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VoIP And E911 Service

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 08:23:05 +0000

VoIP And E911 Service

by: Michael Weaver

In the event of an emergency, are you capable of receiving the emergency response from calling 911 that you normally expect when using a traditional phone line? In the United States as well as Canada, a 911 call placed from your telephone is routed to PSAP (Public Safety Answering Points). Your number and location are reported when this call is placed. Knowledge of the phone number allows the 911 dispatcher to return the call if necessary and the location is of obvious importance to route an emergency response team. But what happens when this same 911 call is placed over a VoIP line?

There have been reported incidents where existing 911 calls placed from VoIP don't get through to the primary PSAP and at times are routed elsewhere. The dispatcher also wasn?t receiving the additional information such as phone number and location. This can slow emergency response services to a critical level.

The FCC has mandated that all new subscribers have access to E911 service. The Enhanced 911 service provides the same level of information to the PSAP as described above. Currently there are some VoIP subscribers who do not have this service. The FCC originally order a disconnect for all existing VoIP users without the E911 service. Recently the FCC has backed off that order (the original deadline for disconnect was Nov 28, 2005). Instead the FCC has now mandated that all 'new' service be equipped with E911 service. Those remaining VoIP providers not offering E911 service will be unable to market or sell new services until such time that they implement the E911 service.

When researching possible VoIP providers, you should make sure that this service is available. The government is mandating that it be available, but as an informed consumer this is information you should know. What good is saving money on your monthly phone bill if it's at the expense of the safety of you and your loved ones?

Other things you should keep in mind is that VoIP runs over your existing broadband connection. If your broadband connection goes down, so does your phone line. Your broadband signal also needs to travel through your modem, so in the event of a power outage, your broadband is down as well. (because the modem would be without power). You may want to review having a battery backup in the case of power outages and perhaps a second traditional phone line or a cellular phone in order to place emergency calls.

About The Author

Michael Weaver http://www.fullservice-broadband-provider.com

The Full Service Broadband Provider service offers unbiased and informative information on broadband as well as local/long distance and cellular services. This service is made possible through Try Right Technology, Inc.

PC To Phone Using (VoIP) With Dial-Up

Sat, 06 Sep 2008 17:41:17 +0000

PC To Phone Using (VoIP) With Dial-Up

by: Christine Hancock

Have you heard that you can make phone calls over the internet cheaply? Have you had a chance to try it? Most people that have had a chance to try it have experienced hit or miss quality, dropped calls as well as some speech delays. But there are some steps that you can take to really improve the quality and consistency of you VoIP calls over your internet Connection.

There is a lot of buzz these days around Internet based communication, VoIP, replacing regular/traditional telephone service. Much of the buzz has been created by/around a company called Vonage, who?s motto is ?Leading the Internet Phone Revolution?.

Even if you do not have a broadband connection, you can still save a fortune by using VOIP service for long distance calls. A broadband connection will give you more consistent, reliable call quality, but similar results can be obtained using a dial up account if some guidelines are followed.

All VoIP service providers are different, they do not all support dial-up users. Companies such as Vonage happens to be one that backs away from dial up connections. The providers that do support dial up usually only support dial-up above certain speeds. The two most popular companies that do support dial up VoIP are Callserve and Go2Call.

If you close programs that are running in the background, you will get higher call quality. If you are using windows, just right click & close all open non-essential applications that are shown in your taskbar at the bottom right of your screen. If you are using windows XP & there are other users logged on, be sure they log off before trying to make a call.

You also need to be conscience of what you are doing while you are on the call. If you overload the limited data capability your call quality will suffer. Other activities that will compete for bandwith are: Instant Messaging, checking your email, web cameras, surfing the internet or downloading anything.

Scan your system frequently for Viruses and Adware, these programs can tie up your browser and internet connection, slow down your system and affect your call quality.

Make it a habit to scan your system every month so your virus software remains uo to date. McAfee or Nortons are good programs, Spybot ? Search & Detroy is good for removing spyware.

Use a headset with a boom microphone and this should eliminate annoying voice echoes often associated with VoIP phone calls. If you use a headset, voice signals are limited in volume and thus the chances of your microphone 're-transmitting' those voice signals is greatly reduced.

So if you have dial up you can still enjoy the cost savings of making PC to VoIP call.

About The Author

Christine Hancock is the owner of http://onlinevoipinfo.com/ which deals specifically with PC to Phone and PC to PC VoIP. The site includes a comprehensive information on VoIP.

