Is a VoIP Right for You?

I first heard about a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) about three years ago. There was only one company that provided "land line" phone service in the area where we were living, and I was complaining to some friends about the high  cost. We had a basic phone line with no additional "frills" such as call waiting, caller ID, or voice mail, and we were paying about $35 each month. My neighbors shared the amount of money that they were saving each month by using a VoIP and I decided I needed to find out more. There are a number of factors that should be considered in making an "informed decision" as to whether VoIP service is right for you.

How it Works

In order to utilize a VoIP, you need to have the right equipment. You typically need a broadband Internet connection (essentially, a high speed internet access connection such as DSL or cable); a modem; a phone adapter (different providers typically offer adapters that are specific to their service), and a phone. Using a VoIP is similar to using a regular phone service. All you have to do is pick up the phone to call others (you call anyone who has a phone line) and your phone will ring when a call is calling through. The logistics are a bit different in that the phone adapter converts your voice into data, sends it through your Internet connection, and then converts it back into your phone when the person on the other end picks up the phone.

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