| VoIP, or Voice over Internet Protocal is a new | | | | phones out there. The best part is that you can |
| type of communication which provides a number | | | | call other Skype users for free without using a |
| of advantages over the more traditional forms of | | | | computer. Of course there are many other |
| communication devices. Rather than using a phone | | | | devices that have this feature such as the Sony |
| line, it actually works through communicating over | | | | Playstation Portable has integrated Skype as well. |
| your cable line. There are many services that | | | | NetGear SPH101: This is another phone that is |
| provide this. For instance your cable company | | | | optimised for Skype, and the display is color. |
| might offer it as a part of their package, and you | | | | NetGear is a standard in home networking, and as |
| might be able to get it by itself. You might have | | | | with any other VoIP phone, it is capable of |
| choices such as Vonage or even Magicjack. | | | | encrypting your calls. |
| When you choose to use VoIP however, you will | | | | When you are buying a VoIP phone, you need to |
| also need to select a decent phone. Below we will | | | | ask the right questions. Ask what the phone is |
| outline the specifications of four phones that you | | | | capable of, as well as how the security is. If you |
| could try out. You will more than likely find one | | | | are a private person, or have a lot of confidential |
| that you like, and you will be making phone calls | | | | information, then you will of course want a phone |
| like never before. | | | | that can handle encryption. Also ask whether it |
| Linksys WIP300: Linksys has long been a | | | | supports call waiting, and what type of display it |
| household name when it comes to networking | | | | has. This is a good starting point for any potential |
| either in the home or in the workplace. This phone | | | | purchase. So long as you pay attention and look |
| uses wireless 802.11g, and along with that it is able | | | | at the features, you will no doubt be able to |
| to encrypt your phone calls, giving you the highest | | | | locate a great phone, and you won't have to |
| level of security possible with a portable phone. | | | | make a huge transition from your POTS phone. |
| Cisco 7920: The only major drawback to this | | | | VoIP is very much the up and coming technology |
| particular phone is that it shines best when it is | | | | in the world of communications. It has become an |
| inside a Cisco network. Typically you will only be | | | | important part of many households and |
| using this within a corporate environment, but if | | | | businesses right throughout the world. The low |
| you have a Cisco router or other Cisco hardware | | | | cost of calls and the flexibility of the technology |
| then you should be able to make use of it. It has | | | | has endeared it to many, whilst the proliferation |
| the security features of other phones, and is a | | | | of services such as Skype have helped to expand |
| solid communications solution. | | | | its influence. Voice over Internet Protocol might |
| Linksys CIT200: This is a cheap phone, and it can | | | | well also provide the perfect solution for you. |
| be used with skype, making it one of the better | | | | |