VoIP HEADSET review :GN NETCOM GN 9350 WIRELESS HEADSET WITH USB CONNECTIONreview

GN NETCOM GN 9350 WIRELESS HEADSET WITH USB CONNECTION

£217.99 inc VAT

Product Description

EXCLUSIVE OFFER The GN 9350 Wireless Voip Headset has been developed to meet the growing demand for wireless office headsets. Providing useful innovation, packed in a sleek design, and easy to use wireless functionality, the GN 9350 is an indispensable business tool for the professional person. The GN 9350 is the industry’s first headset to offer users full convergence between traditional office telephony and computer-based IP telephony (softphones), automatically switching between phones when a call is received so the user never has to think about it. The GN 9350 also offers true wideband audio performance (6.8 kHz wideband sound in IP mode) and incorporates Digital Signal Processing technology, ensuring that users experience high sound clarity. Digital Signal Processing filters out incoming background noise, boosts incoming audio levels and maintains a safe consistent volume throughout the call. In addition, the GN 9350's noise-canceling microphone means that users can be assured that their voice is transmitted clearly even in noisy environments. The GN 9350 is easy to set up and its LCD display controls make it intuitive to use. With digital security encryption, interchangeable batteries for around-the-clock talk time and a range of up to 350 feet users can feel free and secure to roam about their office as they please so they never have to worry about missing a call again. Weighing less than 1 oz. the GN 9350 is one of the smallest and lightest headsets in its class. Its ergonomic design means that the user will hardly notice wearing it. The GN 9350 comes in a black and silver color and offers three different wearing styles to suit individual user tastes. A fantastic solution for those seeking truley wireless freedom. INTERACTIVE PRODUCT SUPPORT Click here to launch

Key Features:


Works with a desk phone and VoIP via a USB
Digital Signal Processing (DSP)
Monitors and adjusts signal volume
Noise cancelling microphone
Range - 350 feet
Digital security encryption
6.8 kHz wideband sound
LCD dispay controls
Interchangeable batteries
'Plug and Play' installation
Wearing options - 3
Wi-Fi friendly
1.9 GHz operating frequency

VoIP Telephony Basics

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) Telephony is the process of routing voice conversations over an Internet Protocol network, rather than through traditional circuit-switched telephone lines. The voice information is converted into digital data packets and then transmitted over an IP network, such as the internet, or a local area network.

The main advantage of VoIP is the fact that it is highly efficient, and thus very affordable. The cost of transferring digital information over an IP telephony network is significantly less than that of transferring analog information over a traditional telephone line. Because of this, VoIP users can make long distance and international calls to anywhere in the world, at any time of day, for a fraction of what an ordinary phone company would charge.

Although call quality was originally a problem for VoIP customers, this issue has improved greatly with today’s progressing technology. Because of the fact that VoIP traffic goes over a broadband line, there is enough bandwidth available to allow for very good sound quality.

As anyone familiar with telecommunications would probably tell you, VoIP Telephony is revolutionizing the way that people around the world make phone calls. More and more people are seeing the benefits of VoIP, and the number of users worldwide is growing at an astounding pace.

If you have a broadband internet connection, and a touch tone telephone, you are fully equipped to set up your very own broadband phone system, and start making use of VoIP Telephony to save money on all your long distance phone calls.

VoIP Telephony Basics
by Jeremy Maddock

VoIP Being Used in the Philippines

Nowadays, very seldom can you find countries without computers. The Philippines is a small country in Asia, and is rather behind compared to already developed countries. But this doesn’t mean that local residents are not aware of the new trends on the net.

There are many problems in the country that needs to be resolved. All the authorities are looking for ways to address the different problems in order to attain progress. And that is why rules and regulations are established for local residents to follow.

The National Telecommunications Commissions or the NTC regulates and addresses all issues concerning telecommunications. And one of the many things that the institution is trying to monitor is VoIP services.

VoIP is not new in the market; in fact, it has been used for a number of years now. But not all people are aware of its services; and what the different providers has to offer. According to the NTC, all VoIP providers are required to place a bond of guaranteed performance, and must have a paid-up minimum capital in order to deliver their services to the people.

You must be aware that there are many scams going on in the Internet. And the NTC is just protecting the people from possible scams. Their effort is geared towards blocking fly-by-night VoIP providers to protect applicants.

Because of this effort, VoIP providers are now required to pass through fixed-line networks of carriers.

A lot of VoIP providers are attracted to the Philippine market because they are aware that many Filipinos are working overseas. And so their families in the country are always making overseas calls. There are at least 8 million overseas Filipino workers, and this is quite a huge market.

