The Single Most Important Thing to Know About Computer Phones (VoIP)

Filed under:Better Telecommunication — posted on January 31, 2008 @ 6:18 pm

Over 90% of computer phones (VoIP) are not secure because they use a public known codex (publicly known encryption of sound packets) and a publicly known protocol to transport voice conversations. Therefore, users of these type of services are unknowingly exposing themselves to anyone who wants to listen in or access their confidential information. In addition, because of the public openness, the user’s computer’s vulnerability can result in a costly computer crash and total loss of all information.

Peer-to-peer computer phones are on unsecure lines.

There are five areas to address when checking for Security when looking for a VoIP Service Provider. Here’s how a VoIP Service should protect your security, whether on dial-up, wireless, satellite, or cable connections.

1. Call Security: A VoIP service’s audio (your voice) should compress your voice into proprietary encryption packets to travel across the internet, and return back to voice at destination. That particular VoIP service should host proprietary software, and as such, the only one that can interpret the voice and data contained in those packets.

2. Computer Phone Identity: When your first download and install a VoIP provider’s computer phone, a confidential phone number and password should be given to protect against unauthorized installation. To protect against unauthorized installation, your computer phone’s setup process should combine the phone name and hardware data from the PC on which it was installed to create a unique ID string known only to that VoIP’s own server. Because of the association between the unique ID with that particular PC, it prevents one person from reconfiguring their VoIP service’s computer phone to spoof another. It also prevents someone from copying that VoIP service’s software to another PC and then using it without having gone through the password-protected installation process.

3. Client Server Model: The VoIP service should follow a client-server model. The client is the softphone offered by a particular VoIP service. That particular VoIP service’s Server should be behind a highly secure proprietary firewall hosted in a professional facility. Any information shared should therefore only be between the client and server of that particular VoIP service. This means, that unlike some peer-to-peer solutions, private information about “buddy” lists or call patterns, etc., remains entirely confidential.

4. Softphone Setup: Firewalls vary widely and each network configuration may be quite different. When a VoIP service’s softphone first initializes, it discovers its ability to reach that VoIP’s service server, as well as a variety of ports and protocols for placing calls, depending on the results of its discovery. In a strict environment, the VoIP service’s softphone uses the same path the proprietary firewall already permits for web browsing (typically TCP ports 80 and 443). This allows users to make calls from anywhere without compromising or reconfiguring their own firewalls.

The VoIP service’s softphone should be able to initiate conversations with that VoIP service’s server and keep the server updated as to its status. By doing this, no public IP address needs to be setup for the PC running the computer phone. It also enables user flexibility without concern about security or privacy when moving from network to network. The VoIP service’s computer phone should be compatible with Network Address Translation (NAT) and Port Address Translation (PAT), and the kind of dynamic addressing that is found in wireless “hotspots”, hotel internet access, and dial-up.

5. Monitoring Capability: A strong security model should include an auditing mechanism to monitor usage and activity. This means that each computer phone should include its own usage log, enabling users to look through their own personal history of inbound, outbound, and missed calls. In addition, the VoIP service’s website should provide users the ability to view all individual phone call charges using the already set up confidential number and password.

Dee Scrip and her close friend Andy Murray operate the website http://www.whypay4calls.com. Where you can experience a 7 day free trial with a secure line on patented technology. NO contracts, obligations, or hassles!

VegaStream - VoIP & Emergency Services

Filed under:Better Telecommunication — posted on January 19, 2008 @ 7:32 pm

VoIP and Geographic Location

The emergency services have come to rely on certain features of the traditional telephone system to enable them to do their jobs and to safeguard against misuse of the general public’s privilege to call them night or day. The key feature is the Caller Line Indication (CLI). This is a number unique to every telephone line attached to the public network and it is possible to trace the location of the telephone that made a call from the CLI.

