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Avoid Computer Phone Nightmares aka VoIP
Although computer phones, aka VoIP (voice over internet protocol) offer the most optimal means of communicating when considering quality and cost, free computer phones cause countless problems when unsuspecting victims download their “free”...
Voice over IP (VoIP) Features
Because with VOIP you can make calls from anywhere you have access to a broadband connection, users can take their IP phones or ATA’s with them on trips and still have access to what is essentially their home phone. Some people use a softphone to...
VoIP A Global Telecommunications Revolution
It's being advertised as the biggest thing to hit the telecommunications market since the invention of the cellular telephone, but what is VOIP, how does it work and is it really that revolutionary?
VOIP is an acronym for Voice Over Internet...
VOIP Advantages and Disadvantges
Is your phone bill getting out of sight, like ours did? We were disconnected from Verizon, so we looked elsewhere. What we found was Voice-Over-Internet Protocol (VOIP) services through our cable. So far, we have liked the services we have received,...
VOIP Internet Phone and Internet Telephony FAQ
How VoIP / Internet Phone Works VoIP converts the voice signal from your telephone into a digital signal that travels over the Internet. If you are calling a regular phone number, the signal is then converted back at the other end. Internet Voice...
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Getting Connected to VOIP in Ten Easy Steps
Here are ten easy steps for going wireless with VoIP.
1. You will need an updated computer.
First you will need to have an upgraded computer that is
compatible with VoIP software. When you are comparing and
choosing service providers, take special note to see if they run
their programs on Windows, Linux, or MAC OS. If you use Mac or
Linux, don't assume that all VoIP providers will have your needs
in mind. Technology advances everyday, and this includes
processor speeds, hardware, motherboards, memory, and video and
graphic cards. If you have a "dinosaur" of a computer, there is
little chance that VoIP will work with your outdated system. You
can check with the company's requirements regarding their
standards for your computer.
2. You must have High Speed Internet access such as DSL, or
Cable
It is required that you have High Speed Internet before
purchasing VoIP services. There are a handful of companies that
will work with dial up connections, but the standard choice is
High Speed Internet. High Speed Internet connections allow for
the bandwidth needed as well as produce a higher quality audio
sound. When it comes to transmitting data, audio, and video
files, nothing beats High Speed. You will soon discover the
benefits to having a High-speed Internet connection, and then
you will ask your self why you didn't go with them sooner.
3. Evaluate your Needs
You must decide why you want to switch to VoIP. A good idea is
to make a list and write down your reasons for wanting VoIP over
PSTN landline phones. If you are a residential homeowner and are
fed up with paying high fees for local and long distance, then
by all means, write that down. If you are looking for small
business solutions and want to incorporate all of your data,
audio, and video needs, then add that to your list. By composing
a list, you can clearly see what your needs are and what service
is best suited for you.
4. Choose between Residential, Business, or both
Many people opt to keep their business needs on PSTN, while
testing VoIP in their residences. Not soon afterwards, they come
to realize the potential benefits for their businesses as well.
If you have a home office, some service providers will have a
plan based on your needs as well. Some of the differences
between residential and business plans include faxing and email
capabilities, more long distance on "basic" and not "unlimited"
plans, and some companies even throw in amenities such as free
yellow book advertising. Again, writing a
list down of what you
want in a VoIP service will help you better determine what your
telecommunication needs are.
5. Compare Service Providers
Now it is time to compare various service providers. There are
many sites on the Internet that will let you review and compare
different plans. Also, word of mouth is always a great form of
advertising. If you have friends and relatives who have switched
to VoIP, find out from them how they like their service
provider, and also inquire about any providers that they may
have had a negative experience with.
6. Select the plan that is Right for You
Now that your list is complete and you have compared service
plans, it is time to decide on a service provider. Choose the
provider that you feel best meets your needs stated on your
list. You will also have the choice of purchasing monthly or
yearly contracts, so know which option is best for you ahead of
time.
7. Purchase an Adapter for your telephones if your Service does
not provide you with one
If you don't want to sit at your computer for every phone call,
you will need a phone adapter. This adapter will allow you to
use your household phones to take VoIP calls. Some providers
include an adapter with their services- others may not. Make
sure you find out if you will need to purchase an adapter.
8. Choose your Area Code and Phone Number
Many providers will give you the opportunity of selecting your
own area code and phone number. This is great for those who have
family and friends in a specific area, and who would like to
save them money on their long distance bills. It is also an
effective marketing tool for businesses that are targeting a
specific region.
