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Is a VOIP Calling Plan Right for Your Home?
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By Jessica Liu
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If you watch TV read magazines, or drive through and cities withbillboards chances are you've come across advertisements forVOIP calling plans. Many of these advertisements try to selltheir services on how much less expensive their services arecompared to traditional calling plans. They also talk aboutquality and clarity of calls. You've probably wondered how muchof this is true and how much is hype.
VOIP or Voice over Internet Protocol is probably one of the mostrevolutionary advances in the telecommunications industry. Itallows you to talk to another person across the globe usingdigital network connection exactly the same as way you receiveemail or visit websites. Because you voice is converted into adigital signal it can be sent across the street, across thecountry, or across the globe for exactly the same cost. For VOIPcalls the concept of long distance doesn't exist.
VOIP calling packages come in two flavors, bulk rate pricing andunlimited calling. Bulk rate pricing allows you to have amonthly allotment of minutes to call who ever you want (justlike your cell phone service). If you go over your monthlyallotment you will have overage charges. Unlimited calling isexactly just like it sounds you have no limit on the amount ofcalls you can make. Unlimited calling plans range from $35 to$90 per month depending on the VOIP service provider and theadditional features included with your plan. Unless you aremaking a lot of calls or the unlimited calling plan is veryinexpensive bulk rate pricing is usually a better option.
Just like cellular phones VOIP service providers allow you to"port" or move switch your existing phone number into theirservice. This is really convenient as you won't have to notifyyour friends and family you've changed your number. Currentlythere is no legislation that VOIP providers have to allow you toport your number out if you are unhappy or want to changeproviders. Some of them will, others will charge you a fee, andsome will refuse to accommodate your request, be sure to checkthis before you sign any contracts.
If the VOIP company you are using "piggybacks" on your existingbroadband cable connection your phone service is dependant onyour cable connection. If your cable connection goes out or youdrop your cable company your VOIP phone service won't work.Additionally if you lose power in your house unless you have abackup generator your phone won't work.
Lastly many VOIP service providers don't interface well withemergency services (911). On traditional phone lines youraddress information is automatically sent when you make a call,this isn't true for VOIP. ? Copyright VOIPTelephoneSystem.org,All Rights Reserved.
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