| The acronym VOIP actually stands for Voice Over | | | | VOIP service providers offer the same features that |
| Internet Protocol and it is gaining popularity on a daily | | | | are available on a regular phone line, but the beauty is |
| basis. In fact, more than a year ago, there were | | | | that most of them offer these features as a |
| more new VOIP phone activations than there were | | | | standard part of the package, instead of charging |
| traditional new phone activations. That is a powerful | | | | extra for them like your phone company. For |
| statement about how well VOIP is working, both for | | | | example, features like voice mail, call waiting, caller ID |
| personal use and business use, and how it is proving | | | | and more are usually standard features with VOIP |
| to be able to save huge amounts of money for | | | | service. |
| people that need to use telephone conversations as | | | | Can you use a wireless phone with VOIP service? |
| a part of their daily routine or business. | | | | Absolutely. Again, just plug the cord from the |
| However, VOIP service is not designed to be "one | | | | wireless phone base unit (the cord you would |
| size fits all". One of the things you need, which the | | | | normally plug into the wall jack for the phone) into |
| VOIP service provider does NOT include with the | | | | the black box provided by the VOIP service. Your |
| service, is a reliable high speed Internet connection. If | | | | wireless phone will work as well as it did with |
| your high speed Internet connection is not reliable or | | | | traditional phone service. |
| is not as fast as required, then VOIP service is not | | | | What about the economics of VOIP service? This is |
| for you. If the only high speed Internet connection | | | | the biggest reason that VOIP is attracting more and |
| you have available to you is satellite, then VOIP is | | | | more customers every day because it is a no brainer. |
| not for you. | | | | Your phone company will give you a phone line with |
| One of the things that is very confusing for | | | | dial tone and no additional features for about $25 per |
| customers is knowing what kind of telephone they | | | | month. That might include unlimited local calling but no |
| need. The answer is that is does not matter. If you | | | | long distance calling. Now contrast that with VOIP, |
| have a telephone handset that works fine as a | | | | where for about the same price or less, you get the |
| traditional phone, you can use that. What the VOIP | | | | feature set listed above, as well as unlimited local |
| carrier will provide with your VOIP service is a "black | | | | calling, as well as unlimited long distance calling |
| box", where you plug your telephone handset into | | | | throughout the continental US. Some VOIP providers |
| one end of it, and plug the other end of it into a jack | | | | also include unlimited long distance calling beyond that, |
| on your high speed Internet connection router. If you | | | | like including Canada and even Puerto Rico. |
| do not have an extra jack on your router, you can | | | | Be sure to do your homework before choosing to go |
| get a small four-port router at some place like Best | | | | with VOIP service, and then compare offerings from |
| Buy or Circuit City for about $30, and then you can | | | | the VOIP providers to find the one that is right for |
| plug your computers and your VOIP phone "black | | | | you. |
| box" into that. | | | | |