How to Set Up and Connect VoIP in Your Home - A Guide

Voip Business Solutions Presents:

How to Set Up and Connect VoIP in Your Home - A Guide
By Cody James Miller

Generally, the cost of using VoIP is less than your local telephone company, you can also keep your existing phone number or pick a new one with an area code anywhere in your country.

Here is a step by step guide on how to set up VoIP for your home. There are a few things that you will need. Tips and warnings also included.

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO SET UP VoIP

1. You will need a VoIP phone - you cannot use an ordinary phone unless it specifically mentions VoIP or Skype.

-The VoIP company you obtain your phone adapter from should send you instructions on how to hook it up.

-Some phone adapters are intended to go between the cable modem and your router or computer, while others must be plugged into a router that you supply. Follow the instructions provided.

2. Connect a telephone to the LINE 1 port of the phone adapter using a standard phone line.

3. Power on your phone adapter by plugging in the power cord to the back of the adapter and the plug into the wall outlet. You should leave this plugged in at all times to maintain your phone service.

4. Wait a couple minutes while your phone adapter starts up.

-There may be updates that need to be downloaded, such as new firmware or changes to your features. These will be downloaded automatically. Do not interrupt this process by unplugging the power to the phone adapter or ISP supplied modem.

5. Pick up your telephone receiver and listen for a dial tone. If you hear a dial tone, you have finished the installation and can begin making calls.

HANDY TIPS

1. If you want a VoIP which works without your PC running, choose a WiFi enabled VoIP phone or one which will plug directly into your router.

2. You can use dial-up internet for VoIP but broadband is recommended.

3. Your computer does not need to be turned on to use your phone service.

4. If you plug the VoIP adapter directly into your broadband modem, then you will want to power down the modem prior to initially connecting the VoIP adapter.

-After making the connections, power up the modem first, wait a minute for so for it to stabilize, then power up the VoIP adapter.

-On the other hand, if the VoIP adapter plugs into your router, then it should not be necessary to power down the modem or router prior to connecting the VoIP adapter.

5. Should your VoIP service stop working (if, for example, you do not get a dial tone), first check to make sure that your broadband connection is still working. If that seems to be working, try unplugging your VoIP adapter for about 30 seconds, then reapplying power.

-Then wait a minute or two (in case it has to download new settings or firmware) and try again. Often a power-down reset of the VoIP adapter will fix the problem.

6. Many VoIP service companies offer great features like caller ID, call forwarding, conference calling, and having your voice mail emailed to you.

-Some companies offer more or different features than others. Check to see if the company you are considering offers any features you need.

7. Some VoIP companies let you choose a second or third virtual phone number, at an additional monthly charge. This phone number can be anywhere in the country that the VoIP provider offers numbers (a few providers can even offer virtual numbers in other countries).

-If you live on the east coast and have friends and family that live on the west coast, you can choose a virtual phone number with a west coast area code. That way your friends can call you and it's only a local call for them.

8. If your upload speed (as supplied by your ISP) is less than 256K, you may not be able to use three way calling successfully, nor more than one line simultaneously.

9. It is suggested that you plug your modem, your router, and your VoIP adapter into a single Uninterruptible Power Supply that is not used for any other purpose.

-This may allow you to have working VoIP service for a longer period during a power outage, assuming that your broadband service is still working.

10. If you want to replace your existing wire-line telephone service, you can use your home telephone wiring to extend your VoIP service throughout your home, although some VoIP companies may not recommend this.

-But, you must first completely disconnect your inside telephone wiring from the telephone company's cable coming into your home.

WARNINGS
1. Some VoIP service companies require you to explicitly turn on 911 service. Check with the company to make sure you will have 911 service.

2. In the event of a power failure or an interruption in your broadband service, you will lose the use of your VoIP service for the duration of the service outage. You may be able to avoid an interruption during a power failure by using an Uninterruptible Power Supply.

3. Should you attempt to connect your VoIP service to your home's inside telephone wiring, you must first completely disconnect your inside wiring from the telephone company's cable coming into your home.

*Failure to do this will damage your VoIP adapter, and for that reason some VoIP companies do not recommend connecting your VoIP service to your inside wiring*.

4. A few VoIP companies advertise an "unlimited" service tier, but in reality they will cut off service to what they consider to be "high usage" customers, or will force them to move to a more expensive class of service.

*If you are considering signing up for "unlimited" service and think you may fall into the "high usage" category, read the company's terms and conditions carefully, and read reviews of that company online to see if other customers have experienced problems*.

5. When comparing prices of VoIP providers, note that some companies charge a "regulatory recovery fee."

*You may want to ask the provider what your actual monthly billing will be before you sign up*.

6. Any phone connection such as Vonage that goes through the cable connection, does not connect to any 911 police emergency. It is not advisable to only have a cable connected telephone as your only phone system in the house.

EQUIPMENT NEEDED
1. A Wireline
2. VoIP Telephone
3. Uniteruptable Power Supply (recommended)

Happy VoIPing!

