VoIP46228

Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) service offers two types of telephone communication over the Internet: computer to computer and telephone to telephone. The most popular VOIP services are telephone to telephone communication. A telephone adapter is plugged into a DSL or cable modem and then into an analog telephone.

Recent developments in VOIP service are the wireless fidelity (WiFi) phones. WiFi phones send out signals like cell phones but on a different frequency (Wilson); the s5A8ignals are intercepted and routed to the Internet.

WiFi phones were first developed for limited network communication. For example, employees within a large office building could communicate with each other over their own network without being tied to their desk phones. More recently, WiFi phones have expanded beyond the boundaries of a limited network to include the largest network in the world: the Internet.

Cellular phone manufacturers have jumped on the bandwagon to develop phones that will work both as a WiFi and cellular phonecalled dual mode hybrids. A hybrid user traveling outside their cellular service can switch to VOIP.

Early versions were fraught with problems such as hybrid users having to manually switch from cell phone service to VOIP service. In addition, there has been limited wireless service areascalled hot spots. However, access to hotspots is on the increase and some manufacturers have already released improved versions of dual mode hybrids that will automatically switch from cellular mode to VOIP mode when a hybrid user has traveled out of cellular range without disrupting a call.

Cellular companies are also looking to cash in by making their systems compatible with VOIP service and possibly offering both cellular and VOIP service in one package.

WiFi phones for VOIP are a relatively new development. As with all new advancements in technology, the bugs will have to be58A worked out but progress in WiFi technology is being made at a fast pace. Soon VOIP may not just take over the market from phone company giants but from cellular phone companies as well.

References:

Wilson, Tracy V. How WiFi Phones Work. How Stuff Works, Retrieved 06/19/06, from http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/wifi-phone.htm

Simon, Ellen (May 14, 2004). WiFi Phones Wave of The Future. CBS News SCI-TECH, Retrieved June 22, 2006, from http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/05/13/tech/main617354.shtml

Charny, Ben (August 5, 2004). WiFi Phones Make a Splash. CNET News.com, Retrieved June 22, 2006, from http://news.com.com/Wi-Fi+phones+make+a+splash/2100-7351_3-5296745.html

// posted by voip40591 @ 10:44 PM 0 comments

Bluetooth

For those of you not familiar with the term, Bluetooth refers to a wireless protocol (or set of rules) designed for short range electronic applications (usually less than 30 feet in distance). Although the technology has been around for several years, Bluetooth support for PC users has been limited due to hardware manufacturers focusing on the more traditional 802.11 wireless network protocols (wifi). In reality, Bluetooth and wifi achieve different purposes and each has its pros and cons.

Cellular Telephone Bluetooth Headsets

The cellular telephone community has long embraced Bluetooth technology, developing and refining numerous wireless devices. One of the more popular Bluetooth applications for cellular telephones has been cordless headsets which enable users to leave their telephone in their bag or pocket while still being able to make and receive calls. Bluetooth headsets are generally very lightweight, worn over one ear and achieve talk times from 1-4 hours before needing a recharge.

Bluetooth PC Headset?

So if cellular telephone users have warmly embraced Bluetooth headsets, why not the PC community? At the time of writing, this author knows of no PC hardware manufacturer who has designed a Bluetooth Headset primarily for use with a PC. However, there is nothing to prevent a PC user from using a cel5A8lular phone Bluetooth Headset with their PC. Keep in mind though, these headsets were originally envisioned for cellular phone use and may need a bit of tweaking before theyll perform as well as corded headsets on your computer.

USB Bluetooth Adapter

Unless you own a relatively expensive notebook PC, odds are that your computer doesnt natively support the Bluetooth protocol. If this is the case, youll need an Adapter or Dongle in order to make your computer Bluetooth enabled. Bluetooth adapters are generally very small (a few inches long) and insert into a vacant USB port on your computer. When purchasing an adapter its critical that you buy one that supports the headset protocol. The headset protocol is merely a set of rules which enables your Bluetooth adapter to communicate with and make use of Bluetooth headsets in its vicinity. If your adapter does not support the headset protocol, no amount of tweaking will get your headset working with your PC. Adapters generally run between $20 - $80 USD and can be purchased at most PC retailers.

