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A Guide to VoIP for Beginners

Filed under: Voip

By: Natalie Aranda

What is VoIP?

VoIP is the acronym of Voice over Internet Protocol. To put it simple, VoIP technology allows you to make phone calls (local, long distance or international) with an Internet connection. What VoIP service provides is the translation of your voice to data packets transmitting over the Internet when you talk, and the translation of data packets conveying the voice messages from other end of the phone to the voice that you can hear when you listen on the phone.

Is VoIP Right for Me?

All VoIP providers charge a flat monthly service fee between $20-$50 dependent on the service provider and the plan. If you make a lot of calls especially expensive international calls, the saving from many minutes of free international calls using VoIP will easily justify the flat fee you paid for VoIP service. If you don't talk often but have a high speed Internet connection already, the choice to sign up with a VoIP service is still justified since you could completely drop the standard local and long distance phone services you use. If you don't talk often on the phone and don't have a high speed or broadband Internet connection, VoIP service is likely more expensive that standard phone service. You'll vae to pay for broadband Internet connection.

What about the Quality of VoIP Service?

The quality of VoIP service rivals traditional telephone service now even though the early VoIP were marked by poor sound quality and connectivity. It has become a mainstream alternative to standard telephone service.

What do I Need to Use VoIP for Phone Call?

All you need is a VoIP router beside a standard phone and an Internet connection, to specific you'll need a high speed Internet connection, such as Cable Modem or DSL (digital subscriber line). You don't have to have a computer to use VoIP for phone call.
If you've heard how difficult to use VoIP, that was then this is now. VoIP technology has matured in last a few years.

How do I Sign up for a VoIP Service?

There're many VoIP providers and a few major players. For instance, Vonage boasts over one million subscribers and offer service in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, United Kingdom and other European countries. Vonage phone continues to offer new services and plans to meet the needs of both business and residential markets. Small businesses could use VoIP as an alternative to 1-800 numbers to cut down the cost of phone bills.

Natalie Aranda writes on technology and the Internet.