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Christian InTech Articles - VOIP
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PC to Phone VoIP over Dial-Up
So you've heard that you can use your computer to make cheap long-distance calls over the Internet. Maybe you've even tried it. Chances are though that if you've attempted VoIP calls over a dial-up connection, you've experienced intermittent...
VoIP Training Center
There's a nice little VoIP training center courtesy of VoIP News anyone interested in VoIP should visit. Actually it's a comprehensive listing and review of training and certification programs offered around the world, online, and in CDs, videos...
VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) - An Overview
You've probably at least heard of the word "VoIP", even if you
didn't quite understand what all the excitement is about. VoIP
stands for "Voice over Internet Protocol" and is going to change
the way you think about making long distance phone...
Ways to Use VoIP Technology
Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP, uses your broadband
internet connection to place phone calls. By converting your
voice (or analog) signal into a digital signal, this makes for a
more efficient way to talk on the phone and can save you...
What Is VoIP and How Does It Work
Introduction The way we make phone calls is changing. In fact in many circumstances things have already changed. Take long distance calls for instance, many service providers are already using a technology called Voice Over IP or VOIP for short. If...
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How to Choose the Right VoIP Service
The Voice-over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service is in a state of
flux, and is still a budding technology that will offer several
new features as it matures. While it is true to say that there
are many providers in the VoIP market with "unique" features of
their own, one factor is common to all: they rely on the
broadband Internet connection and do not bring the traditional
telephone providers into the scheme of things. In the process,
they offer price packages that are substantially lower than the
traditional phone connection. So how do you evaluate one service
provider vis-à-vis another, and then install the connection in
your office or home? What should be your focus in selecting a
specific provider?
Here are a few tips that will assist you in your choice.
Suitability to your specific requirements
For a start, you must weigh the features offered by the leading
providers such as Vonage, Lingo, and Skype, and apply those
features to your specific work environment and requirements. A
service provider might offer the best of features, but they
aren't any good if you cannot use them. If your priority is to
make a large volume of international calls, particularly to
Europe and Asia, Lingo is for you. Lingo is also a good option
if you travel out of the US because you can carry your US number
wherever you go and call the US at local rates. Lingo also comes
with the lowest price for its range of features. Skype is
different from Lingo and Vonage in one important respect: it
does not use a telephone as a go-between. While the Skype
outgoing and incoming calls to/from a normal telephone is still
to fan out in terms of dependability, Skype is the best option
if you and your computer are inseparable and you have friends
and family who are similarly inclined. For PC-to-PC calls, Skype
is the best voice portal, and there is no price tag attached.
Voice quality and reliability
If your first priority is consistently good call quality, and
you don't mind paying a bit more, consider Vonage. Vonage comes
with almost identical features as Lingo, but there is minimal
in-call lag and echo experience. With Lingo, be prepared to
sacrifice on the quality of calls. In the
competitive
marketplace, each service provider promises the best of service
and voice quality, and you cannot be sure about the product. If
you are investing in a monthly/quarterly/annual contract, it is
best to settle for a package that has a money-back guarantee
behind it. Both Vonage and Lingo offer trial periods.
Installation complicacies
You also need to consider how easy--or how difficult--it is to
install the service, both as a business option and for home use.
For a single user, the process is not half as complicated as for
multiple users in an office environment. You must be sure that
the saving you make from an economically viable service is not
offset by the installation costs. For example, you must keep in
mind that in an office environment, the VoIP usage will put
additional stress on your broadband connection, and you might
have to invest in increasing your Internet capability.
Broadband connectivity issues
Remember that VoIP needs broadband connectivity to be
functional. Prior to reaching a final decision on a VoIP
package, you need to do a bit of research on the bandwidth that
the service requires, and then ensure that your Internet service
provider is able to match up. If you face regular power or
Internet outages, you may end up paying for a service you cannot
put to optimal use. In such situations, it is always advisable
to retain your traditional phone line as a backup.
Flexibility to opt out
VoIP is still in a nascent stage, and the future may bring in
new providers with richer services. Therefore, it is important
not to get into a long-term contract or commitment with any
service provider; keep the flexibility-to-switch option with
you.
Internet telephony is the future, and even some traditional
telephone service providers have conceded this by initiating
VoIP packages of their own. The choices are many, and growing.
As the user, it is finally up to you to use the right package to
your best advantage.
About the author:
Hamesh Brown enjoys writing about VoIP. For more information,
see this review of VoIP service.
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