9. Configure your Phone's features
Your phone will come with a variety of features. You may
configure them through an Internet control panel. This allows
greater freedom to many. You will typically set up your
voicemail, call block numbers, and other features the same as
you would on your cell phone.
10. Spread the Word
Now that you are enjoying your new VoIP service, spread the word
and let others know how they too can save money.
About the author:
Michael Plante operates a free articles site, http://go-article.com. Offering
a wide range of subjects and categories, this site offers
thousands of quality articles. If you are looking for
information, check out http://go-article.com.
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| Voice over IP - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia |
| Encyclopedia article with background information, technical details, and the advantages and disadvantages of VoIP. |
| en.wikipedia.org |
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| Voice-Over-Internet Protocol |
| An overview of VoIP from the Federal Communications Commission. With news, FAQs, factsheets, and findings. |
| www.fcc.gov |
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| voip-info.org - voip-info.org |
| A wiki that covers VoIP software, hardware, service providers, reviews, configurations, and standards. |
| www.voip-info.org |
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| Howstuffworks "How VoIP Works" |
| Voice over Internet Protocol lets you make free long-distance phone calls using your computer. It’s essentially a phone network that uses the Internet ... |
| www.howstuffworks.com |
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| VOIP.ORG.UK - The UK resource for IP telephony |
| UK resource with the emphasis on small businesses and home users. Includes news, reviews, and forums. |
| www.voip.org.uk |
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| Packet8: VoIP Internet Phone Service Provider and Voice Over IP ... |
| Packet8 offers VoIP Internet Phone Service and Voice Over IP Telephony phone systems. |
| www.packet8.net |
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| Voip |
| 1-800-TRY-VOIP; Voip.com: do more, pay less. Use a broadband connection and your voip.com adapter to make and receive calls using a regular phone. |
| www.voip.com |
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| Vonage - Leading the Internet Phone Revolution |
| Use your high-speed Internet connection to make all of your phone calls with Vonage digital phone service. Plans start at $14.99 per month. |
| www.vonage.com |
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| VoipBuster - The Free* Calls Company |
| Free* phone calls with the VoipBuster. Call your online friends for free as well as a special selection of popular international destinations. |
| www.voipbuster.com |
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| The VoIP Weblog |
| OK, VoIP customers, the $24.99 a month party is just about over. ... The issue definitely kept me from switching to a VoIP service for over a year because I ... |
| voip.weblogsinc.com |
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| IVR Platforms / IVR Hosting / IVR Development |
| Get to market quickly with our A to Z VoIP platforms and services >> ... Our IVR and VOIP hosting, turnkey platforms, and developer services - powered by ... |
| www.voxeo.com |
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| VoIP |
| Connecting a business to a VoIP network doesn’t require a big, expensive integration overhaul. Quintum’s VoIP access solutions are designed with “integrated ... |
| www.tmcnet.com |
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| VoIP - Internet Telephony |
| voip, Internet Telephony Magazine. ... Internet Telephony is the leading VoIP magazine in the world covering all topics VoIP. ... |
| www.tmcnet.com |
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| Convergence & VoIP - Network World |
| The Convergence & VoIP research center is your source for the latest convergence and VoIP news, analysis and research links from Network World. |
| www.networkworld.com |
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| VoIP News - Enterprise, Carrier, Small Business VoIP Information |
| VoIP news, trends, experts, product reviews. Carrier and enterprise-class voice over ip. |
| www.voip-news.com |
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| O'Reilly Network -- What Is VoIP |
| Ted Wallingford looks at why the VoIP technology, the key ingredient in Vonage, Skype, Cisco CallManager, and a host of other technology products, ... |
| www.oreillynet.com |
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| What is VoIP? - A Word Definition From the Webopedia Computer ... |
| This page describes the term VoIP and lists other pages on the Web where you can find additional information. |
| www.webopedia.com |
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| Access >> VoIP | CNET News.com |
| EarthLink expands VoIP service. Eight more cities will get access to Net phone service that requires no ... Verizon sues Vonage for VoIP patent infringement ... |
| news.com.com |
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| Pages tagged with "voip" on del.icio.us |
| All items tagged voip ??? view popular ... SunRocket Internet Phone Service · save this. by dbrogdon to VOIP ... saved by 18 other people ... 3 hours ago ... |
| del.icio.us |
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| VoIP (Voice Over IP) Solutions - AudioCodes |
| VoIP, VoP Chip Processors and Voice over IP packets solutions developed by AudioCodes, leaders in the VoIP market for VoIP equipment and VoIP technology. |
| www.audiocodes.com |
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