How to Rid Yourself of Phone Charges with Internet Phone Service

Sat, 06 Sep 2008 17:25:33 +0000

How to Rid Yourself of Phone Charges with Internet Phone Service

by: Jim Sherman

Session Initiation Protocol and Short Message Service (SIP and SMS respectively) refer to frameworks that allow devices to communicate directly with one another without the need for a central routing computer. It seems rather surprising that a mere framework can so radically change the face of communication, but in the few years since their explosion onto the communications world, SIP and SMS have done just that.

The brilliance of SIP and SMS is that they are able to bypass the traditional telephony model whereby a line had to be routed through a telephone hub and maintained for the duration of a call to complete the conversation. The process of routing and establishing connection as well as maintaining connectedness throughout the call in increasingly congested phone lines is quite an expensive venture. And like all good for profit businesses, telephone companies were happy to pass the costs of operation on to consumers in the form of high long-distance bills. That has all changed, however, since the advent of SIP and SMS.

Because the SIP and SMS code is based on computer communication and not telephone communication, it is able to work much like the internet itself. That means that when you place a call through SIP or send a message through SMS you do not have to pay the cost of a router connecting your calls, but rather the technology automatically finds the person you are trying to communicate with and rings their line. What is established is a stable but temporary connection in between you and the person you are speaking with. When you are done speaking the connection is severed. That means that unlike traditional telephone companies, SIP and SMS providers do not have to maintain millions of lines that are not being used, but rather they simply rely on the very precise code built in to the phone to create and sever connections as needed. This creates a perfectly efficient system, which consequently explains why SIP and SMS providers are able to offer long-distance communication so cheaply.

SIP and SMS were designed not only with efficiency in mind, however, but also integrated ease of use in the model. Because the designers were fully aware that telephone users have become used to having a handset and phone number, this has been integrated into the SIP technology. Under the system SIP users can make calls from their number through a regular handset just like they would ordinarily. However, because the system is based on internet and not telephone line communication, the benefits do not stop there. Rather, SIP allows users to take their phone and plug it in wherever there is internet access. And when they do, they can make and receive calls on their very same phone number. So for instance, a business traveler can take his office phone with him on a trip and receive calls to the same number, on the very same phone, although physically he may have moved across the country or even across the world.

The fact that the system is based on internet communication also means that users get the benefit of paying their bill and adjusting their services all from a single website. That is not to mention extra services like conference calling, which is significantly cheaper with SIP than with traditional telephony.

SIP and SMS allow users to send messages and phone calls from around the world with the ease of making a local call. Because the system is internet based it is able to offer a wide array of services and features that typical providers are simply not able to touch. But by far the most important benefit of both SIP and SMS is the cost. Due to the fact that the system is peer-to-peer, users are able to save tremendously on long-distance charges over their much more costly land-line competitors.

About The Author

Jim Sherman writes about interesting topics such as Internet phone service. See http://www.mobalex.com for more information.

Conference Call Etiquette You Need To Know

Sat, 06 Sep 2008 10:50:37 +0000

Conference Call Etiquette You Need To Know

by: D Ruplinger

I have worked for large company for several years and have been on more conference calls, tele-seminars, and tele-training calls than I can remember. Those experiences have led me to develop a list of ?Conference Call Tips and Etiquette? that can help make conference calls more pleasant, run smoother, and help avoid embarrassment. I?m sure the list I?ve put together isn?t all inclusive but it does cover the major things I have experienced or learned about during the course of all those calls I?ve been on.

-- Find a quiet place. Background noise will be heard on the call and it can be very distracting to other participants. If you are at home and have small children playing nearby or have a noisy dog, try to find the quietest part of your house. The other participants on the call will appreciate it. If it is not possible to be away from the noise, mute your phone whenever you are not talking. Pressing *6 will mute most phones.

-- Avoid Using A Cell Phone. Try to avoid calling into a conference call from a cell phone whenever possible. Cell phones add tremendous background noise to a conference call. If a cell phone is your only choice, muting the cell phone is a necessity whenever you are not speaking. Also, make sure you are not driving when you are on you the call.

-- Be on time for the call. Don?t get on the call late and expect someone to catch you up with what is going on while everyone else waits. It is rude and disrespectful to the other participants to not be on time. It gives them the impression that your time is more important than theirs.

