| The world of telephone service has undergone | | | | comfort level as well. In order to use Vonage |
| many changes since Alexander Graham Bell made | | | | consumers will need a broadband internet |
| that first call. From switchboards and party lines | | | | connection, a Vonage telephone adapter and a |
| to landlines and cell phones, telephone technology | | | | corded or cordless touch tone phone. |
| has seen many changes. But one of the most | | | | Lingo |
| significant changes is a relatively recent | | | | Lingo is another popular choice in the VoIP |
| development - Voice Over IP, also known as | | | | marketplace. Lingo offers its new customers a |
| VoIP is promising to change the way we | | | | three month promotional period during which |
| communicate, and many individuals and businesses | | | | unlimited local and long distance VoIP calls are only |
| have been taking advantage of the efficiency and | | | | $4.95 a month. After that promotional period |
| cost savings that this new technology can provide. | | | | expires the price of the service reverts to the |
| While VoIP has undergone its share of growing | | | | normal level of $21.95 a month. All callers need in |
| pains, the technology behind it has now matured | | | | the way of equipment is a phone adapter |
| to the point where quality VoIP companies are | | | | (provided free by the company). This adapter |
| able to provide high quality service that is | | | | converts the analog telephone signals to digital and |
| comparable to the traditional landlines. This | | | | allows them to be transmitted over a high speed |
| increase in sound quality has led more and more | | | | internet connection. |
| consumers to consider ditching their landlines for | | | | Packet 8 |
| good in favor of VoIP service. | | | | Packet 8 offers a number of different plans, |
| VoIP service can have some important benefits | | | | including a $24.99 per month plan that includes |
| over the traditional landlines, and many of those | | | | unlimited local and long distance calling and a |
| benefits are related to cost and flexibility. The | | | | $39.99 a month plan for unlimited worldwide calling. |
| monthly cost of VoIP service varies from carrier | | | | In order to sue the service consumers will need a |
| to carrier, with some as low as $14.95 a month | | | | broadband telephone adapter and an all-in-one |
| with a two year commitment. In addition most | | | | VoIP phone or videophone. |
| major VoIP carriers include features such as | | | | Phone Power |
| voicemail and three way calling for free - services | | | | Phone Power is the least costly of the four major |
| that most traditional phone companies charge | | | | plans, with plans starting as low as $14.95 for |
| extra for. | | | | callers who sign up for a two year commitment. |
| Of course it is important to choose your plan | | | | With a one year commitment the monthly charge |
| carefully and to compare the service plans | | | | jumps to $16.95 and callers who choose to pay |
| offered by the major VoIP carriers. It is also | | | | month to month must pay $19.95 a month for |
| important to determine what type of equipment | | | | service. The price of the service includes the |
| you will need to purchase in order to enjoy the | | | | telephone adapter, so callers can just hook up |
| convenience and cost savings of VoIP phone | | | | their corded or cordless phones and start calling. |
| service. No matter which carrier you choose you | | | | While not everyone is ready to ditch their landlines |
| will need a high speed internet connection like DSL | | | | just yet, the remarkable progress made in the |
| or cable, and depending on the carrier you may | | | | world of VoIP has many consumers taking a hard |
| be required to purchase additional equipment as | | | | look at their monthly phone bills. VoIP technology |
| well. Let's take a look at four of the major | | | | is now able to provide the kind of steady and |
| players in the VoIP market - Vonage, Lingo, | | | | reliable service that was once the sole property |
| Packet8 and PhonePower. | | | | of the phone company. If you have been thinking |
| Vonage | | | | about cutting the phone cord, now may be a |
| Vonage was one of the earliest players in the | | | | great time to see what VoIP service is all about. |
| world of VoIP and they are still going strong. The | | | | This article can be freely reprinted or distributed in |
| company offers a flat fee of $24.99 for unlimited | | | | any ezine, newsletter, blog or website. The |
| local and long distance calling, and its long history | | | | website links must remain intact and be included |
| offers newcomers to the technology a good | | | | with every reproduction. |