Cody James Miller
Fastmetrics

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cody_James_Miller







Voip Business Solutions

How to Buy Magic Jack

Voip Business Solutions Presents:

How to Buy Magic Jack
By Frank Breeze

Besides being a big financial-saver, the Magic Jack will save lots of time and stress by eliminating frustrations of cell phones. Though cell phones have become more of a necessity than a luxury in recent years, landlines are more appropriate for the home. Everyone wants a cell phone when they are out and about and need to be gotten a hold of in case a friend or family member has a question for them or an emergency situation arises. Though cell phones are right for those instances, this does not mean that landlines have become obsolete. For one instance, cell phones run out of battery and need to be charged frequently. If one forgets to charge their cell, the battery will surely die and if they cannot find their charger or have lost it, they will not be available to be gotten a hold of. This goes without saying that if an emergency situation arises they will be unavailable.

Even if the specific situation is not an emergency per say, obviously it still is a major nuisance if someone wants to get a hold of the person and they do not know that they are trying to call them. Land line phones ring loud so they can be heard in the whole house if necessary. They have special features (speaker phone, call waiting, answering machine etc.) which have become quite popular throughout recent years. Though cell phones are very much a necessity for many, other consumers will say they are not fully dependable to be living on, alone. Therefore, land line phones have not become completely obsolete and surely will remain within consumers' homes for more years to come. The biggest reason people have dropped their landlines is that they do not want to pay a land line bill as well as a cell phone bill, as these bills pile up and eat up their paychecks. This is why the invention of the Magic Jack has solved the problems for consumers all around the world.

Though still a relatively recent invention, the Magic Jack has yet to catch on in popularity, though some people who are not savvy with cellular technology may take better to purchasing one. Most people buy Magic Jack because you can use a land line phone converted through your computer and strictly pay a flat rate of $19.99 a year, which sounds like a huge time-saver.

Want to know how to buy Magic Jack at the lowest price? Go to http://www.HowToBuyMagicJack.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Frank_Breeze





Voip Business Solutions

MagicJack Com Device - Does it Work?

Voip Business Solutions Presents:

MagicJack Com Device - Does it Work?

Sometimes a service or product comes along which totally changes the game within a particular industry. It may come from a large company, a multi-national or even a small one man operation. I've been using the MagicJack VOIP service from MagicJack.com for several months now. I initially started using it as a means to reduce my home office costs, but really found that it had a far broader appeal for me, especially internationally.

In doing my research to reduce telecom costs, I checked out several phone service companies, including AT&T, Comcast, and multiple VOIP service providers, including Vonage. What I found was pretty revealing, especially the cost of service when making and receiving international calls to different countries. It's all over the map!

But, let me digress just a bit. I discovered MagicJack when I was out having dinner with an old colleague. He bought a Magic Jack because he was traveling frequently within the US and internationally. He was opposed to paying the outrageous rates that hotels charge just to make even a local phone call. He'd heard about MagicJack.com and decided to give it a whirl. On a trip to India, he decided to try it out and was blown away by the fact that he could call back to the US ... FREE!

MagicJack.com does NOT restrict the use of their device from calls abroad. So imagine a world traveler who calls back home frequently. Plug this little device into your laptop's USB port and the hotel phone and you are now calling the US literally for nothing. There is a $19 / year charge, but that's it! Let's take this idea one step further. Imagine you have friends or relatives who live outside the US. Pick a country. Buy a MagicJack, assign a phone # to it and send it to them. They now have a valid US phone # and can make and receive calls for that same measly $19 / year - UNLIMITED. Talk your head off!

Now, let's get REALLY creative. I have a virtual assistant who lives in the Philippines. I could have set her up with a T1 line or an international calling card ... or, I guess, any # of options. I could also have signed up for Vonage and let her use the soft phone version of their service. The cost for Vonage? ... $24 / month. Compare that to only $19 / YEAR with MagicJack.com.

Now, to be fair, Vonage has a huge infrastructure for which to pay. They even have a customer call center in case you need help. MagicJack.com does not have a call center, yet. You do everything via chat sessions. Their chat sessions are very quick and I have not had a problem getting immediately to one of their support staff.

I have plenty more ideas about how to use MagicJack. But, I don't want to spill all of the beans, for fear that they might cut me off as a Power User (grin). In any event, I think the people at MagicJack.com have created a truly revolutionary product and have signed up for their discounted 5 year service because I just love saving money.

About The Author:
David Chan is a business professional who works with teams across the globe. He's also a technology enthusiast and enjoys sharing his technology experiences with others. Find out more about different devices, such as the iPhone, Smart Phones and more at http://everypathnbeyond.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_K_Chan





Voip Business Solutions

Neat VoIP Tricks and Advantages

Voip Business Solutions Presents:

Neat VoIP Tricks and Advantages
By Laura Rucker

The really nice thing about VoIP is that it is a service that you can take with you when you travel. For example, most hotels now have high-speed Internet service, and if you take your VoIP phone with you, you can plug in at the hotel and continue to make and receive calls at your regular phone number as if you had never left home. Keep in mind that if the hotel offers ONLY a wireless Internet connection, as many of them do as your only option, this presents another problem and you will need additional hardware to convert that wireless signal into an RJ45 jack that you can plug your VoIP DTA box into.