-- Don?t Use The Hold Button. Do not put the conference call on hold if your phone has hold music or those annoying beeps that sound every few seconds. To say it is a huge interruption and distraction for everyone else on the call is an understatement. I was once on a conference call for training on a new software product our company was introducing. Someone else put the call on hold for nearly 20 minutes and we ended up listening to her hold music for the entire time. If you have to leave a conference call for any period of time, hang up the phone and call back in when you are ready to rejoin.

-- Be Cautious With Cordless Phones. If you are joining a conference call from a cordless phone make sure the phone does not have a lot of static background noise. Usually static background noise starts when you start to get out of range of the phone base or is you get near another device that interferes with phone such as some small electric appliances and answering machines.

-- Avoid Shuffling Papers. One very annoying thing that some people do on a conference call is shuffle papers. It sounds very loud on the phone. Other small potentially noisy habits to avoid are : continually clearing your throat, tapping your pencil, drumming your fingers on the desk, etc.

-- Be Aware Of Whether Or Not Your Phone Is On Mute. If you do put your phone on mute while on a conference call, and it is always a good idea to do so whenever you are not talking, remember to take it back off mute when you talk. Likewise remember to put it back on mute when you are finished. Nearly everyone who has been on conference calls regularly can recount at least one memory of someone forgetting to put their phone back on mute and then saying something that was definitely not intended for the ears of the other conference call participants, such as a negative remark about something relating to the call or another person on the call.

-- Be Polite. Do not try to talk over another person on the call even if you feel you have a very important point to cover. It is in bad taste to do so and will result in everyone else on the call not being able to understand what you or the other person is saying. Be patient; wait until the other person has finished; and then talk.

Following the above tips can help make conference calls more successful, and more importantly, take up the least amount of time possible so you can get to 1,000 other tasks you have to accomplish like taking a time management course! But that?s another story.

About The Author

D Ruplinger is a featured writer for http://www.conferencering.com. For more information about conference calls visit http://www.conferencering.com.

Winning Customers Over the Phone

Sat, 06 Sep 2008 08:44:33 +0000

Winning Customers Over the Phone

by: Lydia Ramsey

Do you sometimes wonder where your customers have gone? In a study by the International Customer Research Institute, individuals gave the following reasons for becoming "non-repeat" customers:

* 1 percent died (makes you wonder how they responded)

* 3 percent moved

* 5 percent said friendships

* 9 percent said competition

* 14 percent were dissatisfied with the product

* 68 percent cited an attitude of indifference by employees

How many times do you think that employee attitude is communicated by phone? Very often the telephone is the first and only contact that people have with your organization. Make sure that this experience is the best you and your employees have to offer so that first-time callers become repeat customers.

Smile when you answer the phone. Even if your hair is on fire or the last caller chewed you out, pause for a moment to put a smile on your face and in your voice. Believe it or not, people can hear you smiling through the phone.

Answer the phone on the first ring, certainly no later than the third ring. If people have to wait through rings four and five, they begin to think that you have closed for the day, gone out of business or just don't care. We live in a world that expects instant gratification. Be sure you meet your customers' expectations.

Ask permission before you put someone on hold. You may have multiple lines ringing and a line of people standing at your desk, but wait to hear the caller's response. It is that person's choice to hold or not. Try not to turn this move into a power play. When you come back on the line, thank the person for holding. If you have to ask the caller to continue to hold, offer to take a number and return the call.

Transferring calls should be done with care. Before you connect the caller to someone else's extension, make sure that person is in and able to help. There is nothing more frustrating than being transferred over and over again and having to retell the same story to a multitude of different people before finding the right one.

Before you send the call to co-worker, give the caller that person's name and number in case there is a disconnect. Better yet, tell the caller who you are and how to reach you if there is a problem. You will have an extremely satisfied customer.

Always make an offer of help. It may not be your department, your issue or your job, but if it is the customer's problem, you need to show concern. Never tell the caller " 'I don't know'" or "I can't help you." The best response to a problem is a genuine "Let me see what I can do or who I can find to help you."

You will win customers and influence people every time when you use good phone skills.