The CLI enables fire and ambulance services to locate where they are needed should the caller be unable to tell them; they may be too young, old or infirm to do so. The CLI enables the police and security services to locate the source of criminal use by using the telephone network. Meanwhile location can be ascertained on the mobile network through tracing the call to the base station to which the mobile phone is connected.

On the other hand, an IP telephone is recognised not by a CLI, but by its IP address which as no geographic meaning. Indeed one of the advantages of VoIP is that wherever in the world an IP phone connects to the Internet, the Internet will find it to deliver the call. Given this, the emergency services will have no idea from where the call originates.

Currently, most VoIP solutions carry calls between company locations and calls to the public telephone network are made via a gateway, such as those provided by VegaStream. In this scenario, the problem for identifying the location of a phone is similar to that faced when a company uses a traditional PBX solution, although most responsible companies have implemented an appropriate solution by mapping their IP phone addresses to a traditional list of extensions.

VoIP systems can connect to the public telephone network via Internet Telephone Service Providers (ITSP). ITSPs offer significant reduction in call charges by carrying what are the expensive elements of the phone call over the Internet.

For example, an ITSP customer’s call from London to Edinburgh is carried from London to a local switch in Edinburgh via the Internet. Just the final leg of the call is made over the traditional telephone network. As far as the CLI is concerned, the call is being made from the local switch in Edinburgh to the end-point, while the actual origin of the call is completely unknown. If the ITSP customer were simply calling the local fire brigade, the call would travel over the Internet to the ITSP who would then make the connection to the emergency service from its own public network gateway. From a CLI perspective, the call to the emergency service would appear to come from the ITSP.

VoIP and Power

The traditional telephone network is self powered. If the general power supply goes down as it often does in an emergency, the phone system will still work as the phone companies have extensive uninterruptible power supply (UPS) contingencies. VoIP systems require an external power source, and if the power fails, unless the user has implemented their own UPS solution, the phones will not work.

The Immediate Solution

To ensure emergency cover, VoIP system users, at this time, need the contingency of at least one traditional telephone line. VegaStream gateways’ feature a pass-through facility which can be programmed to automatically make and receive calls over this line in the event of power failure. The gateway can also be programmed to automatically route 999 emergency calls over this line to ensure the emergency services receive the vital CLI information.

The Long Term Solution

There are a number of national, supranational and industry wide initiatives to establish and implement standards for geographic recognition of IP telephony equipment to meet the requirements of the emergency services. The large national phone companies that are in the process of converting their traditional phone networks to VoIP are actively involved as they too have a vested interest. Furthermore, in the enterprise space, responsible systems integrators will ensure that CLI information is available both to assist the emergency services and to meet basic requirements of good citizenship and good business.

Further information on the latest VoIP products news and for specific questions on VoIP and the Emergency Services, contact us at www.vegastream.com.

Formed in 1998, VegaStream is one of the most experienced players in the industrial VoIP market. The company supplies gateway CPE to both traditional telecommunications carriers and the new generation of Internet telephony service providers. VegaStream also serves the enterprise market through a global network of distributors and resellers supported by regional offices in the UK, USA and Australia. VegaStream is a non-listed UK company. Investors include the management team, Pace Micro Technology PLC and MTI Partners.

http://www.vegastream.com

What Is VoIP Security?

Filed under:Better Telecommunication — posted on October 11, 2007 @ 8:54 pm

Security is an obvious concern when it comes to any sort of technology, but even more so with any technology that is run through the Internet. Because VoIP runs through the Internet any information can be intercepted by anyone at any time. Because many things go through phone line, private information can wind up in the hands of the wrong person. Obviously, nothing is a one hundred percent guarantee because as fast as technology is made to keep information from getting in the wrong hands, the wrong hands are working to figure out how to break through those systems. Luckily, VoIP security is becoming more and more well rounded all the time and soon it’ll be so well done that even the best of the best won’t be back to get their hands on personal information.