Buying a Bluetooth Headset

Bluetooth headsets for cellular phones are generally very expensive when compared with conventional corded PC headsets. Depending on where you buy your headset, you could spend anywhere from $20 to $200+ USD. If youre looking for a relatively i5A8nexpensive headset thatll simply enable you to make wireless VoIP calls using your PC, I recommend looking on Ebay. Although prices vary considerably on Ebay between merchants for similar products, overall they are considerably less expensive than purchasing the same headset from a telephone store. A word of caution about Ebay though; ensure that you read the fine print associated with shipping costs. Some Ebay merchants advertise Bluetooth Headsets for $5 USD however the real cost quickly rises to $35+ when you account for their often exorbitant shipping charges.

Pairing the Headset with your PC

Once your computer is Bluetooth enabled and youve obtained a Bluetooth headset, youll need to pair the headset with your computer in order to use it for VoIP applications. This is usually just a matter of setting your headset in discovery mode and allowing your PC to search or discover Bluetooth devices. The steps needed to enable discovery mode on your headset and adapter will vary between devices and should be clearly explained in the documentation accompanying your devices.

Adjusting your Audio Settings

Depending on your hardware and operating system, you may need to make adjustments to your audio settings after the headset is paired with your PC. In the Windows operating system, this will involve accessing Audio Prop5A8erties through the Control Panel and setting the audio and voice devices to your newly paired Bluetooth headset. Again, adjusting these settings should be covered in the documentation accompanying both your headset and Bluetooth adapter.

Once youre up and running, youll wonder why you didnt adopt this wireless headset solution sooner. The freedom to wander away from your computer whilst maintaining voice over Internet conversations is something youll come to appreciate and love.

// posted by voip40591 @ 10:36 PM 0 comments

Making Voice over Internet Protocol calls over the Internet is very simple and really is an advantageous stand-in to conventional landline telephones or mobile phones. It is not a new concept for internet users and was not much used, as VoIP required broadband Internet and broadband is been increasingly used just starting form few years ago and has is becoming a prevalent activity among broadband users.

Why should you use VoIP?

The imperative thing about VoIP is the reduced cost comparing to call cost made over conventional telephone. Calls made within VoIP users are free even in case of international calls because you already pay for your regular internet usage. You may not need any additional equipment for this but require a headphone.

In addition, voice over broadband of 1Mbps onwards offers you the fine quality, better than that of a landline telephone call. The voice quality is generally adequate even if it is an ISDN line or a dialup line.

How does VoIP work?

A mature internet user knows the complex usage of internet, typically sending/receiving emails, audio/video and software downloads are few out of it. Making phone calls over internet is one another use of the internet and it is by VoIP.

A headphone will work in place of a conventional telephone and the only difference is how5A8 the conversation is carried from and to in between. The outline is same, no matter what type of broadband you have, ADSL, cable, wireless or satellite broadband.

The most striking offer of VoIP is that you can make free international calls anytime, to anyone who is a VoIP user too. But it does stop here. Still if you want to use VoIP to call folks who are not VoIP featured, just go and have your gateway service that act as a bridge between VoIP user and the conventional telephone users.

By its basic nature, VoIP allows communication among VoIP users only and in general, this is adequate for many. But for those have VoIP and still want to call a conventional telephone user, can have the PSTN gateway services to connect and call a conventional telephone user. In such case, you can look for a VoIP phone in place of headphone.

VoIP Make Your Calls, Straight Forward

It is simple to call using VoIP. A widely used free phone or messaging software and a headphone will do this. Have them and install it to your broadband setup.

If you are habitual to call people who use different softwares from yours, you need mutli-software installation and most of them are available as free downloads. MSN Messenger, Yahoo Messenger and ICQ are few of these free softwares.

VoIP handsets and their adapters fairly replace your headphone, making your talking experience enjoyable and are generally cal544led, IP phone. Dual-purpose phones for calling both VoIP as well as conventional phone user avoid the existence of two phones and this make your calling experience, imaginative.

Broadband users who make regular calls to other broadband users can pick VoIP for two factors, cost and comfort. For those who make a lot of long-distance and international calls particularly, overseas calls, VoIP nearly replace the regular telephone usage.