About The Author

Lydia Ramsey is a business etiquette expert, professional speaker, corporate trainer and author of MANNERS THAT SELL - ADDING THE POLISH THAT BUILDS PROFITS. She has been quoted or featured in The New York Times, Investors' Business Daily, Entrepreneur, Inc., Real Simple and Woman's Day. For more information about her programs, products and services, e-mail her at lydia@mannersthatsell.com or visit her web site Manners That Sell.

mannersthatsell.com

5 Factors to Consider on Choose the Best Online Phone Cards For Your International Long Distance Calling Needs!

Sat, 06 Sep 2008 08:24:35 +0000

5 Factors to Consider on Choose the Best Online Phone Cards For Your International Long Distance Calling Needs!

by: Karo Yegyan

Before starting to learn how to find Best Prepaid Phone Cards for your Domestic and International Long Distance calling needs, lets see what factors are important to choose the right Phone Cards. First of all I want to tell you One Truth: in general there is NO such a think as ?the Best Phone Card?. It all depends on your specific calling needs, habits and purposes: (To) Where You Call? , Who Calls?, Whom You Call?, From Where You Call? and How You Call?. Most likely not all of these will apply to you (usually one or two factors apply). By taking a moment on reading and comparing several cards? Terms/Conditions and Charging Fees, based on your calling needs, you will be able to choose the Right Card and use it over and over and SAVE BIG.

1) (To) Where You Call?-this means what country or what specific city in that country you wand to call.

Once you go to most of the Online Phone Cards Companies? Home Pages (For Ex. http://www.PhoneCardsGallery.com -by the way this is the website, from where I do almost all my online phone card purchases.), somewhere you can find ?Discount Calling Card Finder? or similar section. In the ?country? box choose your calling country & submit your search. The site?s searching tool will find all the cards which provide calling services to your country and will organize the cards with the highest calling minutes to the lowest minutes (Top Ranking). Now we know which cards give the best calling minutes to your country, but very important to consider the cards ?Qualities? also ( in http://www.PhoneCardsGallery.com the Quality shows by Blue Stars next to the Cards? names?). Always give preferences to those cards which have better Qualities. Having Local Access Numbers (for the State or City that you are located or you calling from) is also very important. It is recommended to choose a card that has Local Access numbers. Usually, by using Toll Free 1-800 number, instead of Local Access numbers, additional Per Minute Charges may apply. Some cards that have Local Access #s, in the card?s detail page, will provide a link (?Local Numbers?) to the new page with the list of all available Local Access #. Others the will provide (by Automated Answering Service) the Local Access # when you call by using their Toll Free # and choosing ?yes? to their question: ?Do you need Local Access # ?? In this case, after you get Local Access #, you need to hang up and call using given Local #.

2) Who Calls?- this means if you are using regular phone or payphone to make your calls. If you are using a payphone, in the cards? terms check if they charge additional fees for using a payphone, how much it is and compare with other cards to make your decision.

3) Whom You Call?- this means if you are calling to a regular phone or to a cell phone. If you are calling to a cell phone, in the Terms check if they charge different rates for cell phones and make your decision accordingly.

4) From Where You Call?- this means from which country (USA or Canada), State or City you are calling from. Some cards you can use only from certain states or cities and that usually very easy to notice: either card?s name include that state?s or city?s name (Ex. Crazy-Crazy Los Angeles) or nest to the card?s name it says the name of the state or the city for which that card is designed for. Usually those cards have Local Access #s for that state, county or city. If you see that the card, beside 800 #, has Local Access # also, then it means that the card is specialize or designed for that specific area only. Some cards could work only from specified location (state) and in the detail page of those cards, on the ?Toll Free? line will say ?(Works From X State Only!)?. So, be careful and do not buy these types of cards if you are not in that state. So, make your decision accordingly, and choose the cards that specialize on your state or city. Many cards have No Local Access numbers (they have only Toll Free #) and you can use them from any states.

5) How You Call? - This means that what are your calling durations and frequencies: are you going to make a few long calls with your card or many short calls? If you are planning to make one or two long phone calls, then the most important factor that you will need to consider is Calling Rate (or Calling Time). You will need to choose the cards that give higher calling minutes (same as lower calling rates). The Connection Fees, Maintenance Fees, Communication Fees, Minute Rounding Rates, Expiration Date and other similar fees and factors are not so important and relevant for long calls. However, those mentioned fees and factors are very important to consider if you going to make many (frequently) short calls. You may consider getting cards with comparably lesser calling minutes (higher rates) but minimum charges for above mentioned fees. In this case you also will need to prefer cards with longer Expiration Date and smaller rates for Minute Rounding. Therefore, the card with higher calling time is not necessary is the best card for you if you are planning to make short calls. To make frequent short calls, you will need a card with No Connection Fee, Minimum or No charges for Maintenance, Communication and also smaller number for Rounding Minutes. Generally short calls are those which are lasting less than 15 min.

