To VOIP or not to VOIP- that is the question!
by: Dottye Blake

I used to love the TV commercials that Vonage, a well-known provider of VOIP or Voice over Internet Protocol telephone service. My favorite one was the one with the rocket that went berserk and flew all over, with people dashing around madly to get out of the way. I watched the wayward rocket totally mesmerized, and then started laughing so hard when the Vonage theme music started playing that I almost fell off the couch! I liked the one where the photographer fell into the fountain, too. I wish Vonage would bring those commercials back- the ones that they show now are so dull in comparison. Most of these ads try to sell their calling services based on how much cheaper they are in comparison to traditional telephoning plans. They also discuss quality and clearness of telephone calls. If you are smart, you have, in all probability, questioned how much of this is honest information and how much is hype.

VOIP or Voice over Internet Protocol is plausibly one of the most radical advances in the telecom industry. It permits you to speak to another person on the other side of the world by employing a digital network connection precisely the same way that you get e-mail or surf internet sites. Due to the fact that your voice is changed into a digital signal, it can be transmitted around the block, on the other side of the country, or around the world for exactly the same price. For VOIP telephone calls, the idea of long distance does not exist. A single basic benefit is its low-price. If you have a fast Internet connection (DSL or cable), you can make computer-to-computer telephone calls anyplace on the globe FREE. Computer-to-phone telephone calls normally have a fee, but are usually still less expensive than typical telephone service. Perks like call forwarding, call waiting, voicemail, caller ID and 3way-calling, are packaged with VOIP telephone service at no additional fee. At the same time you are speaking on the telephone, you can transmit graphics and documents.

VOIP telephoning plans are available in two types; bulk rate pricing and unlimited calling. Bulk rate pricing permits you to receive a monthly ration of minutes to telephone anyone you desire (similar to your cellular telephone ). If you exceed your monthly limit you will receive overage fees. Unlimited calling is precisely the way it is meant- you have no cap on the number of telephone calls you can dial. Limitless telephoning packages start at $35 a month depending on the VOIP service supplier and the extra perks included with your plan. Unless you are making many telephone calls or the limitless telephoning plan is very cheap, bulk rate pricing is normally a more beneficial choice.

Like cellular telephones, VOIP companies permit you to “port” or bring your existing phone number with you into their company. This is very handy since you will not need to advise your friends and family that you have changed your telephone number. Presently there is no law that VOIP suppliers must permit you to take your number with you if you are not satisfied or wish to switch companies. A few of them will, others will bill you an extra charge, and some will refuse to cooperate with your wish. Make sure, then, to take a look at this prior to putting your signature on any contracts.

Another benefit is its flexibility. You can make and get telephone calls as long as you have access to a broadband connection by just logging in to your VOIP account. Because of this factor, using VOIP is as easy as sending e-mail. While you are vacationing, you just take a headset or Internet phone with you; then you can speak to family or colleagues virtually for free.

Phone-to-phone VOIP is also portable. VOIP telephones are pocket-sized and light enough to take anyplace. Once you contract with a VOIP company , the Internet phone or adapter employed by that company is given a unique identification number. This 'phone number' stays valid, even if your VOIP company is in New York and you're connected to the Internet in Tokyo. While connected to a broadband connection, anyplace on the planet, you can make and receive telephone calls just like you were sitting in your own living room .

There are a few bugs that still make a negative impression with VOIP being more popular with the public. Lack of uninterrupted telephone service during power failures and problems with 911 emergency calling make up the 2 largest stumbling blocks.

Traditional telephone service keeps going due to the electric current running through the phone line at the time of a blackout. This is not possible with VOIP telephones. At the same time that the electricity fails, there goes VOIP service. Battery backups and electric generators that furnish power are the present-day answers to this dilemna.

A huge headache involves emergency 911 telephone calls. VOIP services usually aren't useful in emergencies. Traditional telephone gear can trace the locations of telephone calls. Emergency calls are channeled to the closest call center where the operator can distinguish your location, in case you are unable to talk. With VOIP, at this time there is no way to figure out the location from which Internet calls are coming. There is an emerging standard called e911 however, which is trying to resolve this restriction.

VOIP also has voice quality and reliability issues. Data sent through the Internet normally reaches its destination scrambled. E-mail and text files can be reassembled in the proper order when it arrives. Voice data also comes in scrambled, but it's more difficult due to the real-time nature of VOIP. Many data bundles may have to be unloaded when they don't make it in time, in order to make voice connections with the smallest time lag. This can create quick silences in the audio flow.

Space and speed of the connection specify the quantity of data dropped. Many networks get more traffic and therefore are more likely to create audio dropouts. One way to supply superior caliber audio connections is to produce dedicated data routes.

With the unbelievable amount of work committed to VOIP, these bad aspects will certainly be settled within the next 2 years. It is forecast that by then VOIP will be better accepted by consumers far and wide.

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About The Author
Dottye Blake is an Educational Consultant and an Internet Marketer.

Please visit http://www.computingninternet.com/