What is VOIP?
That's a Good Question. A lot of people have never heard of VOIP and of those who have, a great deal think that Vonage is there only choice. VOIP or Voice Over Internet Protocol (for the technically minded) is simply a way to communicate over the well structured network of the Internet. VOIP Telephone Service Providers offer an alternative to the traditional PSTN or Public Switched Telephone Network. For the past one hundred years there have been a handful of companies that determine how you communicate. As with other forms of communication, the Internet is changing things. VOIP Telephone Service is fully functional, with most including: Operator Assistance, Directory Assistance, and Enhanced 911 service. VOIP also has features that traditional phone service doesn't provide, such as: simultaneous phone ringing, call hunting, and enhanced voicemail features. Even if a service is provided by your landline provider usually they charge extra for call forwarding, call return, and anonymous call rejection. You can even have your current phone number transfered to your VOIP provider.
What are the disadvantages of VOIP?
Voip service can vary depending on the quality of your internet connection. As of yet, there are only a handful of VOIP Providers that are daring enough to offer service over a dialup connection. Dsl and Cable users usually have very little trouble with the quality of their service, but echo and delay can be problems. Most people with cell phones will be used to these problems, but for those who do not use cell phones they may find it annoying when such line interference occurs. I can tell you from personal experience that I have had very little trouble with call quality and in fact have had compliments on the clarity of my phone service.
Feature List and Explanations
| Equip | The Service Comes with Free Equipment |
| e911 | Enhanced 911 Service |
| CallerID | CallerId Service |
| Voicemail | Enhanced Voicemail |
| CallRet | Call Return |
| CallWait | Call Waiting |
| CallFor | Call Forwarding |
| 3 Way | 3 Way Calling |
| SimRing | Ring several phones at the same time |
| CallHunt | Find user on another phone line if they don't pick up |
| Fax | Fax Capability |
| Alarm | Wake up and Reminder Call Service |
All About the VoIP