| Today's Technology | | | | configure your phone settings and log all your calls |
| Over the years, the technology has made | | | | in real time. |
| remarkable progress. Telephony's improved data | | | | Caller ID - Standard with all VoIP service |
| compression rate, better sound quality, and the | | | | providers. |
| availability of residential broadband has given | | | | Voice Mail - Replaces your answering machine and |
| consumers more affordable solutions with even | | | | lets you listen to voice messages on-line. |
| more features than you might have currently. | | | | Call forwarding - Forward calls to your cell, office, |
| Today, there are a number of available service | | | | or any other number after a predetermined |
| providers with most offering the equipment for | | | | number of rings. |
| free along with pricing packages that can reduce | | | | Portability - Take your phone adapter anywhere |
| your phone bills by up to 50% or more. | | | | around the world, use your same phone number, |
| How It Works | | | | and call anytime, anywhere in the US for free, |
| Internet Voice, commonly known as VoIP (Voice | | | | and vice-versa |
| over Internet Protocol), uses your broadband | | | | Software Phone - this application can be installed |
| Internet connection to make and receive phone | | | | on any PC and will function exactly the same way |
| calls instead of your regular phone line. It works | | | | as any VoIP phone |
| by converting your phone calls to data packets | | | | Call Transfer |
| and sends the information over your Internet | | | | 3-way conferencing v |
| connection, like email, and is received on the other | | | | Call return |
| end just like a regular phone call. | | | | What You Need |
| Source: What's the advantage? Using your | | | | An Internet connection - While VoIP works with a |
| Internet connection instead of your phone line is | | | | regular 56kbps dial-up connection, it is highly |
| less expensive. You can call anywhere, anytime | | | | recommended you use a Cable or DSL broadband |
| for less and still get features like Call Waiting, Call | | | | connection. |
| Forwarding, Caller ID, 3-way Calling, and so much | | | | A Computer - The only reason you will need a |
| more. | | | | computer (PC or Mac) is to configure the phone |
| One common misconception about VoIP is that | | | | adaptor to work with your broadband service |
| it's a bandwidth hog, when, in fact, voice is a very | | | | provider. Once this is done, you will not need to |
| efficient type of traffic. As a rule of thumb, 14 | | | | do this again. |
| Kbps of bandwidth per call is ideal. This includes | | | | A Digital Phone Adapter - DPA's, also referred to |
| the compressed voice packet and the IP | | | | as phone adapters, are provided mostly free of |
| overhead. While your broadband connection will | | | | charge. This is similar to your Cable/DSL router |
| range from 768 Kbps - 1.5 Mbps, this is negligible | | | | that converts the signal to use a regular phone or |
| and not worth concerning yourself over. | | | | fax unit. |
| The Disadvantages | | | | A Telephone - There are also options for plugging |
| If you're considering replacing your traditional | | | | in multiple phones to a single DPA unit. |
| telephone service with Internet Voice, there are | | | | A VoIP Service provider - There are several |
| some things you should consider when looking at | | | | available. Here are a few you might want to |
| the various providers. | | | | check out: |
| Some Internet Voice services don't work during | | | | 1. Vonage |
| power outages and the service provider may not | | | | 2. Packet8 |
| offer backup power; | | | | 3. Lingo |
| Additional steps may be required for setting up | | | | 4. AT&T CallVantage |
| 911 calls where you will need to register an | | | | 5. Verizon |
| address for location identification; or | | | | Get More Info |
| DSL users cannot completely eliminate their land | | | | VoIP-Info.org - This web site covers everything |
| line because the broadband runs through this | | | | related to VoIP - software, hardware, service |
| connection; or | | | | providers, reviews, configurations, standards, tips |
| They may or may not offer white page listings. | | | | & tricks and everything else related to voice |
| Let's Talk Features | | | | over IP networks, IP telephony and Internet |
| VoIP service providers offer different packages | | | | Telephony. |
| to fit your specific needs. Actual usage, desired | | | | FCC - The Federal Communications Commission |
| features, and potential expansion capabilities will be | | | | provides a list of Frequently Asked Questions for |
| the determining factors when selecting a package. | | | | those looking to switch to VoIP. |
| The basic plans most VoIP providers offer include: | | | | VoIP User Forum - An independent information |
| Low-cost Basic with Limited Usage | | | | guide to Internet Telephony |
| Unlimited US and Canada calls | | | | Disclaimer - The Micro 2000 Tech Tip is a free |
| Unlimited Business with Fax | | | | service providing information only. While we use |
| You're almost certain to save money switching to | | | | reasonable care to see that this information is |
| VoIP. Not only is the monthly service itself | | | | correct, we do not guarantee it for accuracy, |
| generally less expensive than your current phone | | | | completeness or fitness for a particular purpose. |
| company's monthly service, the features you get | | | | Micro 2000, Inc. shall not be liable for damages of |
| with VoIP are much more extensive and are, | | | | any kind in connection with the use or misuse of |
| most of the time, offered for free. Features like: | | | | this information. |
| Web Based Administration - Allows you to | | | | |