For business people, VoIP is a sensible alternative. Business users can benefit from significant saving on calls via VoIP. Business houses, operating from international locations can make extensive use of VoIP. What other than that of making calling to your customers and suppliers for free or at slashed rate is going to be your better business thought.

You can compare all major cheap broadband suppliers and get broadband offers if you shop around and earn cash from cash back from a reward site.

// posted by voip40591 @ 7:58 PM 0 comments

VoIP. Its the four-letter word youve heard of, read about, and may have overlooked until now. As VoIPs consumer popularity hit an all-time high in 2006 reaching more than 7 million subscribers in the United States alone businesses of all sizes were forced to sit up and take notice. With possible cost savings of up to 40 percent, and the business VoIP industry projected to double by 2010, VoIP is one four-letter word that small and medium-sized business owners5A8 can no longer ignore.

How Does VoIP Work?

What exactly is VoIP and how do you know if its right for your business? VoIP, or Voice over Internet Protocol, allows callers to place phone calls from almost anywhere using a broadband Internet connection. As the acronym implies, VoIP works by transferring voice signals over Internet lines and public/private data networks, rather than traditional analog phone lines.

VoIP calls are placed using ordinary telephones, computers, or special VoIP phones, depending on the service provider and personal preference. VoIP users place calls in the same way they always have, simply by picking up the phone and dialing a number. Those with computer-based service place calls by using a headset or a computer microphone.

VoIP users can place local, long distance, and international calls to any phone number in the world, whether its a land-line, cell phone, or another VoIP user. Like traditional phone service, the only difference in placing a local call and an international call is cost.

Business VoIP Users Enjoy Cost Savings, Increased Flexibility

Today, most business owners switch to business VoIP for two primary reasons significant cost savings and increased productivity. Typical business VoIP telephone system plans offer a low, flat monthly rate for local and long-distance calling. And, international calls typically cost just pennies pe2A3r minute. The result: lower phone bills.

Beyond the bottom line, another feature that appeals to small and medium-sized business owners is the flexibility of business VoIP telephone services. As companies grow and change, business VoIP offers the ability to easily scale their phone system up or down. Companies that are planning to move offices or add users find business VoIP phone systems to be an effective solution, especially those with multiple employees in different locations.

Of course, one of the primary motivations to switch is the ability to eliminate the hidden fees and complex billing of traditional phone companies and gain more control over th5A8e phone system.

Calling Features Make Users More Productive

Many business VoIP telephone plans provide features such as three-way calling, voice mail and caller ID, at no additional charge. However, additional VoIP-specific features actually make employees more productive. According to a study conducted by Sage Research, VoIP features save employees an average of up to three hours per week.

These features include: 1) integration of voice mail and faxes with your e-mail system, 2) remote office features that allow satellite offices to function as part of the main office, 3) auto-attendant systems, and 4) call routing to employees regardless of location.

Even with these benefits, VoIP isnt right for every business. For instance, voice quality can vary depending on the Internet connection. If your business uses a dial-up Internet connection, VoIP is probably not for you.

Because some firewall ports must be open in order to allow voice data transmission, another common issue is network security fears. The reality: it is often easier to tap in to a physical phone line than a digital line. And, listening in on VoIP transmissions is nearly impossible if the proper network security precautions are taken.

How to Make the Switch

Switching to business VoIP has never been easier. More provider options are available today than59E ever before, and cost of service and equipment is falling. Of course, savvy business owners must do their homework to find the right service, features, and provider.

To help find information and help make the decision, business owners can use comparison resources like http://www.VoipReview.org, a shopping and comparison source for residential and business VoIP phone service, for information about plans, features, and prices. The site even allows users to purchase VoIP service directly from providers after finding their provider of choice.

To determine how VoIP-ready your company is today, visit our site to test your Internet connection and determine how many phone lines your connection can support.

As it quickly becomes the modern standard in business, theres no question that VoIP is the future of phoning. The only question is: when will your company join the revolution?

