| What is VoIP | | | | usually a button to click that can indicate to others |
| VoIP is an acronym for voice over internet | | | | when you are available, unavailable, away, or off |
| protocol, aka voice over ip phone. A VoIP, in | | | | line. |
| essence, is a computer phone that allows you to | | | | Who Can I Call Using a VoIP Phone? |
| make phone calls from your computer to anyone | | | | Most reputable VoIP computer phone providers |
| in the world, e.g., PC to PC, PC to phones - | | | | limit PC to PC calls among their own subscribers |
| landlines or cells. | | | | for privacy purposes so that the quality of sound |
| The voice signal converts to data packets and | | | | is not compromised. |
| travels across the internet through a VoIP | | | | Most reputable VoIP voice over ip phone |
| platform, and then converts back to voice at the | | | | providers have their own patented technology. |
| receiving end of the communication exchange. | | | | Some VoIP solutions providers require limiting PC |
| Leading telecom experts are projecting that 75% | | | | to phone landlines or cells to their own subscribers, |
| of the world's communications will be done on | | | | while others do not. |
| VoIP within the next several years. | | | | Advantages of VoIPo With VoIP computer |
| What Kind of Equipment Do I Need? | | | | phones, you have unlimited talk time to anyone in |
| You will need a computer with internet access | | | | the world from PC to PC for a flat monthly rateo |
| and an inexpensive microphone if your computer | | | | Most VoIP voice over ip phone providers offer |
| does not have one built in. Although most VoIP | | | | drastically reduced costs for calling PC to landlineso |
| voice over ip phone providers require high speed | | | | Most VoIP's offer reduced costs for calling PC to |
| internet connections, there are a few that can be | | | | cell phones, however, prices often vary depending |
| used on dial-up connections. | | | | on the cell phone carrier.o Savings of up to 80% |
| How Can I Place a Call or Receive a Call? | | | | off current phone bills. |
| Basically, the same way you would a regular | | | | What are the Costs for VoIPs? |
| phone, except on your PC. When you download a | | | | Typically there is an activation fee which varies |
| VoIP voice over ip phone line on your computer, | | | | between $20.00 to hundreds of dollars, although |
| a phone usually appears on your screen. The | | | | some are hidden. |
| computer phone acts like any other phone in that | | | | Monthly fees, after enrollment, varies between |
| you can dial numbers on it from a pad, or click on | | | | $5.00 per month to $99.95 per month. |
| a contact's pre-programmed name, and press the | | | | If you do not have a microphone on your |
| call button. You will then hear the phone ringing to | | | | computer, you would have to purchase one. Cost |
| the party you have called and can talk to them | | | | is between $5.00 to $40.00. |
| when they accept the call. | | | | Things to Watch Out For with VoIP Serviceso |
| When receiving a call, the phone will ring on your | | | | Hidden costso Unsecure lines - meaning anyone |
| computer and you can click to accept the call and | | | | can listen to your conversation because of shared |
| talk, or let it ring (based on the number of rings | | | | servers or open platforms, thus making you |
| you have set up) and forward the caller to your | | | | vulnerable to viruses, worms, Trojan horses, and |
| voicemail. | | | | unscrupulous hackers, which ultimately can corrupt |
| What Kind of Features Does a VoIP Phone Have? | | | | your computer and create a costly computer |
| Typically a VoIP voice over ip phone not only has | | | | crash.o Inability to be used with dial-up |
| audio capabilities, but also three-way calling, text | | | | connectionso Public listing of your name and/or |
| messaging, and contacts list. Some VoIPs even | | | | phone numbero Many VoIP services have |
| have webcam capabilities. In addition, there is | | | | spyware. |