I know of one business person who does not leave home without his VoIP phone, it is always one of the first things that gets packed. So when he gets to his hotel in Chicago or New York or Denver or even Germany or Hong Kong, he plugs in his VoIP phone and is back to work. While it may seem strange to have a VoIP phone plugged into your Hong Kong hotel room, and have people call you on it by dialing an Orlando phone number (if you live in Orlando), that is how VoIP works and it really is nice.

Another thing you can do is say you have relatives in Europe or the UK that you like to talk to but it is prohibitively expensive to call overseas very often. To solve this problem, what you should do is get a VoIP phone for you, and have them get a VoIP phone from the same provider. Now even though they are living in London or Munich, they will have a Detroit or Houston phone number. They can call you and talk as long as you want, or you can call them on their assigned phone number (which might appear to be Detroit or Denver) and talk as long as you want. The only thing they need is that high-speed Internet connection, and of course an electrical adapter to accommodate the different voltages overseas.

In summary, VoIP service is a great communications tool for both home and business use. It's recommended that if you're seriously considering VoIP service for your calling needs, be sure to compare the features and functions of several service providers before signing up. Comparison shopping will save you time and headaches in the long run and ensure you are purchasing the best VoIP service for YOUR needs.

For more information about getting the lowest price on a VoIP, T1 Line, Ethernet, MPLS or OCx Circuit, each with a Low Price Guarantee, from over 30 first-tier and top-tier carriers, from the agency that won the 2008 "Carrier of the Year" award at the National Telecom Association conference, please visit http://www.usavetelecom.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Laura_Rucker

Voip Business Solutions

Troubleshooting VoIP

VoIP Business Solutions Presents:


Troubleshooting VoIP

This is a compilation of information learned from dealing with a real world issues related to VoIP. I make no claims of being an expert. These tips may send you down a trail to find solutions for tweaking and maximizing your VoIP service. Please understand I know only enough to be dangerous!

1. Is the phone or adaptor plugged into the correct spot? Do not plug it into the computer but rather into the modem or router.

2. Wall jack connection. It is possible to plug the phone cord directly into your current wall jack instead of into a phone. Using this method of hook up you should be able to use all your phones in their current locations. To do this you would plug the adaptor into the phone jack instead of the phone and the Ethernet cable into the broadband. Ask an expert for more information on this method.

3. Do you have enough IP numbers with your broadband service? If you have only one you must have a router or splitter connected to the modem to have your phone work. Most services, especially DSL, provide 5 or more IP numbers, cable may provide only one.

4. Wireless connection for your phone. It is possible to have a wireless connection for your phone. Instead of plugging an Ethernet cable into the broadband you can use a wireless connector. I use LINKSYS WIRELESS G Game Adaptor for Playstation 2 and Xbox. It is a 2007 model and I am certain G is now replaced with N for faster speed and farther reach. There are other options as well. Ask at your favorite a techy toy store. A wireless connection may result in an unsatisfactory connection so be aware of that before you spend the money for the equipment. If it works, you will enjoy more freedom. I have only used it for my GrandStream Video Phone.

5. What is your UPLOAD SPEED? What is your DOWNLOAD SPEED? Broadband speed is critical to the performance of the Global Freedom video phone or VoIP. The upload speed must be at least 750kbps and the download must be 1300kbps, preferably a lot more of both up and down speeds. Upload speed is very important. Many broadband providers, especially cable and phone companies, see broadband as another broadcast medium and do not tailor their connections for optimal upload speeds. The bottom line, do not underestimate the importance of upload speeds, especially for video.

6. Test your speed. Do not assume that because you have a well known, highly advertised provider that your speeds are adequate. Go to www.speedtest.net or www.speakeasy.net (on this site click on SPEEDTEST in the lower right corner, then select a city) for a free test of your speed.

7. Call your provider. If your speed is inadequate do not assume you can do nothing about it. For example when we tested our Roadrunner speed it was 2,906 for download and 336kbps for upload. Woefully inadequate for upload speed. Call your provider and insist they give you what you need since, in many cases, you are paying for much more than you get. It can be tweaked!

8. Echo. Low internet speed causes echo on your phone lines.

9. Cable loses speed when too many people get online. This tends to happen when kids are out of school. DSL is unshared bandwidth and remains stable. On the other hand DSL has more firewall issues and lower speeds which can cause problems with VoIP.

10. DSL dry line. You can have DSL Broadband without a land line phone attached.

11. Simultaneous ring. If you are using more than one piece of VoIP hardware, i.e. softphone on your laptop, the adaptor and or the videophone, only one will ring and I could not determine how you know which one will ring. I believe there is an adjustment for simultaneous ring. I have not mastered that yet.

12. Computer gunk. The speed of your internet connection is affected by the condition of your computer. You need to run Defragmentation and Disk Clean regularly. If your computer is full of gunk it slows your connection noticeably. Go to www.PCTuneUpTips.com for top 10 fixes for slow computers.