One of the ways that most VoIP providers secure their customers personal information is through the tunneling and encryption process. These techniques keep hackers and those will ill intent from capturing information packets as they pass through the internet. Most VoIP providers use Layer 2 tunneling and an encryption method called Secure Sockets Layer or SSL to keep anyone from getting into the information they shouldn’t have. The security of VoIP will undoubtedly change and become more sophisticated as technology allows and consumers demand more security and more privacy. For some time to come VoIP security will remain a huge concern, just because it’s widely known that all information that passes over the internet could potentially fall into the hands of someone with ill intent.

Don’t let VoIP security issues keep you from getting VoIP services. The benefits of VoIP far outweigh the security risks. The bottom line is that you are more at risk every time you get online sending emails and paying bills than you will be every time you use your VoIP services. So, the features and convenience are well worth the small security risk associated with the internet access associated with it!

Laura Rupert is a freelance writer who contributes to The Tech FAQ

The Skype Approach to VoIP - A Review of Skype

Filed under:Better Telecommunication — posted on October 3, 2007 @ 2:04 pm

With internet usage reaching almost every country, and economic class, and with its permeation throughout the western world, applications designed to harness its potential in ever more practical ways are constantly arising. One such application is Voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP), which continues to challenge its own limitations. There are a few leading players who are jostling for supremacy, including Yahoo! Messenger, MSN Messenger, Skype, and Vonage.

Recently, there have been many converts to Skype, including this reviewer. There are several factors that have influenced my own personal move, but my primary motivations were innovation, quality, and marketability. VoIP has always been an application that is easily marketable, and Skype has added innovative features that are quality-rich:

• SkypeOut, where you can use your computer to call ordinary phone numbers all over the world. The global SkypeOut rate is currently 1.7 Euro Cent (about 2 US cents or 1.1 pence) per minute to more than 20 countries.

• SkypeIn, which is a virtual phone number your friends can call. This is in beta testing at the time of writing this review, but the 12-month subscription is available for € 30 and 3 months for € 10.

• Skype Voicemail, which lets you redirect calls to your voicemail, is available at € 5 for 3 months or € 15 for the year.

However, the most widespread application of Skype is PC-to-PC calls. Any user can make free calls over the Internet to anyone else who also has Skype. It is a simple wizard-based process to download and use the application, and works via your broadband connection with operating systems based on Microsoft Windows, Mac, Linux, and Pocket PCs. All you need is a PC microphone and speakers or a basic USB headset, and what you get is a real-time, telephone-quality voice conversation with any PC end-user in the world. I found the downloading to be extremely simple and straightforward and imagine that anyone, no matter your computer fluency will find it easy as well.

In addition to its ease of setup, the features of Skype are really impressive. There is a facility to search the Skype database, so that you are able to build a list of contacts. We have used Skype for Windows 1.4 for a PC-to-PC conversation between Los Angeles and Mumbai (India), and there was no recorded break in the half-hour call. The clarity was definitely on par with a normal telephone, perhaps even better, with no noticeable time lag. On subsequent calls between these destinations and other US cities including Chicago, the quality continues to amaze us, and the fact that Skype works in most environments, irrespective of firewalls or NAT, widens its reach.

So, what’s the downside? A comparative analysis will help clarify the situation. For a start, Skype does not offer as many calling features as other service providers like Vonage. Then, there have been question marks about the technical/customer support offered by Skype. Another point where Skype loses out is the quality of the SkypeOut package, where the calls made to landlines are of inconsistent quality. One hopes that Skype can add video chat to its repertoire in the near future, which will place Skype on an equal standing with other free VoIP providers like Yahoo! Messenger and MSN Messenger, which already have video capabilities. Skype is undoubtedly ahead of both MSN and Yahoo in terms of voice quality and the real-time conversation experience. On the other side of the spectrum, Vonage offers feature-rich services and better customer service, although all this comes at a price.

My Overall Assessment: Vonage is a better option than Skype for traditional telephone users because Skype is totally computer-dependent and caters to consumers who are “living out of their computers.”