// posted by voip40591 @ 7:46 PM 0 comments

The field of telecommunications is almost constantly in a state of rapid change and that is certainly true today as VoIP technology continues to grow in both quality and popularity. VoIP actually stands for Voice over Internet Protocol, and it is a way of transferring telephone calls across the internet to a distant computer or telephone without the use of your local telephone company.

A very good way to sample VoIP technology is through using instant messaging programs such as Yahoo Messenger, MSN Messenger, and AOL Messenger. All of these programs allow you to use a microphone and a set of speakers connected to your computer to make free PC to PC audio calls. For those instant messaging programs that also include video and allow for more than two people to be connected at any one time, you can even hold your own internet video conference easily and inexpensively thanks to VoIP technology.

All you have to do is download one of these above mentioned programs free of charge, install it on your computer, and connect up your microphone and speakers, to be able to sample this technology and see if you like it or5A8 not. If you do, and chances are that you will, you can then sign up for a VoIP subscription plan with one of the major VoIP providers to let you take full advantage of all of the features that VoIP has to offer.

One of the big advantages of VoIP subscription plans is their minimal cost when compared to local telephone companies. When you start shopping these plans you'll see a large difference in cost between them and what you pay for your telephone service now, and that is no doubt the most attractive feature of VoIP technology to most consumers.

However, there are a few drawbacks to using VoIP for telephone communications that you should also be aware of. First of all, you will most likely need a high speed internet connection in order to get the best results when using a VoIP application or program. It can be done on a dial-up connection, but your results can be very spotty and inconsistent, sometimes even downright frustrating. On a high speed connection though, you should experience voice quality that very closely rivals that of land line telephones.

One other consideration is that it can be difficult to call 911 using a VoIP program if you don't know where you are. 911 operators are unable to perform a trace on calls that originate from an IP telephone or computer, so there would be no way to locate the caller if they cannot identify exactly where they are. However, VoIP providers are currently work55Cing on this problem and hope to have a solution soon.

As you can see, there are both advantages and disadvantages to using VoIP technology for your telephone communications. By being aware of both the pros and cons, you should be able to make an informed decision about whether or not VoIP will work for you.

// posted by voip40591 @ 4:47 PM 0 comments

Introduction

Lawful Intercept (LI) is a requirement placed upon service providers to provide legally sanctioned official access to private communications. In the existing Public Telephone Network, Lawful Intercept is performed by applying a physical tap on the telephone line of the target in response to a warrant from a Law Enforcement Agency (LEA). However, Voice over IP (VoIP) has enabled the mobility of the end-user, so it is no longer possible to guarantee the interception of calls based on tapping a physical line.

Whilst the detailed requirements for LI may differ from one jurisdiction to another, the general requirements are the same. The LI system must provide transparent interception of specified traffic only and the subject must not be aware of the interception. The service provided to other users must not be affected during interception.

Architecture Overview

Although the detail of LI may vary from country to country we can describe the general requirements and also explain much of the common terminology used. The primary purpose of the service provider network is to enable private communications between individuals; any LI functionality built into the network must not affect the normal service to those individuals. The interfaces between the PTN and the Law Enforcement Monitoring Facility (LEMF5A0) are standardised within a particular territory.

LI deals with two products, these are:

• Contents of Communications (CC): exactly what it sounds like, the voice, video or message contents.
• Intercept Related Information (IRI): information about the source and destination of the call etc.

European requirements are often based on the ETSI standards. In North America CALEA (Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act) requires operators to provide LI capabilities. The network architecture and handover specifications are based on the PacketCable surveillance model, however the architectures are very similar.

Basic Elements of LI in a Public Telecom Network

There are three primary elements required within the public network to achieve Lawful Intercept, these are:

• An Internal Intercept Function (IIF) located in the network nodes.
• A Mediation Function (MF) between the PTN and LEMF.
• An Administration Function (ADMF) to manage orders for interception in the PTN.

Internal Intercept Function (IIF) These functions are located within the network nodes and are responsible for generating the Intercept Related Information (IRI) and Contents of Communications (CC).

Mediation Function (MF) This function clearly delineates the PTN from the LEMF. It communicates with the IIFs using Internal Network Interfaces (INIs) whic5A0h can be proprietary. The MF communicates to one or more LEMFs through locally standardized interfaces: the Handover Interfaces (HI2 and HI3).