13. Videophone adjustments. Many adjustments are available. An important one is light. You can adjust the setting on the camera to compensate for the level of lighting in the room. The latest videophone comes with about 12-15 variants, including dark. To make the adjustment for lighting for example hit OK on the keypad, then arrow down to USER PREFERENCE using the arrow below OK. Hit OK again to choose it then arrow down to CAMERA and hit OK again. Now choose EXPOSURE and arrow down to your choice for lighting and hit OK again. When finished arrow down to BACK then OK then down to BACK then OK then to BACK and OK and then arrow to EXIT. It is very easy once you get the hang of it. Takes much longer to write it than to do it.

14. Play with your video phone. You won't break it. It is quite a machine!

15. Find high speed internet providers. Go to www.joe.es where you will find a list of them all. The first part of the list tends to be hotels and other Hot Spots. Keep scrolling and you will find area providers with contact information.

16. Secure your wireless internet connection. If it is not password protected anyone in your range can use your internet connection. This reduces your usable broadband. For example, each phone on the system uses approximately 90kbps.

17. Redundancy. In a larger application, such as an office, it is advisable to have part of the system on DSL and part of it on cable. If one or the other is down, communication is still possible. Or put the computers on a separate cable service.

18. Is VoIP Secure? VoIP is perhaps even more secure than POTS (plain old telephone service) lines, because the information is broken into packets and then re-united when it arrives on the other end of the line, making it difficult or impossible to tap your phone line.

19. Latency. This relates to the delay between packets. (See above) Latency can be tested on the speed test sites. I do not know what the latency reading should be for optimum results but I know it is an issue. Ask your ISP about it.

20. Update the modem and or router firmware. You can do this by going to the website of your equipment manufacturer and searching for your model number and then download the most current firmware. Older modems and routers may not effectively handle VoIP without this update. Do not assume your system has the latest firmware just because you bought it yesterday. It may have been in a warehouse for several months.

21. Cannot call out. This may be a security setting or it may be outdated firmware. (See above).

22. Cannot receive calls. This may be a security setting or it may be outdated firmware. (See above).

23. Tweak your modem and router. Belkin, for instance, comes with more than one speed setting for internet connection. It is usually on the lowest speed Change it and double your connection speed.

24. Do Not Stack Equipment. If you stack your modem and router or other relevant equipment it is possible to get crossover noise, thereby affecting audio and video clarity.

25. Bad Cables. Yes, it is possible to have a bad cable. It can be invisible breaks inside the shield. Keep the cables all organized with space between them. Crimped or tightly bundled cable is not good either.

26. Read the information that comes with your modem or router. You may learn something important and useful.

27. Line conditioner, prioritizer and optimizer. This is a device that cleans up the line and prioritizes voice, video and gaming. I recommend LinkSys Network Optimizer or Hawking (model HBB1).

28. Line filter. This is a small device used with DSL. This device prevents static and crossover noise on the line. Some say remove it for VoIP, while others say leave it on. It is easy to try it both ways to see what works best for you.

29. Firewalls. These may be set up on your computer or it may be a firewall placed there by your Internet Service Provider (ISP). On your computer go into start>settings>control panel>security to tweak your security settings.

30. Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS). This is a device to protect your computer and other equipment from power surges and brown outs. Instead of uneven power being fed into your device you get a nice even flow of energy. They usually have an outlet for a phone. It is a must for your computers, and I highly recommend it for your Global Freedom Phone. I believe it can enhance video and audio clarity, and I know for sure it protects the equipment from being destroyed during a storm or other irregularities in power delivery. Summertime, for example, brings brown outs due to overload from air conditioners running 24/7 in almost every home.

31. Connections. Make sure that every hardware connection related to your internet is secure. Unplug each one and reseat them with a firm hand. Unplugged connections account for a lot of problems.

32. Electrical Breaker. Check the breaker in your electrical box. Sometime they appear to be ON but they are what I call mushy. Turn it off and back on with a firm hand.

33. Clear the deck. Keep the area around the equipment clear of clutter and dust free to prevent overheating and disconnections. I had a call from a VoIP customer that her phone was not working well. When I went into the closet to check her modem it was piled high with clothes. Problem solved!

34. 800 Numbers. If you cannot reach an 800 number with your VoIP phone contact your VoIP service provider.

35. Last but not least. When all else fails recycle the modem, router and phone. Unplug all of them. Plug in the modem and allow it to come up completely, about 60 seconds. Now plug the router into the modem and allow it to come up. Now plug the phone in again and allow it to re-connect. Note: You must restart your computer if you wish to get back on the internet with your computer. Super note: Your computer does not have to be on for your phone to work.

Key Words to Know: Kbps= kilobit per second transfer rate. KB/sec. There are 8 bits to a byte so we would divide kbps by 8 to get KB/sec. Download speed: Download is a measure of how fast your connection delivers content to your computer or local area network. Upload Speed: Is the measure of how fast content, such as video, is delivered from your computer or video phone to others on the internet.