The future has a lot to offer, and undoubtedly Skype will move forward in its evolutionary process, and hopefully improve SkypeOut and emerge successfully out of beta testing for SkypeIn. However, for the moment, Skype is arguably the best option for free PC-to-PC calls. Skype says that the “current focus is to make the best voice-application on the planet”—judging from user feedback around the world, Skype has already gone a long distance towards that objective.

Hamesh Brown enjoys writing about VoIP. See http://www.voipreviewsonline.com/2005/10/skype_review_1.html for another Skype review.

Your Regular Telephone Line or VOIP Phone Service?

Filed under:Better Telecommunication — posted on September 20, 2007 @ 7:12 pm

A mother from Miami, Florida has a son who is currently studying for his business administration degree at the University of North Carolina. She usually communicates to her son through their regular home telephone line.

Although she is willing to spend money just to check on her son at the university, she is now complaining about the high rates that the local Miami telephone company is imposing on long distance voice calls. Instead of communicating with her son regularly, she manages now to call twice in a month to save her money.

If you are just like that mother who wants to have a regular communication with her son but having a hard time budgeting her telephone bills, then VOIP phone service is the right one for you.

What is with the VOIP that will help you gain more savings? To start with, let us differentiate this new phone service from your regular telephone line.

The traditional landline phone you are currently using can be operated through the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). A private network reaches into your home through the standard phone jacks attached in your wall.

Now, the VOIP or the Voice over Internet Protocol allows you to make calls by connecting your phone set to the Internet over your modem (cable or DSL). You will be using the ATA or the analog telephone adapter plugged into your broadband modem. This will convert the electric pulses from your phone into Internet Protocol packets that pass through the Internet.

These are now digital signals (against the analog signals from your regular telephone lines) that your phone will be converting into a much clearer and better voice reproduction quality.

To have a clearer picture, this is how it works. For instance, you dial your friend’s number using VOIP phone service. Then he picked up the phone and say “Hello.” Now, that voice converts into the aforementioned electric pulses and transmits it into the IP packets. Before it reached your earpiece, these pulses are again converted into the original voice and you will now be hearing his voice.

However, the conversion is quite complex, rest assured that this phone system uses the secure and reliable transmission of data from one end to another.

Now, what makes it advantageous over the regular telephone line? The point here is that the VOIP phone service is much cheaper.

If you will heard a phone service provider that will advertise that their unlimited local and long distance call packages can be availed for as low as $20 a month, and then they are using VOIP phone system.

Another is that some of the features of the regular telephone line are free of charge in the VOIP phone service. Broadband service provider offers features such as call waiting, caller identification, speed dialing, conference calls and others free.

All you have to do is to subscribe to a VOIP phone service provider. You must have a personal computer, a reliable Internet connection (if your Internet service cuts off occasionally, so as your phone service), a modem, the analog telephone adaptor, and a phone set. Then you are now ready to say “Hi” and “Hello” to your friends and relatives without anymore thinking the cost of your call to them.

If you are still undecided, here is a cue for you to consider—monthly subscription of $70 excluding long distance and international calls, or $20 worth of all the type of calls that you want, including other voice call features? It is now your choice.

Bob Hett has extensively covered the VoIP Service Provider industry as an analyst and has researched the various companies for factors based on price, reliability, support and overall quality. Learn more at VOIP Phone Service.

VoIP - More Basic than a Basic How To

Filed under:Better Telecommunication — posted on September 9, 2007 @ 8:13 pm

Have you not even heard the expression VoIP or Voice over internet protocol. It provides the ability to make phone calls over the internet at very low cost or even free. But what is it all about and how do you use it?

VoIP has several different ways in which it can be utilized. The first method is known as a softphone which basically means you download some software from a provider like Skype or VoipStunt, connect up a headset, set up the account and away you go. In other articles I have written I have provided comparisons of several providers including Skype, VoipStunt and Vonage.

