VoIP, Internet Phone Service - I Have Questions!

A Little More Clarity On VoIP

By now, many people are beginning to at least hear about Voice Over IP, or internet phone service. This is a testament to how fast it is growing. Whereas just a few months ago VoIP was still in relative obscurity, it is now a term that is beginning to invade many households.

However, what has become obvious is that people are unclear as to what VoIP is, have misconceptions, and/or are not fully aware of all the unique qualities that separate it from traditional phone service.

I am hoping to clear most of that up right here and now!

Let s start with the basics; Voice Over IP is simply phone service using the internet

instead of the landline. You plus your phone into an adaptor connected to your modem, instead of plugging your phone into the phone jack in the wall.

Make sense so far? So we re taking the phone line in your home completely out of the equation.

Now, where most people get confused is here. A lot of people are thinking about online software that allows you to use a microphone and camera with your computer to chat with someone else who is online. Although this is also using the internet to communicate, the VoIP we are talking about here is an actual phone service that allows you to continue using your phone as you re used to.

Same phone,

same phone number, same dialing habits. It s all the same; the only noticeable difference is your phone bill being much smaller.

Are you with me so far? So this is not using a microphone and/or camera online in a chat room. This is real phone service with a number and a real phone. Got it? Great!

Now that we have the basics down, let s get into some more detail and some of the features that I feel make VoIP unique and beneficial. The main ones are; unlimited calling (US and Canada, at the most basic level), all the calling features included that other phone companies charge extra for, number portability, phone portability, videophone capability,

extremely low international rates and FREE between customers worldwide, and HUGE tax savings.

So let s go through each of those briefly. Unlimited calling and the calling features speak for themselves. You can get an unlimited plan for around $25 per month which includes unlimited calling to at least the US and Canada, and it includes all the calling features you can think of; 3-way, call waiting, call forwarding, call blast, voicemail, etc. Most phone companies charge extra for many of the features that come included with VoIP.

Do you currently have a home phone? Well, you can keep that number when you make the leap to VoIP. What if you move? Unlike traditional phone service, your

number and account are not attached to a physical location your home. If you move, just take the adaptor or your VoIP phone with you. Your info is programmed into the VoIP adaptor.

So yes, that means that your VoIP adaptor will work anywhere in the world (for most VoIP companies) as long as you have a high speed internet connection. And the number will still be the same. For instance, I have family overseas. They have a VoIP videophone, which has a US number. This means that I dial a local number, and it rings over there and vice versa. They could take that phone and go anywhere in the world,

plug it into a high speed connection, and it would be the same number and work just the same.

Still with me? Good!

Now that overlaps the next feature international calling. The international calling rates are extremely cheap because the calls originate on the internet as opposed to on a company s landline. However, if you are calling another VoIP customer anywhere in the world (on the same service) it is considered a local, free call.

In addition, and one of my favorites, is the tax savings. An unlimited calling plan on traditional phone service can range from $40-50 plus about $15-20 in taxes, depending on what part of the country you re in. Taxes with

VoIP can be as low as $2.50. That s over $17 you re saving on taxes alone! This is what caught my attention immediately when I was checking it out.

As mentioned earlier, there is also videophone capability. Not all companies offer this, and not all the ones that do offer good quality. But there are a couple of providers who offer an amazing videophone service. Being able to see someone in real time while you re speaking with them especially if they are long distance family and friends is truly a wonderful feature that I have enjoyed, and have enjoyed sharing.

I truly hope this painted a clearer picture of VoIP and

the features and benefits it offers. If you want more info, or have questions, feel free to get in touch with me either one!

Best Regards, Adel

Adel M Refai

Adel is a marketer, a marketing coach, and a fundraising consultant. He is involved with a network marketing company, as well as running a marketing training company - teaching others how to market their businesses for profit; teaching the importance of combining a system with the correct mindset for success.

For information on any of the above, please contact him directly.

You can reach Adel at Adel@DelsTeam.com or 609-947-4881

You can also visit http://ww3.DelsTeam.com to learn more about VoIP, and how to select a good VoIP provider.