About the Author

M. Ann Karlberg is an entrepreneur with a passion for getting ahead of the wave of a new trend or shift in old trends. Her current interest is in the dramatic changes occuring in digital telephony, VoIP. By the year 2012 she believes dramatic shifts will have occured in the industry thereby opening up opportunities for the average person to finacially benefit by saving money and earning money. Ann is also fascinated by the exciting possibilities inherent in

VoIP Business Solutions

How To Find Free VOIP

VoIP Business Solutions Presents:


How To Find Free VOIP

When it comes to finding free VOIP (voice over internet protocol) you need to ensure that both you and the person you wish to talk to have the same software downloaded on to their PC’s. Therefore if you are someone who has Skype VOIP software on their PC then the person you wish to talk to should have the same software package on their PC as well. But in order to get the best out of this technology you will need to have the following:-

1. A good high speed internet connection such as LAN (local area network) or DSL (a high speed service).

2. A computer plus an adapter.

3. A special VOIP or broadband phone or you may decide to use a good quality headset with microphone attached.

4. The essential software that allows you to make all your VOIP calls.

However when it comes to obtaining free VOIP you may find that you are causing yourself more problems than you would expect if you are using a normal land line. Certainly you will find that you are actually saving money when the service is working properly but you will find it much more difficult to use especially when there are problems with your internet service or connection. Also it is important that you place a good security system on your PC in order to prevent any calls that you make from being hijacked otherwise you will then find that others can become party to your conversations with others without you even knowing about it.

Also when it comes to using the services for obtaining free VOIP calls it is important that you choose a company who is going to be available on a regular continuous basis. Certainly if this is the only way in which you are going to primarily use this as your way of communicating with others then you need to look closely at what areas each service provider covers along with how much they actually charge you to use their service initially.

If you are seriously considering using a free VOIP ser vice then you need to look closely at those providers who are able to meet your needs as much as possible as well as what kind of rating they have in the market place. You will also need to look at each one to discover which is the most affordable and what exactly each has to offer in their particular plans. If you are someone who is likely to be making a lot of international calls then you need to find a free VOIP service provider that offers you both local, national and international calls as part of their package or else you may find your bills becoming higher because you are required to pay an additional fee to make international calls. By comparing the various services that the providers have to offer will help you in the end to make a more informed decision as to whether free VOIP is worth having or not.

Find out more about finding free VOIP

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carl_Walker



VoIP Business Solutions

How to Choose Between VoIP Hardware or VoIP Software

VoIP Business Solutions

These day, a lot of people or companies make a switch from conventional phone to VoIP, since VoIP is less expensive than the conventional phone. VoIP works by changing voice in the form of the analog signals into digital signals and then transmits the signal via Internet Connection. At the destination the digital signals is decoded back to analog signals so the voice can be heard and understood. These day, there are wide ranges VoIP Service available and there are many ways to get a VoIP Phone.

There are two types of VoIP Phones available in the market that you can choose. You can get a VoIP based on Software that you can install in your computer or you can get a VoIP based on hardware. Both types are different even though they both can be considered VoIP. Which one will suit you the best will be depend on the requirements that you need.

VoIP based on Software

VoIP that based on Software, is in the form of computer programs that you can install in your computer to deliver your voice via the internet Connection. With this VoIP program you can make calls or take calls using microphone and speaker system plunged into your computer with a high-speed internet Connection.
A fews things needed to considers if you want to use VoIP base on software.

• Compability. Make sure Your VoIP software should be compatible with your computer operating system, other wise it will not work.
• Users friendly. Make sure your VoIP software is easy to use. It useless if you have the VoIP software but you do not know how to use it.
• VoIP features. Find out whether your VoIP software have all the VoIP features included such as Video conference and shared whiteboard.

VoIP based on Hardware

On the other hand, with VoIP that based on hardware, you will need a special equipment that can connect to your high speed internet Connection which can change the analog signals in the phone calls to digital signals.

If you want to use VoIP that based on hardware you should consider a few things:

• Connection Support. What sorts of connection that your VoIP phone has? Can it support Ethernet like ISDN or Dialup or even Wi-Fi?
• VoIP Features. Your VoIP phone should support three way calls or video conference.
• Others Consideration. This one is about preferences like what's style of VoIP phone that you want, do you want handset or headset, do you want with cord or cordless.

In general, whether VoIP software or VoIP hardware will be all depends on what suits you the most and what you really needs. Both VoIP software and VoIP Hardware have its own advantages and disadvantages so make a little bit of research to the one that meet your requirements.


VoIP Business Solutions

Tips on How to Choose the Right VoIP Phone

VoIP Business Solutions

If you are currently considering saving cost on your telephone bill then you might want to take a look on VoIP Phone. VoIP stands for Voice Over Internet Protocol, and it works by changing the analog signals to digital signals so it can be delivered over the internet Connection, and at the destination the digital signals will be change back to the analog signals so the receiver can heard and understood the voice.
The main benefit to have a VoIP Phone is that VoIP Phone can help save cost as you can use it to make local calls and long distance calls a lot more cheaply compare to the same usage of the conventional phone.
But with wide ranges of VoIP Phones available on the market these days, you might confuse yourselves which one the right VoIP Phone that will suits you the best. Even thought the answer to that question is entirely up to you, however you might find these tips below helpful in narrowing down which one the right VoIP Phone that suits you the most.