The second method of making phone calls over the internet is by having an account with a VoIP provider such as Vonage or Skype (or Engin in Australia) and utilizing a piece of hardware known as an ATA or Analog Telephone Adaptor. This connects to your internet connection through an Ethernet connection to your ADSL or cable modem and allows connection of a standard telephone being normal, cordless or DECT. Often you can also connect a fax.

Methods of Operation
There are varying methods of operation. You may only wish to make outgoing calls through VoIP which means you will not need a ‘normal’ type phone number. If you wish to receive incoming calls from landline telephones, ie the caller isn’t calling over the internet using VoIP, you will need to have that service ability with your provider and a number to go with it.

It is possible that you can retain your fixed line and have both VoIP and normal PSTN to the ATA which will mean both will ring at the same time. Additionally if there is a blackout or power failure you can still connect to the PSTN.

You will need to review your providers conditions to work out costs of calling outside of the VoIP network. In many cases this can still be free or very low cost indeed, including overseas calls. Often there is a flat rate for local and long distance calls but again this varies from Voip provider to provider. As mentioned earlier, previous articles I have written compare some of the services offered by the larger VoIP players.

There is an issue to consider around emergency calls. Skype and VoipStunt openly include in their terms and conditions that they do not provide access to emergency services calls. For this reason they are realistically utilized as a second phone service. However certainly in Australia, Engin provide access to emergency services through the triple zero 000 emergency number. Many people now have mobile phones so access to emergency services is much more available anyway.

Equipment
From earlier in the article you can see that equipment needed and relevant costs can vary from a headset, to an ATA or analog telephone adaptor. These are not overly expensive and often available for free or cheap when joining a VoIP provider. A google search or visit to eBay will provide ability to get updated on current costs however it does not cost a fortune to commence accessing cheap or free phone calls.

Summary
This article has looks at the absolute basics of VoIP and how to get started. Further articles, information about VoIP products can be accessed by reading previous articles I have written.

The Author has an Associate Diploma in Electronic Engineering. For further information, books or VoIP items, please visit All About Voice Over Internet Protocol.

Does Voice Over IP Telephony Spell the End for Traditional Telephones?

Filed under:Better Telecommunication — posted on September 5, 2007 @ 12:41 pm

Just What is Voice Over IP Telephony?

Voice over Internet Telephony is technology that means you can hold telephone calls over the Internet or an IP network. It eliminates the need for having separate lines for your Internet connection and dedicated voice transfer lines. There are many advantages to VoIP but because it is still an advancing technology you need to shop around to find the best deal. No cumbersome circuit switching is required and there is no depletion in the bandwidth associated with normal dual line systems. VoIP protocol means that voice data is only sent over the network when it needs to be, freeing up that bandwidth when you aren’t making ‘calls’.

What are the Advantages of VoIP.

Voice over Internet Telephony isn’t widely used in office networks, let alone in the home, however if you make international phone calls then you are probably being routed through IP infrastructure because of the lower costs of calls. What this does mean, though, is that the infrastructure is quite obviously already in place and anyone who chooses can do so easily. This means that you can ‘call’ friends, family or associates using your own VoIP without the need for them to have the same technology installed.

The costs are phone calls that are reduced dramatically by using VoIP and once the infrastructure is in place there are usually little or no additional infrastructure charges required making it a cost effective and affordable telephony solution.

Because VoIP is a new technology you get the usual advantages of employing a new technology; increased technological advances and new technologies are employed meaning you get a state of the art system. Telecommunications providers have been regularly using IP networks to transfer voice data and so most of the teething problems have been thoroughly investigated and ironed out and all the advancements made have been integrated into a system you can have installed in your home, office or business.

You don’t necessarily have to transmit your calls over the Internet, and for more secure calls you can use private IP networks. For this reason many large businesses already have IP systems in place making inter-business calls much cheaper.

