.: Three reasons why you are going to hate VoIP
By:Mike Singh
Category:Home / Technology / VOIP
VoIP, or Voice over Internet Protocol, is rapidly becoming a top choice for people wishing to avoid costly telephone service. The system works by allowing you to make phone calls using a computer network, such as your Internet provider. Depending on where you live, you may be able to keep your phone number. The service typically offers some type of unlimited long distance calling within certain areas (such as within the continental U.S. or throughout Western Europe), for a set fee. Many also offer minute-by-minute charges. People who are interested in VoIP are drawn to the lower monthly fees. Also, depending on the provider you choose, package deals are available that combine both Internet and phone service. This can save both money and reduce the number of monthly bills. So if Voice over IP is so great, what are the drawbacks? The following are three reasons why you might hate VoIP.
Power Outages and Other Emergencies
One key aspect to VoIP is that, if you switch over your whole phone service, you may not have any way of making 911 emergency phone calls. Some providers are working around this problem, but before signing up and changing your service, inquire if there is a way to make emergency calls. This is particularly important if you don't have a cell phone or if you disconnect your landline completely. (Some people use Voice over IP for long distance only and keep a local number through the landline.)
Unless your provider offers some type of back-up system (some do come with a back-up battery for emergencies), if your power goes out, so does your phone. One very convenient aspect to the landline is that you can still make phone calls when the power is down. This can be a nice sense of security and allows people to check in during long power outages.
It's a New Technology
Even though VoIP has been in the works for a few years, it's still a new technology. One of the primary complaints by current users is that Voice over IP calls often have a buzzing tone in the background or an echo when speaking. While these problems are not serious, they can be annoying. If you're used to a quality landline connection, the change to VoIP may be disappointing.
Further, because it is a newer technology, providers will continue to make improvements. This will obviously increase quality, but also drive prices competitively as providers seek to gain your business. Therefore, if you are considering VoIP service, avoid being locked into a long-term contract. If something better comes along, you'll want the option of changing. Some areas do not have Voice over IP for local calls, for example, so if you opt for VoIP for long-distance service, you'll want the option of switching over your entire service once a local provider is available.
The Service Isn't the Same (Yet)
Phone companies spent years coming up with ways to service customers, such as directory assistance and comprehensive phone book listings. With VoIP, you may not have any type of directory assistance available and you may not have a listing. Prior to signing up for a service, find out what types of support systems are available. Many people take the phone company's service options for granted, so if you rely on directory assistance, you may want to think twice or wait.
In addition, depending on the type of service you choose, you may be only able to call other subscribers. If you make many calls, you don't want a service that limits who you can reach. The types of VoIP services vary considerably, from computer-to-computer calling to options that seem nearly identical to your regular phone service. Read the fine print to find out what is included and what isn't.
Also, keep in mind that in order to use VoIP, you need to have a high-speed Internet connection, such as DSL or cable. If you do not have this, and rarely use the Internet or email, then the cost of using Voice over IP could be quite more than what you are currently paying. If, on the other hand, you already have a high-speed connection, you may be able to bundle your services, including VoIP. It all depends on your needs.
VoIP is the future of calling, so if you decide to wait, you won't miss anything. In fact, the technology and service options will only improve, so if you think that you're going to hate Voice over IP, perhaps you just need to wait a bit longer.
Article keywords: VoIP, Voice over Internet protocol, IP, telephone, phone, communication
Article Source: http://www.articles32.com
Mike Singh is a researcher who provides unbiased reviews of technology-related products for consumers looking for quality information. Checkout his latest VoIP-related research - why switch to VoIP .
.: New VOIP Articles
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There are many benefits to VoIP. Here are 6 benefits we found to voice over ip. You may be able to think of even more reasons to switch or to include this exciting way to communicate at reduced prices.
2). Top 10 Reasons You Should Switch To VoIP
If you are considering changing to voice over internet protocol or VoIP for short you need to know the arguments for changing. Here are our top 10 reasons to switch to VoIP.
3). 7 Good Reasons Not To Switch To Voice Over IP Technology
For every positive there is a negative when it comes to voice over ip technology. Here are 7 good reasons not to switch in spite of the savings you may realize.
4). How To Choose The Best Voice Over Ip Provider
Choosing the best voice over ip provider may require you to do something that you have never done before. Here are a few tips to help you choose the best voice over ip provider.
5). Residential VoIP: Things to Consider Before Switching
Choosing VoIP over traditional telephone services has its pros and cons just like anything else. It is up to the consumer to weigh the advantages and disadvantages, and to come to a conclusion with eyes wide open.
6). Advantages of IP Telephony for the Residential Consumer
As more of us are building our own local area networks at home to connect our family members to each others data and appliances, broadband connections to the outside world have expanded our pipe to the Internet, giving us plenty of bandwidth to consider converging our home network with voice over IP telephony.
7). VoIP Communication Technology
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.: Top VOIP Articles
1). VoIP Problems?
Well of course there's VoIP problems, although I think problems is too strong of a word. Instead I would call this VoIP issues. (Just semantics? maybe, read on!)
Some may be old enough to remember making long distance calls where there was static or crackling on the phone line connection. Maybe you remember having to speak LOUDER in order to be heard on the line.
2). How To Set Up A Business VoIP System
To set up a business VoIP system, you need several components. A central device to manage the calls, the way a private branch exchange (PBX) or key system unit (KSU) does in traditional phone systems is one of them.
This can be a dedicated piece of hardware such as an IP PBX, a regular PBX that has been IP-enabled, or a server running specialized software.
3). VoIP Information: Benefits & Drawbacks
Once upon a time, a telephone was just a telephone. You set the base in your home and it featured either a corded or cordless handset for talking to family and friends. Even though that same telephone remains the standard, VoIP, which stands for Voice over Internet Protocol, is increasing in popularity and gradually beginning to change the way that the world sends and receives telephone calls.
4). Skype versus Yahoo
With the influx of complaints regarding Skype’s fall from grace, Danny Wirken measures up the top competitor and internet giant Yahoo!’s news internet telephony service.
Cheaper, faster, better quality, better customer service and a brand you can trust. These are the things Yahoo! want you take away from any of their promotional material for the new Yahoo! voice VoIP service.
5). Voice Over Ip – What Is It And What Are The Choices?
Voice over Internet Protocol. First was the telephone. Alexander Graham Bell had a vision. He saw people communicating over long distances with their own voice, not trough beeps and squeaks. Then came the Internet. A few students and the US military had a vision, somewhat similar to Bell’s. They saw people communicating over long distances, but this time in writing.
6). Why VOIP?
Voice Over Internet Protocol delivers the service of converting the analog line into a digital signal so that voice could be transferred through the internet and this proves to be a lot cheaper than the PSTN (public switched telephone network). Voip is the best for making long distance calls in, inexpensive rates.
Voip and IP telephony are fields which have seen extensive growth and they continue to develop efficiently.
7). Advanced VoIP Gateway Technology
Increased demand for video-based applications in the mobile network drive the deployment of 3G networks. Inherent complexities in traditional video gateways cause performance bottlenecks and inflate costs. If the industry expects to absorb the impending explosion in demand, these proposed cost-saving and complexity-reducing changes are needed.
Unrelenting market demand for video-based applications over mobile networks is driving the increased deployment of 3G networks.