VoIP Frequently Asked
Questions
What is VoIP?
VoIP
stands for Voice over Internet Protocol.
It allows you to make phone calls
over a data network, such as the internet.
VoIP converts the your voice signal
from your telephone into a digital
signal that travels over the internet
then converts it back at the other
end so that you can speak with anyone
with a regular phone.
What kind of equipment
do I need?
An essential
part of VoIP is a broadband connection,
also knows as a high speed internet
connection. This is required for anyone
who is using a VoIP. This connection
can be found through a cable modem,
or a high speed service such as DSL.
You can either hook a phone up to
your personal computer or you can
connect a phone through the telephone
adaptor.
What is the difference
between making local calls and long
distance calls?
The
difference is dependant upon your
VoIP service provider. Some providers
offer free calls to other subscribers
within your service. Other providers
may charge an additional fee. Some
VoIP providers may charge for long
distance calls, others may have a
flat rate or a fixed number of minutes.
It is all dependant on which plan
you obtain from the VoIP provider.
Your
provider may also allow you to choose
an area code different from the one
in which you live in. This means that
you may not acquire any long distance
charges if you call a number within
your area code. No matter the actual
geographical position in which you
live.
What are the main
advantages of VoIP?
One
of the advantages of VoIP is that
digital phone offers many additional
features that a traditional phone
is not equipped to offer. If you have
a broadband internet connection, there
is no need to pay the additional cost
for a line just to make phone calls
A second
advantage to VoIP is that you can
talk to people around the world for
as long as you want if they have an
Internet connection. Also you can
talk with multiple people at the same
time without any additional cost.
A third
advantage to switching to a VoIP provider
is it may significantly decrease the
cost of your phone bill.
Can I use multiple
phones with my VoIP service?
Yes
you can use multiple phones with your
service. One option you have is some
services allow you to hook your VoIP
connection through your traditional
phone lines running throughout your
house. Another option is to purchase
multiple jack extension to hook up
more than one phone to a single VoIP
line.
Can I keep my existing
phone number?
Yes
you can use multiple phones with your
service. One option you have is some
services allow you to hook your VoIP
connection through your traditional
phone lines running throughout your
house. Another option is to purchase
multiple jack extension to hook up
more than one phone to a single VoIP
line.
Will the VoIP phone
line sound the same as my normal Phone
Number?
Yes.
Millions of dollars have gone into
research and development by VoIP providers
to ensure the best quality service
possible. Providers are making certain
that the phone quality is indistinguishable
from your regular phone line. Most
internet customers are not able to
tell the different between their old
phone lines and their new VoIP phone
lines. Occasionally you may experience
some difficultly with your internet
line because it is based on your internet
connection. This occurrence is extremely
rare and customers usually experience
an extremely small amount of downtime
and interference.
Will VoIP save me
money?
Yes!
You may save a considerable amount
of money over your traditional phone
service. Generally, VoIP is much cheaper
than conventional phone services.
This is because of current government
legislation tends to favors Internet
phone companies over traditional phone
line companies. As technology continues
to grow and become more conventional,
prices are expected to fall. |