Electronic numbering makes it possible to dial traditional E 164 phone numbers connected entirely by your Internet connection. This means that you won’t face any call charges whatsoever, and all you will have to pay will be the cost of your Internet connection.

Is VoIP available for me to use now?

Companies like Vonage, VoicePulse and Packet8 are already offering flat monthly fees for their VoIP services meaning you can call anywhere in the country (sometimes even to other selected countries around the world) and only ever pay one flat monthly fee.

Vonage offer a service for $24.99 a month that allows you to call anywhere in the US or Canada. They also offer similar plans for small businesses.

Are there any disadvantages to VoIP?

VoIP, as a technology, is still in it’s infancy and new developments are being found every day. However, there are limitations to the service and the technology which need to be addresses before it can become a complete replacement for your standard phone line.

Because the Internet knows no geographic boundaries it means that, for example, calling the emergency services would not necessarily put you through to your local emergency dispatch centre.

In addition, you can’t send or receive faxes and you can’t route traditional modems, alarm systems or satellite systems through your VoIP connection, because they require access to a voice grade phone line. For the moment VoIP is a compliment to your traditional phone line, rather than a replacement, until these problems can be ironed out.

Summary

The advent of the Internet and improved telephone technology has seen the introduction of VoIP. It means you can make phone calls through your broadband connection; this in turn means that for a set monthly fee you can call anywhere in your country and selected international countries for as long as required and only pay one flat monthly fee.

The advantages of VoIP are still significant for homes and business users alike. Big businesses are already saving substantial money by installing IP networks and using VoIP protocol to transfer voice data. This essentially makes the calls themselves free, only having to pay for the Internet connection and the monthly VoIP fee.

VoIP looks like it’s here to stay. As the technology rolls out, it’s impact can only become greater.

© 2005 Nick Carter

Nick Carter is editor for http://www.voice-over-ip-insider.com, a key web resource for VOIP information.

Consumer Review on CallWave Call Alert Service

Filed under:Better Telecommunication — posted on September 2, 2007 @ 9:31 am

Missing phone calls while you are online?

Are you thinking of getting a private fax number for your business?

Can’t afford an extra phone lines for your business?

If you answer ‘yes’ for any one of the questions above, then CallWave might be what you are looking for. CallWave internet calls alert system is specially dedicated to all the internet users, cell phone users, and business owners. It is definately a smart solutions for those who faced the problems above and I am going to tell you why here.

When you download CallWave (within 3 minutes), you will be having these features instantly

No extra phone line needed.

*Answer calls directly from your PC.
*Own your personal private phone number.
*Get calls transfer to your cell phone.
*Works perfectly with AOL and ISP account.
*Easy setup + instant download.

Basic CallWave package is free. Also, CallWave is giving 30days free trial on their internet call alert services. CallWave is safe and it’s very easy to be used. You DON’T even need to use your credit card online to purchase CallWave service. 11 millions United States citizens had subscribe to CallWave, you too can have a try on it with the 30 days risk-free trial on ANY one of the CallWave packages.

Besides all those features listed above, CallWave also provide these special features that other call alert services don’t offer.(and this is why i am only recommending CallWave call alert service.)

Your personal CallWave fax number Receive or send fax directly from/ to your email inbox with your personal CallWave Fax number.

CallWave Toll-Free Home Number Save your friends and family’s money by getting a CallWave toll-free home number. No long distance calls cost for people who are calling you anymore!

CallWave Phone Number Your own personal, private CallWave phone number. Enables your friends and family to reach you anywhere, anytime - whether you’re online, on the phone or away from home. Save up your money for setting up an extra phone line.

Telemarketer Blocking Tired with all those telemarketer calls? Get them blocked with CallWave! This feature blocks annoying telemarketer calls and triggers the removal of your phone number from the telemarketer’s automated dialing system.