The NTC assigned codes to the different companies concentrated in local exchange. According to the guidelines set by the NTC, all in and outbound VoIP should pass the local exchange’s network. Those providers using foreign addresses are prohibited in doing business in the country because they bypass the network.

In the Philippine context, a VoIP provider is an entity or a person who provides VoIP services directly to the people. They may also be resellers who are paid with certain amounts of compensation. They are required to post a performance bond worth five million pesos and having at least a capital of ten million pesos.

The cost of making an international call at present is about $0.40 per minute. And if a person is using VoIP, the cost in making international calls can be greatly reduced to as low as $0.10 or lower per minute. A lot of Filipino families can save as high as 75%.

The NTC further requires that VoIP providers posting performance bonds should be from registered surety companies or insurance companies.

This is one main reason why many VoIP providers are hesitant to make any investment in the Philippines. Many telecommunications companies are claiming that the issue has long been in debate, and that they have rights to provide service in the country at a much lower capital. But they can’t argue with the authorities. The NTC is quite firm as to their rules and regulations. This is only to protect small investors and its local residents as well.

In order for VoIP providers to penetrate the Philippine market, they must comply first with all the requirements set forth by the National Telecommunications Commission. And this is the only time that they can do legal business.

The Philippines has a very large market for overseas calling. Now, almost all current companies are quite competitive in giving their telephone service to many overseas Filipinos. In fact, there are different offers which allow the different families to save in making their international calls.

But if the VoIP providers can penetrate the market, the local residents will benefit greatly because all international calls will surely be much cheaper compared to the current rates being offered. Almost every person welcomes an opportunity to save money, and with VoIP around, there is another option for the people.

All other Asian nations are benefiting from the advantages of VoIP. But soon enough, after the long debates are through, the VoIP providers can do business in the country.

VoIP Vonage Review: VoIP Review

VoIP Review:Vonage Review
Vonage is one of the largest and most popular VoIP or Voice Over Internet Protocol providers. What follows is a balanced report on the pros and cons of choosing Vonage's VoIP Solution.

With the recent explosion of VoIP into the average consumer’s home, a few VoIP providers have come to the forefront of the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) industry. Vonage is arguably the most popular VoIP solution and for good reason. With features and quality that surpass most competitors, the program is unparalleled. The product does have some limitations, however, that make it not the best choice for every consumer.

How it Works

Like all VoIP programs, Vonage requires a DSL or Cable internet connection. Unlike IM based VoIP providers like Skype, Vonage comes with one of two actual handsets that look identical to traditional land based telephones. Both models work quite well, although we found that the Motorola VT1005v offered clearer voice quality than the Linksys RT31P2 model.

Vonage also differs from competitors like Skype in its cost structure. Vonage offers a number of monthly packages, offering allotted minutes or unlimited use. These allotted minutes can be used for calling anyone throughout the US. For calls outside the US, however, there is a long-distance charge applied per minute. Just like with land lines, the rate depends on the location called. But unlike landlines, the rates are always clearly posted, and are much cheaper.

Features

Unlike many of its competitors, Vonage is in the unique position of being able to offer complete land line replacement. With extensive features like 911, call waiting, call forwarding, voice mail, and repeat dial, the service comes with all the features your land line did but at a much lower price. In addition, because Vonage comes with handsets, there is no need to connect your computer to the internet and then start up the program before talking, like there is with IM based programs like Skype. And upon testing, the voice and sound quality was really quite excellent. In my opinion it compares to that of a solid cellular phone connection.

But the biggest benefit of Vonage is its complete compatibility with traditional telephony land lines. Vonage, unlike Skype and others, does not require that you pay or do anything extra to call or receive a call from someone outside the Vonage network. You are given a regular phone number (or can transfer over your own) and can make and receive calls just as if it was a regular phone.

The Downside

So where does Vonage come up lacking. The biggest downside to Vonage is the price. Monthly payments were what drove many people away from land lines in the first place. And though the costs are still quite a bit cheaper than traditional telephony, the prices of its competitors, namely Skype are definitely better. That goes for international calls as well where the prices through Vonage are often 20 to 50% more than competitors.

Taking its limitations into account, however, Vonage is still the best VoIP option out there. The prices at Vonage are a bit higher, but for a reason. Some users may find that Vonage does not meet their needs. However, if you are someone who makes a lot of calls to land line users, which are cheaper through Vonage, or if you are someone who feels more comfortable with a telephone than a computer, then Vonage is definitely for you.

Pros: Clear service, handset included, Toll Free Plus- which turns your Vonage phone number into a toll-free number. Offers enhanced 911 service, and 411 directory assistance, call waiting, call forwarding, 3-way calling, technical support by phone, and free in-network calling.