Administration Function (ADMF) This function handles the serving of interception orders and communicates with the IIFs and MF though an Internal Network Interface.

Implementing LI within an VoIP Network

One of the primary problems faced when managing VoIP calls is the separation of the signalling and media streams. It is quite possible that the two streams may take completely different paths through the network. In addition, even when they do pass through the same device, it may not be aware of the relationship between the streams. Some devices within the network are however specifically designed to understand and manage the separate signalling and media streams session border controllers. Typically located at the borders of the network, they receive Intercept Related Information from the signalling stream and Contents of Communication directly from the media stream.

Conclusion

It has become clear that VoIP services will be expected to provide Lawful Intercept capabilities to the same level experienced in the PSTN. The FCC in North America has mandated that both emergency calls and Lawful Intercept must be available. Whilst not all countries mandate this capability, any network operator building a publicly available v59Doice or multimedia over IP service today will need to plan a network which is flexible enough to implement these regulatory services in the future.

Terminology

ADMFAdministration Function

CALEACommunications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act

CCContents of Communication

ETSIEuropean Telecommunications Standards Institute

HI Handover Interface

IIFInternal Intercept Function

INIInternal Networks Interface

IRI Intercept Related Information

LEA Law Enforcement Agency

LEMF Law Enforcement Monitoring Facility

LI Lawful Interception

MFMediation Function

PSTNPublic Switched Telephone Network

PTNPublic Telecom Network

VoIPVoice over IP

References

ETSI TS 101 332 v1.1.1 (2001-08) Telecommunications security; Lawful Interception (LI) Requirements of Law Enforcement Agencies ETSI TR 101 943 V1.1.1 (2001-07) Telecommunications security; Lawful Interception (LI); Concepts of Interception in a Generic Network Architecture

ETSI TS 101 671 V2.8.1 (2003-11) Telecommunications security; Lawful Interception (LI); Handover interface for the lawful interception of telecommunications traffic

PKT-SP-ESP1.5-I01-050128; PacketCable 1.5 Specifications; Electronic Surveillance

Further information on Lawful Intercept can be found in the 469White Papers directory at Newport Networks

Dave Gladwin works for Newport Networks and has worked in the telecoms sector for 25 years and VoIP for the last 10 years. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dave_Gladwin

// posted by voip40591 @ 4:37 PM 0 comments

It is no secret that communica5A8tion is key to survival for small business. The advantage to small busineses of using a VoIP solution is that the market is very competitive. While there are relatively few companies from which to choose for normal phone service, many VoIP providers will gladly offer VoIP phone service at a very competitive rate and with unlimited long distance.

But....you need to do your homework first.

Phone service features indispensable to your business, such as voicemail, conferencing and call waiting, allow business to flow smoothly and efficiently. So....how do you decide if a VoIP solution is best for your business?

One of the first steps when analyzing your current service is to decide what features your business needs. Does it need multiple lines to accommodate the sales force? What about a toll free number for customer service? Make a list of all the features your office uses and think about others you might want to try.

The next step is to make an estimate of all intrastate (in- state), interstate (state-to-state) and international calls. An easy way to estimate these numbers is to view a recent phone bill. You might be surprised at how large or small your call volume actually is. If you rely heavily on fax machines, consider the number of incoming and outgoing faxes. As you review these numbers, remember to consult growth projections for the rest of the year.

Once you've done all this...you're read5A8y to go comparison shopping.

Here's some resources to help you do that:

* VoIP Comparison Reviews

VoIPReview does a good job comparing feature sets from each of the providers. Its user reviews seem a bit skewed, but otherwise the site looks good.

* ZDNet Reviews

ZDNet usually has objective reviews. Read through its commentary on any of the providers you are considering.

* Broadband Reports

Broadband reports has a specific area for review by users...with a regularly updated scoring system. It's often skewed with a tad bit of emotion....and reviews are mostly residential. But it does give you an idea for business use.

* Google

I'm sure most of you already do this, but once you've figured out what you're looking for, perform a search on companies on Google to see what others have said about it.

