantages of business VoIP.
VoIP Pros and Cons - Business VoIP
What are some Pros of VoIP business phone service?
With a business VoIP solution there is usually a significant overall savings between 20% to 40%. See
building
a VoIP business case to review an example of the savings. Also with a hosted VoIP business service there is no need to purchase a phone PBX system therefore saving thousands of dollars.
A hosted business VoIP service avoids your system from becoming obsolete. A hosted VoIP provider must keep up with the latest technology and features to stay competitive.
With the additional features such as the ability to work from any locations, email fax and voicemail, conferencing, web email accounts, total call management, there are improved efficiency gains for employees.
Consolidating your broadband and phone services under one invoice is another advantage.
What Are Some of the Cons of a business VoIP service?
To me the only disadvantage is to get the quality of service guarantee you must use the providers broadband network. Sometimes the cost may be a
little higher but not always.
I hope this information is helpful to you in making your decision about VoIP phone service. These VoIP pros and cons may or may not be important to you as an individual or business and will change as this technology becomes more advanced.
Aspects of these considerations may change with new developments in internet technology. You should always check with the service provider you choose to confirm any VoIP Pros and Cons to their service. Click on this link to see a list of additional features that I did not capture them all above in the VoIP Pros and Cons reviews.
VoIP Pros and Cons - VoIP Features.
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