VoIP based on hardware versus VoIP based on Software

VoIP can be based on either software or based on hardware. VoIP that based on Software is in the form of a program that is installed in your computer, and the program will deliver the phone conversation through the internet. You need additional equipments such as speaker and microphone to make it work. Now with VoIP that based on hardware, it utilize a special equipments to connect to high speed internet connection and changing the analog signals to digital signals.
VoIP Phone based on hardware and VoIP Phone based on Software are different to each others yet both are considered as VoIP Phone, and both have their own advantages and disadvantages. Which one will suit you the most will be depends on what you need and what your budget.

VoIP Call Control Protocol

If you want to reach a large number of people that using VoIP, then make sure that your VoIP Phone also support more a lot of call control protocols such as H.323, SIP, IAX2 and MGCP.

VoIP Codec

Code-decode or widely known as codec is an important features of VoIP. VoIP Codec is the one that will change the digital signals back into the analog signals so that you can hear and understand the voice. Therefore the VoIP Phone that you choose have to be able to decode back the digital signals into the analog signals otherwise you might not be able to hear what the other person said in the other end. Samples of codecs are GSM-Full Rate, Speex, ILBC, G.728, G.729 etc.

VoIP Features

A good VoIP phone should have included VoIP features as well to enable you to do call conferencing or call to more than one person at a time. In addition to that, a good VoIP Phone can support encryption, custom ringtones and even Do-Not-Disturb feature (DND).

There you have it. Some tips to help you narrowing down all the options available to choose the Right VoIP phone.
VoIP Business Solutions

VoIP Business Solutions

How to Choose a Broadband Provider for VoIP

VoIP Business Solutions Presents:

How to Choose a Broadband Provider for VoIP

While not absolutely necessary, a broadband Internet connection is what makes your Internet phone calls reliable, and understandable. VoIP uses a traffic engineering term called Quality of Service (QoS) that refers to the implementation of controls to ensure that delay sensitive IP packets are prioritized as they flow through the pipe. To forgo these controls would result in acoustic problems like jitter and echo, as well as dropped calls. Because a broadband pipe is much larger than a dial up connection, there is much more throughput capacity, or space, to allow us to prioritize.

There are basically three ways for the residential consumer to obtain a broadband Internet connection. From your cable television provider, your telephone company, or a wireless broadband network such as Clearwire, a Wi-Fi hotspot, or even a cellular network likes Verizon or Cingular. With these options becoming increasingly more wide spread, utilizing the Internet to route your phone calls has also become a viable and cost saving alternative to traditional landline telephony. Now the question becomes, which type of broadband service is best suited for voice over Internet protocol.

Since the advent of cable television, cable companies have contributed enormously to the development of the worlds Wide Area Networks (WANs), adding broadband Internet to their list of services offered. Indeed, with the development of VoIP, they have even blurred the lines of the telecommunications Industry. The cable modem, and its Coax Cable pipe, have ushered the Internet into the Jet Age with Internet service at the speed of light.

A cable company WAN consists of neighborhoods connected to nodes, each node having its allotted amount of bandwidth. The cable pipe is about the largest to be had for the residential consumer and is plenty big enough for the clearest of VoIP phone calls. However, the bigger the neighborhood grows, and the more people that connect to the pipe, the less bandwidth is available for each household. Cable companies are generally very good about distributing bandwidth and will add more nodes when necessary. Their network is, after all, their bread and butter. Just be aware that at peak traffic times, VoIP call quality can degrade.

The Digital Subscriber Line, or DSL, is the residential broadband solution offered by the traditional telephone companies such as AT&T, the regional bells, and others like Quest Communications for example. For years the Telcos have had the upper hand in the business community, connecting their networks to the outside world via a T1 line, which is the equivalent bandwidth wise to a cable modem. DSL is somewhat slower than a cable modem, and in fact, in some communities is offered at 2 speeds. It also tends to be somewhat cheaper. Nevertheless, there is still ample bandwidth to implement VoIP successfully.

DSL is not affected by node saturation like cable networks, but it is distance sensitive. The further you are from your telephone companys local switching station, the more signal degradation you will have, and the maximum distance is 18,000 feet. Telcos can and do use remote switching stations to expand their service where they see a market opportunity.

The fatal flaw of DSL when considering the use of VoIP, is that most companies require you to subscribe to their traditional telephone service as well. Naked DSL, the unbundling of broadband and telephone service, is possible and is offered by only a few local phone companies. Perhaps because of the cable companies creeping onto their turf, and the slow but sure acceptance of VoIP in the general population, the Telcos seem to think they need to get the money where they can.

In January of 07, the Senate reintroduced the Internet Freedom Preservation Act. One of the provisions called for, is that all broadband service providers offer consumers standalone broadband service. If this Net Neutrality bill passes, DSL could prove to be a viable option for those wishing to switch to VoIP.

Wireless networks also provide ample bandwidth for VoIP telephony, and their value is most appreciated in the life of the Road Warrior. People who constantly travel, weather for business or pleasure, are finding Wi-Fi hotspots popping up everywhere. Most modern hotels have their own wireless network, and Internet cafes are becoming an international phenomenon. Travelers that find a hotspot have the choice of using their laptop and a headset to communicate over the Internet, or to use one of the many Internet Phones found on the market today.