By considering all the above mentioned factors and options, now you are able to choose the right cards that will SAVE you the most money. There are numerous prepaid phone cards out there and yes, there are some major differences between the fees they charge. If you are serious about getting the most out of your hard earned dollars, take the time and just one time compare different cards and choose the best one for your needs. Once you found the best one for your needs, you can use the same card over and over and SAVE MONEY and TIME.

Buying phone cards over the internet is safe, very convenient, cheap (mostly they sale with discounts) and profitable (they provide very useful tools which help users to compare and find the best cards (good rates, high qualities & having other important fetchers) for their different calling needs).

Below are the names of some famous online Phone Cards Companies:

PhoneCardsGallery, PhoneCardSavers, idPhoneCard, MasterBell, 1stPhoneCard, Zaptel, Zscomm, CallingCards, PhoneCardOnSale, RelianceIndiaCall, Tel3, OneSuite, ldpost, Raza, UnionTeleCard, PhoneShark, PinCity, PinOnSale, ThaiTel, PhoneCards-Prepaid, International-Phone-Card-Express, PrepaidTelecomhq, Reliablecom, Nobelcom, CentCalls, Connectto, TheRichCom, ECallChina?

Below are some Key Words to search for online Phone Cards Companies:

Phone Cards Gallery, Phone Card, Calling Card, Calling Card International, Prepaid Phone Card, Online Phone Card, International Phone Card, Calling Card Prepaid, Prepaid Calling Card, Long Distance Phone Card, Cheap Phone Card, Calling Card Cheap, International Prepaid Phone Card, Calling Card Online, Calling Card Phone, Phone Calling Card, Pre Paid Phone Card, Cheapest Phone Card, Prepaid Cell Phone Card, Cheap International Phone Card, Online International Phone Card, International Phone Calling Card?

About The Author

Karo Yegyan-Economist, Accountant, Entrepreneur, Business Researcher, Publisher with interest in fairness for consumer advice.

The Basics Of VoIP Devices

Sat, 06 Sep 2008 05:30:57 +0000

The Basics Of VoIP Devices

by: Mark Woodcock

Making long distance phone calls usually means that you have to commit to a long distance carrier through your phone company, and pay often steep per-minute charges and fees just to call a friend or loved one. Often, the cost of the phone call depends on the day and time of the day that you are making it, as well as the location you are calling to. The minutes you talk add up quickly, and the monthly long distance bill can be a shock to your system and your bank account. Fortunately, there is an exciting technology that is gives you the option of saying goodbye to traditional long distance for good. It is VOIP is or Voice Over Internet Protocol, and it's in the process of changing the face of long-distance telephone systems forever. VOIP works by taking analog audio systems and converting them into digital data, which can be sent over the Internet. This means that your kitchen telephone could possibly become obsolete. It will not be the only place to call friends and family that live far away. VOIP can make your Internet connection, and your home computer, the place that you make your long-distance phone calls - free of charge. Because you use VOIP devices and software that are widely available, the phone company is not involved. No phone company means that there are no hefty long-distance charges for you to pay. VOIP is a convenient and affordable way to keep in touch with those who live far away from you.

There are several types of VOIP devices available that can be used to place calls from your home computer. They are relatively simple to use, and often cost very little, if anything at all, to implement. They are all commonly in use, and each provides a slightly different take on this exciting technology. The most common device used in VOIP service currently is the ATA, or Analog Telephone Adapter. This VOIP device allows you to hook your typical telephone up to your home computer Internet connection. This device converts the analog audio signal from the phone and makes it possible to use over the Internet by converting it to transmittable digital data. The ATA is simple for anyone to use. Just plug the cord from your home phone that would usually go into the wall jack into the ATA, and it is set up for you to call anyone anywhere in the world.

Another type of VOIP device is the IP, or Internet Protocol, phone. An IP phone looks like a regular home telephone, complete with a handset and buttons for dialing. But, rather than having standard phone connectors (RJ-11), an IP phone is equipped with an Ethernet connection (RJ-45). This VOIP device connects to your computer's router, and allows you to make phone calls directly from your home computer, dialing it just like a typical home telephone.

