VoiP: Say Goodbye to Traditional Telephone Service

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In today's world of instant communication, people can communicate with each other practically anywhere in the world in the blink of an eye. VoiP or "voice over internet protocol," is fast becoming one of the most preferred methods of this lightning fast communication. After over a century of traditional analog telephone communication, computers and digital means of communication have risen to the forefront.

As the digital age has come into its own, traditional telephone service providers have tried to change with the times. In recent years they began offering unlimited long-distance service packages for a set monthly fee.

While being a stark contrast to what long-distance telephone service costs were only ten years ago, these new packages seem "too little too late." Ten years ago one would not have to talk every many hours long-distance to rack up a $300 or $400 dollar bill in a single month.

Several years ago big providers such as AT&T and Qwest began marketing unlimited domestic monthly long-distance service for as little as $29.95. While VoiP has existed for a number of years, only recently has popularity skyrocketed.

VoiP – How Does it Work?

How exactly does VoiP work? It uses an Internet connection to digitally transmit phone calls through cyber-space, to recipients almost anywhere in the world.

Earlier versions of this service were somewhat crude, with few or none of the features available today such as caller ID, call waiting, and call forwarding. Callers would use a headset and microphone hooked up through their computer. A crude program would offer a number dialing feature to make the calls, often by dialing into a toll-free 800 exchange.

Today, callers have total flexibility. They can use a regular telephone interfaced to a computer network, or a headset and microphone plugged into a computer with a dialing software program When using the telephone you will hear a regular dial tone; dial the number as you would using traditional phone service.

Whether for business or residential use, you must sign up for services with a VoiP provider. Providers either assign you with a new phone number – including an area code and seven digit number, or transfer your existing phone number to work with the service.

You can choose almost any area code desired, depending on which provider you select. Some providers do not service all area codes. It would be wise to research providers and what they offer before selecting one. VoiP service varies from state to state; pricing will depend on the VoiP provider and service package selected.

The provider usually has several localities within an area code that act as access points for incoming VoiP calls to your number. Calls that originate from same locality (or prefix code), do not incur long-distance charges.

Cool Features Offered by VoiP

One of the greatest advantages of VoiP is that outgoing calls made using VoiP incur no long distance fees, as long as the call is made within the countries covered by the VoiP service plan selected. Again, guidelines vary greatly between providers, so choose carefully when signing up.

Another cool aspect of choosing your own area code for VoiP phone service is this. Let's say you do a lot of business in a particular locality – like Denver, Colorado – or have family members living there. Say you sign up for a Denver area code (303), and have the VoiP provider assign you a local phone number from that area.

Even if you reside in New York, your calls to Denver or anywhere else in the United States are not counted as long distance. And anyone from your VoiP local calling area will be able to call you without incurring long-distance charges. Even if they live in Denver, Colorado, and you live in New York.

But, it gets even better. Most VoiP providers offer incoming toll-free service packages, as well.

The standard rate between VoiP providers seems to be about $4.95 per month for service. However, there is a monthly minute limit which varies between providers. Additional minutes are still very reasonable at .04 to .05 per minute.

When signing up for a VoiP phone with most providers, users enjoy a high degree of ease doing the set up. For the most part, once service is established and a phone number assigned or transferred it is simple. Users simply plug in the phone and dial. Of course, the computer network must be turned on and connected to the Internet.

Other Considerations

While earlier crude versions of VoiP did not require high-speed or DSL Internet connection, today it is necessary to accommodate features associated with regular telephone service.

A catch-22 is that in order to get the high speed internet, regular telephone service (and the accompanying bill!) is required to bring VoiP into the home or office. The good part is that VoiP still saves you about $10 per month over unlimited long-distance services offered by various traditional phone companies.

A brand new trend is in the works. High speed Internet providers will soon offer service without necessitating a traditional phone line to carry it. This means the consumer will just have to pay for Internet service – not a monthly phone bill.

VoiP – a Money Saving Deal, or What?

What does this mean in regard to saving money?

Most high speed Internet /telephone/DSL television packages are offered for about $99 to $119 per month. This does not include long distance charges, or unlimited long distance packages. These type costs are in addition to the bundle price. This means there can be great ways to save money on your monthly bill by using VoiP.

If you do quite a bit of long distance calling, which is added to your monthly bundle costs, you can save money by adding VoiP.

If all you have is standard phone service, you are probably paying about $50 to $60 per month – not counting long distance charges. If you also have high speed Internet, you are probably paying an additional $35 to $49 per month, for that.

When the stand-alone high speed Internet service becomes available in your locality, you could omit traditional phone service, and pay just $35 to $49 a month for high speed Internet. VoiP service could be added for an extra $16 to $25 per month.

You would then have high speed Internet, phone service with all the current telephone features, such as caller ID, call waiting, call forwarding, voice mail, plus unlimited long-distance. All for an average cost of $55 to $60 a month.

If you own a business and have an Internet/phone package, plus pay for toll-free telephone service, and out-going long distance charges, savings could be substantial using VoiP instead. Hundreds or even thousands of dollars, depending upon the size of your company and traffic of telephone calls, could be saved each month.

Now, aren't you ready to get on the cutting edge of instant, affordable, global communication with VoiP? Start saving today!