Metropolitan Wireless Broadband networks are also proliferating nation wide. Clearwire Wireless Broadband is a company that uses a combination of Non Line of Site (NLOS) and its own proprietary technology to cover whole cities, even regions of the country. Let it be known however, that this technology has been met with mixed reviews.

If youve visited a college campus recently, you may have noticed tiny antennas sticking up from the rooftops every few meters. Campuses today have their own Wi-Fi networks, allowing students, faculty and administrators to make VoIP phone calls via their laptop, or an Internet phone, from anywhere on campus.

The Cellular Networks built by companies like Verizon, Sprint, and Cingular, have proliferated all over the world and indeed blanket most developed population areas. Cell phones have been introduced by Nokia, Samsung, and most recently the Apple iPhone, that are capable of switching (in some cases seamlessly) from a cellular network to a Wi-Fi hotspot and back. However, it is the Cellular companies that control the airwaves.

Cingular Wireless (soon to be at&t wireless) already utilizes phones with quad band and Wi-Fi support, and will be the carrier for the much anticipated Apple iPhone. While the cell phone networks seem to have been dragging their feet on implementing full support of VoIP for the consumer, there are technological issues to be considered, as well as how they will profit from the technology.

Once the broadband pipe has been decided upon, there is still the issue of picking a VoIP service provider. Cable companies, Telcos, and increasingly cellular companies all offer their own VoIP service to consumers, and since their service is over their own networks, they are in an excellent position to deal with Quality of Service issues.

You are not, however, under any obligation to use your broadband service provider as your VoIP service provider. Pure play VoIP providers, companies that offer only VoIP service, have grown in number, and could be said to be responsible for the low rates associated with VoIP telephony. Vonage, with around 53% of the residential VoIP market, is one pioneer in the industry that offers calling plans as low as $15 a month. SunRocket, Packet8, and the peer to peer VoIP company Skype, have calling plans for even less. Cable and Telco plans on the other hand, are bound to cost more, starting at around $35 or $40.

Whatever VoIP service provider you choose, and for whatever reason, the most important factor in determining the quality of the call is the quality of the pipe. To test your connection for VoIP suitability, do a query on the keywords "voip test" on your favorite search engine

Article source: http://www.authorpalace.com

About the Author:

Author Michael Talbert is a certified systems engineer and web designerwith over 7 years experience in the industry. For more information on Voice over IP Telephony, visit the website VoIP-Facts.net, or the VoIP Blog for up to date industry news and commentary.

VoIP Business Solutions

How To Maximize Use Of VoIP For Your Home Business

VoIP Business Solutions Presents:

How To Maximize use Of VoIP For Your Home Business

If you are running a home business, you can use VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) services to provide many benefits. VoIP is known to be significantly less expensive than the traditional telephone long distance packages, but this is only one advantage of using VoIP.

While there are other options, you can choose to use your regular home phone to take advantage of VoIP technology. This can be done by using a VoIP telephone adapter to connect your phone to the internet via a high speed modem. VoIP technology allows internet users with high speed (broadband) access to place telephone calls over the internet.

There are many VoIP service providers with whom one can sign up for a calling plan.

As VoIP rides on the internet technology, there are many features that are now possible as compared to the traditional phone. Many traditional phone features that come at an extra charge are also provided free with the basic calling plan.

1. Cheaper Than Traditional Phones
Using VoIP is a cheaper option if you make a lot of long distance and international calls. This is possible as the call uses the same internet facility as you do for your web access and email.

Upon signing up for a calling plan with a service provider, the VoIP telephone adapter will typically be provided free.

All calls between people using the same service provider are free regardless of location. This alone can provide significant savings if your business associates use the same service providers.

There are many features that come free with the calling plan. Some of these features are:
- call waiting
- caller ID
- three-way calling
- call forwarding
- last number redial
- speed dial
- voicemail

2. Allows Mobility
When traveling, you can take the VoIP adapter with you and instantly turn a phone anywhere in the world into your local phone. This will require a high speed internet connection.

This is possible as the VoIP adapter is specially coded with your VoIP phone number.

With the VoIP Physical Portability feature, you can still receive your customers' phone calls while traveling on business matters, on holiday or moving home.

3. Establishing Business Offices At Multiple Locations
VoIP Virtual Numbers allow multiple inbound telephone access numbers in different cities. With this feature, it is possible to establish your business in multiple locations by creating a "Virtual Presence" using virtual numbers.

These virtual numbers can be routed to any number that you specify. If you lived in Chicago, you can have access numbers in New York, Houston and San Francisco all routing through to your number in Chicago.

With this feature, business addresses can be established in different cities and even countries. You can set up these virtual numbers based on the locations from where you expect to receive many phone calls. This could be your existent customers or your prospects.

Besides enhancing the image of your business, customers get the benefit of calling a local number which is less costly for them.

Most service providers who offer this feature charge about $5 per month for each additional access number. This makes it possible to establish business offices at multiple locations at a low cost.

4. Enhanced Voice Mail
Some service providers offer you the ability to receive voice mail messages as an email attachment. You can play them back as a sound file through your computer.