Yet another type of VOIP device is known as computer-to-computer. With this method, long-distance phone calls are made free of charge. All you pay is the monthly ISP fee you are already paying. Many companies offer free or low-price software that you install on your computer. If your computer is equipped with a microphone, PC speakers, and a sound card in addition to your Internet connection, then you will quickly be set up to talk to anyone in the world using VOIP. This is an extremely easy and affordable type of VOIP device that allows you to keep in touch with those far away from you.

As you can see, not only will VOIP change the way you make phone calls forever, but it will save you money as well. Utilizing equipment that the vast majority of us already have in our homes today, VOIP technology provides consumers with easy and affordable options in long distance phone service. With the exception of your current ISP's monthly charges, there is little to no expense at all. And since there are several options of VOIP devices from which you can choose, there is no reason not to consider VOIP as your primary means of making long distance phone calls to far away friends and family.

About The Author

Mark Woodcock is a director of 3 Internet Companies, is a published author and has written many articles on a widespread number of topics. All his articles may be reproduced provided that an active link is included to http://www.voip-services-provider.com.

Internet Cell Phone Deals ? How to Take Advantage of Them

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 18:58:54 +0000

Internet Cell Phone Deals ? How to Take Advantage of Them

by: Jaye E. Seay

The internet can be a great place to buy your next cell phone. How many times have you been in the mall and were harassed by some pushy wireless telephone dealer? The internet store is a sharp contrast to this type of environment. On the internet, you can take your time, research a particular phone, and search for the best deals. In addition to this, internet dealers generally have better cell phone deals than their brick and mortar competitors. But how do you take advantage of these better deals?

In 2004, the government approved number portability. Number portability allows you to keep your cell phone number, even if you switch carriers. The implications of this are crucial for taking advantage of internet cell phone deals.

Internet dealers often offer some very innovative and high end cell phones for free after rebate. However, to receive these offers, you must also sign up for a new cell phone plan. If you want to stay with your current carrier, you must sign up for a new phone number along with the new phone plan. This is because number portability is carrier to carrier (not inter-carrier). Although you could upgrade your phone and keep your number and carrier, this would not qualify you for most internet offers. The alternative is to keep your cell phone number (through number portability) and switch carriers. However, if you choose this option, make sure that you are not under contract with your current provider or you could stand to face a hefty termination charge.

Nevertheless, there are many quality carriers in the marketplace. Switching carriers should not be that troublesome. Therefore, these internet cell phone deals have great value for the consumer. Often, these phones that you can get free after rebate would cost you more than $200 as an upgrade. As a savvy cell phone consumer, you could select two carriers that you are comfortable with and switch between the two every one or two years (and receive a high quality cell phone free after rebate) in the process. The internet marketplace holds great value for the cell phone consumer. Take advantage of these great internet cell phone deals.

About The Author

Jaye Seay is an MBA candidate at Howard University in Washington, DC. He is also the owner of 8ballwireless.com, a website that offers consumers information, reviews, and links to the best internet cell phone deals.

Equipment Options For VOIP Communication

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 18:12:56 +0000

Equipment Options For VOIP Communication

by: Ron King

The marriage of computer and telephone technology goes by the funny name of VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol). But the cost savings are no laughing matter.

The Simplest Solution -- Headphones

Attach a headset to your computer?s sound card and you can try VOIP for free!

Download any one of the many VOIP software packages -- Skype, Gizmo, Free World Dialup, and Net2Phone are some of the big names. Install and invite your buddies to install the same software. It?s that easy to set up. Special features like call display, call forwarding, voicemail, and conference calls are also free as long as both parties are using computers.

It's even easier to use. Just click on a name to start a call. Most of these so-called "soft phones" allow you to place and receive calls at no charge to and from anywhere in the world, so long as you are not connecting to cellular or landline phones.

Internet Phones

The next step up from headsets is Internet phones. They plug into the USB port or sound card of your computer.

Because you still need VOIP software installed on your computer to make and receive calls, these phones are also considered soft phones. But they seem more like "real" telephones because they ring, have regular number pads and are used like conventional phones.

Analog Telephone Adapter (ATA)

Progressing up the VOIP ladder, ATA is next. It allows you to connect a regular analog telephone to a broadband modem. It is usually free when you sign up with a provider, similar to signing up with a telephone company. There is a monthly charge for this service, and you may have to sign a contract committing you to that provider for a specified period.

