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Internet Phone Service
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Internet Phone Service
Using Your Internet Connection to Make Calls
You have a high speed internet connection but if you are simply using it as a faster way to download you favorite music from iTunes you?re not getting the most out of it. With a broadband connection you can eliminate the need for traditional land line through the phone company. You may have heard of voice over internet protocol, voice over IP or VoIP now find out what it is and out how it can work for you.
What is Voice over IP and how does it work?
Voice over IP is a technology that allows you to make phone calls using your broadband connection. Your voice over IP provider converts your calls into data that is transferred through your broadband connection and sounds like a regular phone call to the person on the other end. You can use any type of phone will work because you connect the phone to an adapter from your voice over IP provider.
Advantages of Voice over IP
Voice over IP has several advantages over traditional phone service. First, it generally cost less. Basic plans for traditional phone service usually include the phone line and you have to pay for long distance additional features like call waiting. With voice over IP, most basic plans have a flat rate for all local and long distance calls include all the additional features you enjoy. You can get the calls to your home phone anywhere you have a broadband connection. And just as you can keep you cell phone number if you change providers, you can keep you home phone number when you switch to voice over IP even if you move out of state.
Using Voice over IP
When using voice over IP, you need to be aware that calling 911 is a little different than calling from a land line. When you sign up for voice over IP, you?ll register the location of the phone. The 911 operator knows your location based on where you have registered the phone when you call. So it is important to have updated address information for your account. Also, like other online services, if you lose you internet connection than you will not be able to make calls. It is important to remember that you can always reach 911 by plugging a phone (but not cordless if the power is out) into a regular phone jack regardless of whether you have an account.
If you are looking for an alternative to traditional phone service but you aren?t quite ready to give up the phone in your house and go wireless, voice over IP is a great alternative. You have all the advantages of a home phone with more versatility and lower costs.
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