If you're willing to do a bit more work, contact various providers and create your own comparison chart. You can begin your research by visiting voipreview.org. The site offers VoIP facts and reviews of various broadband phone service providers. Compare the business plans fo5A8r different providers and research the various features offered with each plan. Also, make sure your current Internet connection can handle VoIP calls. The Web site testyourvoip.com will evaluate and score your Internet connection. You'll know if it makes sense to run your phone traffic over your broadband connection.

Here is a list and description of the top ten (supposedly) VoIP providers (includes home plans for telecommuter staff).

- Axvoice

Axvoice has many plans for you to sign up. Unlimited call to USA/Canada plan costs $ 18.99 per month. Unlimited international & USA/Canada plan costs $29.99. Axvoice also has business plan starting from $ 39.99 per month.

- INVIVNI

INVIVNI has three plans, Residentials, Small Office, and Business. The Residential plan costs $24.95 per month. The Small Office plan costs $32.95 per month, and the Business plan costs is negotiable.

- VCInetwork

VCInetwork has three plans, Unlimited Long Distance :Home, Unlimited Long Distance: Business and 500 minutes to USA/Canada and Europe. Unlimited Long Distance : Home plan costs $28.95 per month. Unlimited Long Distance : Business plan costs $49.95 per month and 500 minutes to USA/Canada and Europe plan costs $14.50 per month.

- Skype

Skype is famous for their slogan, The Whole World can Talk for Free. Skype is a free download and 5A8users can make free calls via, Skype to Skype. For a fee, you can advance your Skype to Skype Out and make calls to landline phones. Skype In will let your choose your area code and phone number. This way, friends and relatives can call you locally, if you select the same area code. Skype is compatible with Windows, Mac, Linux, and Pocket Pc operating systems. Not really a good business solution.

- Vonage

Probably the most well known VoIP providers, you may be surprised to discover that Vonage is also one of the more expensive providers. Vonage offers two plans, residential and small business. Residential users may choose between the Basic 500 plan and Unlimited. The Basic 500 plan offers 500 minutes of talk time for $14.99 a month. The Premium Unlimited residential plan costs $24.99 per month.

The Small Business Basic plan costs $39.99 per month and allows 1500 minutes. The Small Business Unlimited plan costs $49.99 a month and provides unlimited calls throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada.

- Dialpad

Dialpad and Yahoo have merged services. Currently, Dialpad offers three plans- Dialpad Monthly 300, Dialpad Monthly 500, and Dialpad USA. The cost for Dialpad Monthly 300 is $7.50 per month, Dialpad Monthly 500 costs $9.99 per month, and Dialpad USA costs $11.99 per month.

- Broadvox Direct

Broadvox Direct offers residential and small business services. Their residential5A8 services include the Residential Choice Plus plan for $9.95 per month. The Residential Choice Plus plan includes 100 outbound minutes and unlimited incoming minutes. Their Residential Unlimited Plan costs $29.95 a month and includes unlimited calling anywhere in the US and Canada. The SoHo Small Business Regional Plan costs $34.95 per month and includes 1500 monthly minutes in the US and in Canada. The SoHo Small Business Unlimited Plan costs $44.95 per month and includes unlimited calls in the US and Canada and also includes a free fax line and Yellow Page listing.

- Galaxy Voice

Galaxy Voice offers two plans, Residential and Business. Their residential plan costs $19.95 a month and includes unlimited calling, Voicemail, Caller Id, Call Waiting, Call Return, Three Way Calling, and Call Forwarding. Their business plan costs $39.95 per month and includes unlimited calling, Free Voice Mail, Free Call Transfer, Free Call Forwarding, Free Repeat Dialing, and Free Caller ID block.

- Voice Pulse

Voice Pulse has three plans, America Unlimited, Local Unlimited +200, and Business Unlimited. The America Unlimited plan costs $24.99 per month. The Local Unlimited +200 costs $14.99 per month, and the Business Unlimited costs $45.99 per month.