Using an ATA for Internet phone calls is straightforward. You pick up the phone and dial a number. Anyone calling you won?t even know that you are using VOIP.

A computer is not needed for this kind of link. It connects to either a DSL modem linked to your phone line or cable modem attached to your cable television connection. Any traditional telephone can also be plugged into an ATA.

You can even take your ATA with you when you?re traveling and receive phone calls from anywhere by connecting it to any broadband modem. Calls to your home phone number will be routed to your ATA (which has a unique identification) at the same cost as the call to your residence.

IP Phone

The final VOIP option is an IP phone (not the same as an Internet Phone). IP phones plug directly into the modem; Internet phones plug into the sound card or USB port of your computer.

An IP phone is a handset that has all the hardware and software built into it. You connect an IP phone to a broadband modem, then make or receive calls the same way that you would with an ATA.

The advantage of an IP phone over an ATA is that it is a completely integrated unit. You don?t need an extra telephone to plug into it. Another IP phone advantage is that your phone numbers are all stored and the display screen provides information about incoming calls.

There you have it: 4 choices that will all add up to substantial telephone savings.

About The Author

Ron King is a full-time researcher, writer, and web developer. Visit http://www.voip-solutions-now.com to learn more about this subject.

Where To Find Low Cost Telecommunications / Mobile Phone Products

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 15:42:51 +0000

Where To Find Low Cost Telecommunications / Mobile Phone Products

by: Jonathan White

Technology is all around us. A lot of us depend on technology in our daily life?s day-to-day activities. One part of the technology industry that is getting better all the time is the telecommunications sector. Telecommunications is improving all the time. For example, broadband is becoming faster, mobile phones are becoming more advanced, etc. Due to this improving technology, many people who wish to keep up with it may now find it rather hard because of the fact that this technology is improving quicker and quicker all the time. In other words, once someone has brought a new mobile phone, they will then find that within a few months time a more advanced mobile phone will be on sale and their current mobile phone will become outdated.

As many of us want to keep up with the new and better telecommunication products including mobile phones, people are now finding it very difficult because of all the costs in purchasing all of the new products. In fact, some people spend hundreds of dollars on new mobile phones and other telecommunication products every year just so that they can have the most updated phones on the market. The only problem with this is that when you keep on buying new mobiles, new mobile phone products and other new telecommunication products every few months or even weeks, you will soon find out that the costs add up over the years and before you know it, you would have spent a good few hundreds of dollars on this technology every year.

A good option would be to buy your telecommunications including your mobile phone products of the Internet by using a telecommunications product price comparison guide before you make a purchase. This is a good idea as you can find the products that you need, you can then compare the prices from a large amount of different online merchants and you can then purchase your required products and save at the same time.

Where to find Telecommunication Products including Mobile Phones http://www.1phonesearch.com is a US product price comparison site that only lists products to do with telecommunications including mobile phones. In fact, it lists thousands of products from a large amount of different top quality online merchants.

If you are located in the UK then buying products from a US merchant is something that you may not want to do. So you could always use 1PhoneSearch?s UK product price comparison guide at: http://www.1phonesearch.co.uk . This guide also lists thousands of telecommunication products including mobile phones from top quality merchants in the UK.

Off course, some people are still weary about spending and using their credit cards online. There are more people spending on the Internet everyday, but there are still some people around the world that may not think that using an online site to purchase products is a good idea.

That?s one thing that is very good about an online price comparison site like the two mentioned above. If you are not happy about spending money online, then you could still use a product price comparison site as a lot of price comparison sites include merchants that you have most likely seen at your local supermarket.

So instead of spending hours a day looking through every shop just so that you can find the cheapest price for a product, you could always do your searching online through a product price comparison guide and then once you have done your searching and found the product/s that you are interested in, you can then go to your local supermarket and purchase the product directly from the merchant itself.

After using a product price comparison guide, no matter which one you use on the Internet, you are more likely to find the same products for a cheaper price and more quickly than what you would do if you did not use one. After time, you will notice your savings adding up over the years meaning that you will be able to afford even more mobile phones and other telecommunication products or you could even put the money into a savings account which you have saved up from using a product price comparison site.

About The Author

Jonathan White has been doing online market research, advertising and other online activities for over 4 years now. He currently owns http://www.simplysearch4it.com and http://www.simplysearch4it.co.uk where you can play free online games, read articles, and more.