As a home business owner, you can also save these voice mails to your computer's hard drive for future reference. You can also forward this to another person if follow up action is required.

5. Selecting A VoIP Service Provider
Your choice of the VoIP service provider and the calling plan depends on your unique needs.

Depending on your business needs, you can select calling plans for local/long distance or international calls. International calls can be made with local/long distance plans but at an additional per minute rate. International plans typically include USA local and long distance coverage.

First decide on the features you require to manage your home business. Then match these against the features available. Resist buying based on the number of features provided by the service provider.

Independent surveys show that most of the established VoIP carriers are about the same in terms of voice quality. Good customer service is also an important criteria for selecting your service provider. Read customer reviews on these aspects to help you choose the service provider.

There are service providers that include a "Money Back Guarantee". Check against your service quality criteria, once you have initiated the service. Cancel the service and request for your money back if you are not happy with the results. Make sure you do this within the "trial" period allocated.

For a month-to-month plan, your service is automatically renewable each month, until you cancel the service. So, you have the option of canceling. Some annual plans allow you to cancel on a month-to-month basis, but watch out for the extra charges you may incur if you cancel. Check out all these details before you sign up.

About the Author

Regina Maniam shares information on how you can exploit VoIP for your home business. You can find more information at http://www.voipsolutionforyou.com.

VoIP Business Solutions

How To Compare Residential VOIP Offerings

Voip Business Solutions Presents:

How To Compare Residential VOIP Offerings

Many people are turning to VOIP phone for several different reasons, the biggest reason being cost. The landline telephone has been in existence for one hundred years; however, many people are finding that VOIP offers a great deal more, for a great deal less. There is one requirement though, you must have a broadband connection, otherwise known as a highspeed Internet connection. While there are some minor differences between the traditional telephone and a VOIP phone, many people simply enjoy the money saving features.

What cost savings you say? With a VOIP phone (using your highspeed Internet connection to make and receive phone calls), you can make unlimited local and usually also unlimited long distance calls in the continental US for one price, where that one price is frequently less than the cost of just getting a DIAL TONE from your local phone company. Is it starting to make more sense now?

With VOIP, you receive comparable reliability and quality of traditional telephone service without all the added fees we tend to experience from our phone company. Have you ever opened your bill and noticed the big jump in cost? Here is a personal example, this writer has experienced with a local telephone company. I simply have a phone, yes some of the perks as well, such as call waiting, call waiting plus, caller ID, and caller ID plus. When I ordered the service, of course it was all conveniently placed in a package that was to cost me $35 a month. Imagine my surprise when I open my phone bill and it was $89 for the month, that is just the phone, does not include the cost of internet, which put the bill over $100.

Now you are probably thinking well long distance calls will do that. Yes, it would, except I purposely do not have long distance on my telephone, so that was not the case in this scenario. I had a ton of hidden charges for this, that, and everything else. Now with a VOIP phone, it hooks up directly to your internet connection, and most VOIP providers offer several different packages that are designed to fit both your needs and your budget. For example, one company offers unlimited long distance calling, local calling, plus all the perks such as E-911 service, voicemail, caller ID, call waiting, Call forwarding, 3-way calling, and such others, for only $24.99. That is your bill, one flat rate each month. Tell me, which you would rather pay, $89 a month or $24.99 for just about the same service. The choice is clear.

When considering a VOIP phone it is important that you do some comparison shopping. The internet is full of fabulous deals from VOIP providers and it is important that you take a look at the various companies and find the one that fits your needs, as well as your budget. Another thing about VOIP is that you can choose from several different packages with each provider. Some may include a VOIP phone line with long distance, without long distance, or for multiple phone lines, perfect for kid�s phone or a home office.

There are some disadvantages to VOIP service. For example, your fax machine may not work reliably over the VOIP. Furthermore, if you have satellite internet within your home, you may find that the VOIP fails to work in a reliable manner as well. It is very important that you do your homework, finding out exactly what options you have, and what works best for your specific needs.

About the Author

Jon is a computer engineer and long-term world traveler who maintains many websites to pass along his knowledge and findings. You can read more about VOIP and a comparison of popular VOIP offerings at his web site at http://www.voipinsideinfo.com

VoIP Business Solutions

VoIP Business solutions

VoIP Business solutions - Taking down to personal level.

The high end computer with innovative intelligent processors and good memory chips are the trends emerged these days. People can find these sophisticated technology gadgets almost on every home and office.

These trends create an easier and cheap form of communication through Voip Solution. Voip Solution use the internet connection from your computer as the medium to pass the signal. And Voip Business Solution based on the data format that goes like this: In the sender's end the voice being converted into digital data and then being routed to its destination. And in the receiver's end the data is being converted back into voice.

With the smart use of technology, a VoIP Solution provider can provide a cheap service and solutions costs. The price for long distance call would be quite reasonable as the user only pay for the internet usage. If you have Voip Solution and own your own personal computer, you can enjoy these Voip Solution service for both your personal and professional live.

Therefore the communication has been taken down to the personal level with VoIP solutions.

VoIP Business solutions