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Christian InTech Articles - VOIP
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Free VoIP
Free VoIP
Free VoIP is here now, are you prepared for this service? In a
matter of minutes you could be set-up and making calls with your
free Voip service. Voip is the future for telecommunication, its
taking the internet and business...
Getting Connected to VOIP in Ten Easy Steps
Here are ten easy steps for going wireless with VoIP.
1. You will need an updated computer.
First you will need to have an upgraded computer that is
compatible with VoIP software. When you are comparing and
choosing service providers,...
History of the Telephone - From Bell to VoIP and Beyond
Everyone knows the story of Alexander Graham Bell inventing the telephone. There’s the story of Bell’s first words, “Mr. Watson, come here, I want to see you,” that’s indelibly printed on our brains from childhood. However, what some don’t know is...
How VoIP phones work
Long distance phone calls will never be the same again thanks to
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). The basic premise for this
technology is to convert analog audio signals into digital data
for transmission over the Internet, a technique which...
USB Phones For VOIP & Internet Chatting
USB Phones for VOIP or Internet Chatting
The last couple of years have seen phenomenal growth in VOIP or
voice over internet protocol. You can now talk to your friend or
family member either down the street or half way around the
world by...
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VoIP Small Business/Home Business Advantage
Small businesses, home-based businesses, and self-employed
individuals have been turning to internet telephone service
(also called broadband phone or VOIP) in droves. What is the
attraction? As a self-employed, telecommuting,
small-business-owning freelance writer, I can provide some
insight.
I switched my business to internet phones early in 2005. Despite
a few hiccups, I'm not going back to landlines. Internet phone
service has too many advantages, which I'll describe for you. I
also have some tips for avoiding possible rough patches.
VOIP Internet Phone Small Business and SOHO Advantages
VOIP Advantage No. 1: Look bigger.
* If your small business has to seem large, a virtual PBX with a
dial-by-name directory might help. These systems cost thousands
to install. But many VOIP companies let you rent this service
for less than a hundred dollars a month.
* Give each member of your team their own outside line. With
most VOIP companies, each line costs around $10.
* Get one or more 1-800 numbers at around $10/month.
VOIP Advantage No 2. Freedom of movement.
* Freedom to travel. When I went to Sacramento to visit a
friend, I ended up extending my stay to a whole month. I
couldn't have done that without regular phone access. With VOIP,
my Massachusetts number follows me wherever I go.
* Tropical adventures. I regularly work with a virtual assistant
company that takes phone calls on their Quebec phone number
everyday. That wouldn't be so strange except they're in the
Philippines. They're using the same small business VOIP phone
service sold right here in North America. True, VOIP companies
don't generally guarantee their services will work outside the
country of purchase. But the internet is the internet, whether
in Fargo or the South Pacific. With the growth of broadband to
virtually every non-pariah nation on earth, your second office
really could be in a tropical paradise--or year-round ski
resort. Isn't that the freedom you hoped being your own boss
would bring?
* Telecommuting. Feel a cold coming? Work from home! With VOIP,
even the receptionist may be able to telecommute!
* Voicemail by email. You don't have to be by the phone to get
voicemail. This is the perfect service for busy people and email
addicts. Bonus: the message (in a file similar those used on MP3
players) can be stored
indefinitely.
Internet Phone Advantage 3. Cost
* Make lots of calls? Many VOIP providers' unlimited-calling
plans cost just $20 to $80 a month.
* Features such as call waiting, caller ID, hold, call
forwarding, and multiple ring-to numbers are usually costly
extras with landline service. With most VOIP services, those are
built-in features.
SOHO VOIP: Tips for Making it Work for Your Business
SOHO VOIP Tip 1. Test internet phoning out before committing.
Yes, some VOIP connections are so scratchy and patchy they sound
like cell phones. That's usually because of a problem in the
internet connection. Such problems may not be apparent in
ordinary web browsing and file downloading. Go with a service
that has a 30-day money-back guarantee. Try VOIP out where you
live and work. Make sure to try inbound and outbound calls.
Small Business Internet Phone Tip 2. Phoning from a laptop.
With VOIP telephones, you don't need a computer. But you can use
your computer as a phone. A piece of software called a
"softphone" uses your computer's speakers and microphone. If
your laptop is running too many programs at once, calls will
deteriorate. Higher-end laptops shouldn't have this problem.
SOHO Internet Phones Tip 3. Go with an established VOIP company.
You don't want to lose your telephone service and possibly your
number. Yet only a few VOIP companies have roots before 2000.
Choose a service with deep enough roots to survive a VOIP
industry shake-out.
Small Biz Internet Phoning Tip 4. Choose a provider carefully
before putting the number on your business cards.
Switching VOIP companies is at least as much of a pain as
switching landline phone companies. In fact, there is typically
no outward number-portability. You can bring a number in, but
good luck taking it with you. Researching in early 2005, I found
no nationwide VOIP services officially offering outward number
portability.
Choose a VOIP provider with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Test
the service out thoroughly. One thing is likely: you may want to
switch VOIP providers, but you won't want to go back to
landline.
About the author:
Joel Walsh, freelance writer and small business owner,
recommends you check out Packet8, an established: VOIP service povider:
http://www.packet8.net
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