If you need a demo on CallWave, please visit this page:
http://www.downloadcallwave.com/callwave/callwave-demo.html

Teddy LCc. Internet Webmaster/writer reviewing home appliances and related softwares. To Download CallWave services, please visit his website http://www.downloadcallwave.com

The Need for Modules

Filed under:Better Telecommunication — posted on August 19, 2007 @ 9:44 pm

It happens to every successful business: you installed a shiny new Avaya Partner
Systems network and it worked beautifully. A little too beautifully. Business became
so productive and so efficient that more and more employees had to be hired.
Soon, there weren’t any available lines or extensions. Chaos reigned. Employees had
to share phones, 5 people to a phone. You had to disconnect from the internet so
you could plug in your fax machine.


Company heads spent countless hours in meetings, sending memo after
memo filled with cries for help. Buying another network was suggested by a lower
ranking executive, but he was fired for offering silly, wasteful ideas.


There is an answer though, a solution, a way out from the despair and
misery caused by a fundamental lack of lines and extensions. Modules.



Modules are Quick and Easy


Modules are the key that unlocks the door to providing a phone for every
employee, a port for every computer and fax machine. So expand quickly and with
ease. Sleep soundly knowing you’re picking an efficient, cost effective trunking
option.


The T1 module has two benefits: it adds 16 lines of fractional T1 service
and better utilization of T1 functionality. But why stop at a single module; more
employees equals more lines, and one module only gives you 16 extras.


Purchase multiple modules, and you can create the perfect network,
capable of supporting all your employees. Depending on how you configure them,
the modules can either add up to 19 lines and 44 extensions, or 31 lines and 8
extensions. It’s your choice, based on your needs.



Modules Have Features


Modules have another benefit: they have features. The features are icing
on the network expanding cake. The cake is rich and moist; the flavor is perfectly
balanced without being too heavy. On its own, the cake would be just fine. But the
icing adds a whole new dimension to the cake. A new characteristic that enhances
the overall flavor of the cake. It’s the same way with the modules and features.


They come with advanced telephony capabilities that help increase the
productivity and efficiency: caller ID, send all calls, and 5 party conference call. The
features also boost mobility; Cell Phone Connect and Remote Call Forwarding work
in conjunction allowing you to receive business calls anywhere you go.

Cameron Elliott is an Telephony specialist at avaya voip phone systems where he extols the benefits of Avaya
Phone Systems

Most Underrated Use of VoIP Telephony

Filed under:Better Telecommunication — posted on August 14, 2007 @ 10:26 am

With the proliferation, affordability, and convenience of broadband Internet and cell phone service, customers are foregoing traditional telephone service all together. Having a cell phone instead of a land line seems like a terrific idea. Cell phone customers do not have to be tied down to a location, they can get phone calls from anywhere, and plus they get long-distance included. In theory it seems like a good idea but actually it does not tend to work out as planned. Cell phones were not designed to be used for regular everyday calls while in your home. They were designed as mobile phones and most service plans treat them as such, with outrageous fees for going over the allotted monthly minutes. Most cell phone only customers find they run out of minutes every month and have enormous cell phone bills as a result. So they would be better off having a land line or paying for enormous monthly minutes on their cell phone service. There is a better way.

VoIP phone service is a wonderful way to eliminate the need for expensive, regular telephone service. With a VoIP adapter and VoIP service, customers can use their broadband Internet service and regular telephone to make local and long-distance calls for a low monthly fee. The monthly fee usually includes such typical services as unlimited long-distance, call waiting, caller ID, voicemail, 3-way calling, call forwarding, and other lesser used features that regular telephone companies charge extra. So for a modest monthly fee VoIP customers can have broadband Internet and land line phone services and still afford to keep their cell phone. VoIP saves money by eliminating expensive traditional telephone service and allows cell phone minutes to be used when necessary.

Visit http://www.cleardigitalvoice.com for more information on how to save money with VoIP phone service.

Sol is the owner of ClearDigitalVoice.com, a new VoIP provider for residential and small business customers. http://www.cleardigitalvoice.com


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