Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP)

[charleychacko]

For those who have never heard about the potential of VoIP, be prepared to radically change the way you think about your current long-distance calling plan.  VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is very simply, a method for making and receiving phone calls.  The calls are sent over the Internet.

So what?  Well, for those of you who are already paying a monthly fee for an Internet connection, this means that you can use that same connection to place free long distance phone calls.  This process essentially circumvents phone companies and their service charges.

At $30 per month, VoIP is comparable in price to traditional phone service.  But, VoIP providers usually include unlimited long-distance within the U.S. and Canada.  This is great if you make lots of lengthy long-distance calls.  For those who make fewer calls, most VoIP services have a plan that allows for 500 minutes of calls per month for around $14.95.

You’ll need a broadband connection to the Internet to be able to use VoIP.  Over 50% of the Internet uses in the US now have a broadband connection.

You also need a VoIP adapter that connects a telephone to your broadband modem.  The adapter digitizes the signal from your telephone so it can be sent over the Internet. 

Carriers generally provide the adapter at no cost, and will charge about $10 for shipping.  There is usually an activation charge as well, usually around $30.

The VoIP adapter allows you to connect one telephone to the broadband modem.  Your phone must be connected to the adapter.

Traditional telephone jacks located around your house won't work.  There is a workaround, though.  Use an expandable cordless telephone system.  With these, a base unit plugs into the VoIP adapter.  The phone extensions receive a signal from the base unit.  They don't need to be plugged into the adapter. 

Cordless phones can reach between 200 and 500 feet.  They are available at your local electronics store.  You'll pay about $80 for the base unit and $50 for additional phones.

You also can rewire the house's telephone jacks so they go through the VoIP adapter.  Instructions can be found online. This isn't a job for the faint-hearted.  For more information, do a Google search for:  “wire home for VoIP.”

A word of caution:  Think twice about plans with limited minutes.  You'll have to keep track of the number of minutes you use.  If you go over your monthly allotment, you'll be charged 3 cents per minute or more for every call. And it doesn't matter if it is a local or long-distance call.