- VoIP American

VoIP American has three different plans. These are the VoIP American PBX plan, the VoIP American Voice plan and the VoIP American bVoice plan. Th5A8e VoIP American PBX plan cost $19.99 a month for a private line and $44.99 a month for unlimited calling. The VoIP Voice Residential Basic plan costs $14.99 per month and the VoIP Voice Residential Unlimited plan costs $29.99 per month. The bVoice Business plan costs $34.99 per month.

- Packet 8

Packet 8 not only offers phone plans, but they also offer videophone plans. Their residential plans are the Freedom International and Freedom Unlimited. Both of these plans cost $19.99 per month. [note: currently they're running a special for $9.95 per month for your 1st 3 months.] The Videophone plan is the Freedom Unlimited and that too is $19.99 per month. Their business plans consists of three different plans. These are the Virtual Office service plans, the Virtual Attendant Service plans, and the Business Phone Service plans. The Virtual office phone plan costs $39.95 per month, the Virtual Attendant service plan costs $14.95 per month, and the Business Attendant service plan costs $34.95 per month.

- Sun Rocket

Sun Rocket offers their signature service for either $24.95 per month or $199.00 per year.

- Speakeasy

Speakeasy offers many different plans ranging from Home Office, Small Office I, Small Office II, and Small Business. Their Home Office plan costs 79.90 per month, the Small Office I plan costs $560.00 per month, the Small Office II plan costs 1,039 per month and the Small Business 59Eplan costs $2,349 per month.

Analyzing phone service is often a real headache. However, unreliable line quality, which results in poor customer service and huge monthly bills are even worse. In the end, doing your research will pay dividends for your business. Personally, I have no reservations recommending Packet8 for your business VoIP solution right now. However, go through the above steps first for your own peace of mind.....you'll likely reach the same conclusion.

// posted by voip40591 @ 3:05 PM 0 comments

In 2004 the terms VoIP, internet phone service and IP phone were foreign to almost everyone except technology professionals and geeky computer types. Now most people I talk with are at least slightly familiar with these terms, as the internet phone service market is now starting to take off. Contrary to what many people believe, VoIP is not a new technology. It was introduced to the public in 1995, by a company called Vocaltec. By using internet phone software, registered users could make phone calls via their computer using a dialup internet connection. I made my first internet phone call in 2000 using my computer, a headset, a dialup internet connection and a free account with Net2Phone. The sound quality was terrible, but it was an absolutely fascinating experience to be making a free long distance call over my computer. Now in 2005, ten years after the first commercial use of VoIP, the technology is finally ready for prime time!

Significant improvements have been made with VoIP in the past five years, and communications companies have started investing heavily in the technology. The quality and reliability of service has improved so much within the past year or so that VoIP is now suitable and reliable enough for everyday residential and business5A8 use. In fact, so much attention is now being given to the continued improvement of VoIP technology that its well on its way to becoming the PREFERRED method of communication by home users and businesses alike.

There were around 1.5 million internet phone users in the USA in 2004, and around 2.1 million today according to Telecommunications Industry News. According to various statistics Ive seen, the number of VoIP users in the United States is projected to be around 17 to 18 million between 2008 and 2010. This in an increase of over 1000% within the next 3 to 5 years! Experts also estimate that by 2007, 75% of long distance calls worldwide will be made via the internet. The US is currently not the biggest user of VoIP technology - there are about 7 million users in Japan out of approximately 12 million worldwide today. The internet phone industry is booming, and will continue to grow over the next decade. It seems that everyone including EBay wants in on the exploding VoIP market now, as evidenced by their purchase of VoIP provider Skype in September 2005.

More people are showing interest in obtaining Internet Phone Service because they are starting to hear more about it. This is due in part to more converted users raving about the amount of money they are saving and the great features they get for free (I love my VoIP service so much I wrote a website about it!). A greater awareness has5A8 also come from increased advertising efforts by major cable and communications companies. Many cable television and phone service companies (like Verizon) have been pouring money into VoIP technology in order to capture some of this new market share.

