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VOIP - Changing The Way We Communicate Online!
by Michael Russell Platinum Quality
Author
It’s pronounced voy-ip and comes under a variety of names
including; IP telephony, internet telephony, broadband phone and voice
broadband. Yes, it’s VOIP also known as voice over the internet protocol. It’s
the newest technology for managing voice conversations over the internet and
it’s sweeping the world.
The benefits are numerous beginning with more autonomy and mobility for call
center agents who can now work from anywhere with a broadband connection.
Another benefit is that so long as you have internet access you can receive
calls anywhere in the world. This means that the technology is independent of
geographical location. Imagine making sales calls from a Virgin Mega Store in
Sydney, or better yet from your own home. Also imagine video conferencing with
no sound lag, while still being able to answer other incoming calls. All of
these scenarios are possible with this new technology and its improving
everyday.
Since 2004, VOIP has been mass marketed over many broadband networks. It has
been advertised as allowing users to have full phone services with inbound and
outbound calls over the internet. The largest marketers are even offering
unlimited calling to certain areas for flat fees. You’ve probably seen
advertisements by companies such as Vonage or AT&T claiming the benefits of
online calling and it’s mostly true. With the advent of VOIP you can potentially
bundle all of your services with one large media provider. For example, AT&T is
willing to bundle broadband internet, cable television and “internet phone” for
reduced prices.
INC and Entrepreneur magazines have claimed VOIP to be one of the greatest cost
cutting tools for bootstrapping entrepreneurs. These savvy opportunists who wish
to appear professional for a fraction of the cost of a traditional switchboard
can do so through this new technology. Certain companies are in fact promoting
virtual VOIP PBXs (private branch exchanges) allowing online voicemail, which is
then forwarded to your email as an mp3 or texted to your cell phone. Even small
businesses can use VOIP to setup multiple extensions under one phone line.
Regardless of its great service and benefits, there are some challenges facing
this new technology. VOIP can only be used most effectively over a broadband
internet connection and requires a power adapter. Consequently, in times of
power failures VOIP cannot be used. Along with this there is news that
occasionally certain emergency calls to 9-1-1 have been misrouted. In addition
faxes and other telephone based equipment such as home security systems require
phone lines and for now are not accessible over VOIP. Essentially, VOIP is best
used as complementary system rather than as an exclusive communications tool.
As internet phone usage continues to expand and services improve you could
potentially save quite a bit of money for yourself and your small business,
while enjoying the perks of making unlimited calls from anywhere in the globe.
If you are interested in setting up VOIP there are several very large companies
worth researching. Including; AT&T, Broadvoice, Broadvox, Lingo, Paket 8,
Verizon, Voiceglo, VoicePulse and Vonage. Starting rates vary from company to
company but typically range between $20.00 and $35.00 per month.
Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to
VOIP
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell
Michael Russell - EzineArticles Expert Author |