In an effort to hold on to their customers, many regular PSTN (public switched telephone network) phone companies are now offering unlimited long distance calling for a flat monthly fee of around $39 per month. Current subscribers are starting to cancel their traditional phone service as they are convinced that VoIP is a better option. Not only is VoIP cheaper (under $25 a month for unlimited calling), but most Internet Phone providers throw in all of the optional features for free. Phone companies charge extra for services like voicemail, caller id and call waiting. I think phone companies have missed the boat when it comes to competing with VoIP, but thats a topic for another article

With all of the telephone service options now available, it is becoming difficult for consumers to choose the right provider for their needs:

Should you subscribe with a true VoIP service service provider (like Vonage, Packet8, SunRocket, Voip.net, etc), or should you choose the phone service that your cable company provides? If you compare VoIP provider rates with those of the cable company, pure VoIP providers are clearly the winner. Cable comp5A6anies do provide free installation, but VoIP is really very simple to install. Many cable companies offer discount through package deals, but its always smart to compare total cost and included features with VoIP providers before making a decision.

Should you switch to VoIP and get rid of your landline phone, or keep what youve got and pay for unlimited long distance calling? If you dont use the internet, keep your landline phone and forget about VoIP for now. To get the most bang for your buck out of VoIP service, you need to have cable internet service. This eliminates the need for a phone line and dial tone that you have to pay the phone company for. To use VoIP in the most cost effective way, calls should go through your cable broadband connection this eliminates the need for standard phone service. VoIP does not work well over dial up internet; you really need broadband in order to get the best audio quality.

Depending on your long distance calling habits, VoIP internet phone service can save you between 20% - 80% per year vs. traditional PSTN phone service. The technology is mature now and the quality of service is great (and getting better all the time). Its hard to beat unlimited local and long distance calling for less than $25 per month, plus you get free voicemail, caller id, call waiting, call return, and all the other features youre used to paying extra for.544

VoIP is definitely here to stay, and cost savings is only one of the many benefits it offers. Internet phones will change the way the world communicates. Its now possible to live in another country and have a US phone number, you can have several virtual phone numbers in different states or travel the world and bring your home phone with you. Its an exciting time in the world of communications are you ready to switch to VoIP?

(c) Copyright 2005, Debbie Jacobsen. All rights reserved.

// posted by voip40591 @ 2:53 PM 0 comments

With the increased adoption of high-speed Internet across the U.S. and abroad, it has become much easier to send and receive large amounts of data without affecting bandwidth. What this means for 5A8consumers is that they can now download huge files quickly, browse multiple web pages simultaneously, and even make telephone calls over the Internet; an emerging technology known as VoIP.

VoIP stands for "Voice over Internet Protocol " and it is quite simply a way of using the Internet to make and receive telephone calls. The primary reason VoIP is becoming so popular is cost and convenience; as VoIP is significantly less expensive than typical local and long distance telephone service offered by the phone companies. Additionally, one high-speed Internet connection can serve for multiple VoIP telephone lines.

How does VoIP Work?

A normal telephone line would sit there and do nothing if it werent connected to a network called the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network). This is how the traditional phone companies route telephone calls from one person to another. In VOIP service, the PSTN is replaced by the Internet as the network for routing phone calls, and is proven to be faster, more efficient and cost effective.

Using VoIP, a persons voice is transmitted into digital data that is then sliced into small fragments called packets that are sent across the Internet at lightning speed. These packets are then reconstructed and heard on the receiving phone. Sounds like allot going on during a phone conversation, but most people who use VoIP phones dont even know they are making5A8 telephone calls over the Internet; the call quality is that good.

In order for VoIP phone calls to have the same quality that consumers are accustomed to when using traditional phone service, a certain bandwidth (the amount of data that can be sent) is required. Broadband Internet access, either cable or DSL, provides the necessary bandwidth for VoIP phone service to be found acceptable by consumers.

The Features of VoIP

In addition to making high-speed Internet access more cost-effective, VOIP service provides subscribers with significantly cheaper local and long distance telephone service. Most VoIP providers charge between $20 - $25 per month and this includes unlimited calling to the U.S. and Canada.

Additionally, all the features that traditional phone companies usually charge for like voicemail, caller id, call waiting; three-way calling, simultaneous ring and the ability to choose your own area code are included in the price.

Another driver for using VoIP is that it is portable. In other words, consumers can take their phone number anywhere they move to; even if it is just on vacation.

// posted by voip40591 @ 2:06 PM 0 comments