Cons: Is more costly than alternatives like Skype. Does not offer free domestic long-distance calling.

VoIPCall.net business plan review

VoIPCall business plan,VoIP business plan form VoIPCall.net
VoIPCall offers businesses an alternative choice for all their local & long distance phone service using our Bundled VoIP Telephony Services that includes unlimited local and long distance services for a flat monthly fee per month per SIP phone line/trunk. Monthly service fee includes UNLIMITED calling throughout the US, Canada and Western Europe plus one local or virtual phone number per SIP line/trunk.

Instead of paying for expensive monthly voice lines [including voice-Ts/PRIs] from your local phone company plus the cost of any long distance calls you now pay to your long distance service provider and all those taxes & fees you now get charged each month, VoIPCall can replace those services at a fraction of your current costs and not incur all those extra fees & taxes. One monthly invoice for all these services.

VoIPCall Business Phone Service

1-5 SIP lines/trunks
$49.95/line/month*

6-10 SIP lines/trunks
$44.95/line/month*

11+ SIP lines/trunks
$39.95/line/month*


* Includes unlimited calling to US, Canada & Western Europe and one DID per line/trunk

VoIP Thee Emerging Technology

Changes in technology are opening doors and creating jobs that simply didn’t exist a few years ago. VoIP is one of those areas, and this emerging technology has produced significant changes in the way people communicate. Understanding VoIP is rather difficult for many, but the concept is actually a fairly basic one.

VoIP is the acronym for Voice Over Internet Protocol. Most commonly, the term is written as VoIP (note the small “o”), though there are many other terms that refer to this same process. Telephony is one of those terms, and Broadband telephony is another.

The idea of VoIP is too simply to create a network and then allow people to send all sorts of transmissions across that same network. Consider what that can do to the costs of communicating in some situations.

For example, a large office of a half-century ago would likely have two major methods of communication. There’d be a telephone system that connected all the desks and offices within that building - a network of telephones that may or may not have also been connected to outside lines. But what happened when those workers on the second floor needed to see a report that the workers on the eighth floor had just produced? For that situation, there were usually messengers who had the important task of physically taking those documents, messages and packages from one point in the office to another.

Then personal computers and personal fax machines became affordable and available, effectively replacing the need for messengers in most cases. Email and faxes became the norm, making it possible for those people within a specific network to instantly share those documents and reports. But there was still a need for telephones for those cases in which voice communication was necessary as well.

As technology tends to do, it was probably inevitable that the personal computers and telephones would eventually find more common ground. VoIP is that common ground.

VoIP allows data and voice streaming within a particular network. That network may or may not be limited to a specific building or company, though many companies are finding that it’s a very cost effective way of dealing with the need for data and voice streaming.

The fact that this is typically a very effective and cost effective way of communicating means that more companies are likely to be moving in this direction in the future. For those who are technically adept at understanding VoIP, this means that there will continue to be more jobs in the field. As is the case with computers, it takes some natural ability to be truly adept in this field, but there are also many schools and training facilities ready and able to offer quality programs to prepare you for a career in this field.

As more people and companies understand the potential for effective communication with VoIP, there’s likely to be more career opportunities in the field. If you’re one of those people who understand technology, computers and electronics, you may very well find that this is a perfect field for you.

Benefits of adding VOIP

VOIP technology is on the rise and major corporations are
transferring their business needs over to VOIP and houseolds
worldwide are also switching to VOIP. VOIP is produced by
transferring voice into digital data over the Internet. You can
use VOIP only if you have high-speed href="http://www.xpert4u.co.uk/broadband/broadband.html">broadban
d connection at home. You then need to purchase an equipment
called VOIP phone adapter to use VOIP. The phone adapter will
allow you to use all your telephones with VOIP technology. Also
you may have to purchase a router. Most of the VOIP
providers will supply you with the hardware that is
required. You can even purchase phones designed for VOIP. With
href="http://www.xpert4u.co.uk/broadband/voice-over-IP-providers.
html">VOIP becoming the wave of the future, major companies
have started to integrate VOIP with instant messaging
programs. If you are ready to enjoy unlimited long distance
calling and lower monthly phone bills, a good idea is to make a
list of your needs, wants and features in a phone, compare plans
and choose the service provider that best fits your needs. If
you are still unsure whether VOIP would be right for you,
consider its benefits.



VOIP is cost efficient VOIP is cheaper than other
telecommunication applications. You can use VOIP to reduce cost
on long distance and local telephone calls. Many VOIP
providers have plans that allow unlimited local and long
distance calling.



VOIP integrates your audio, data and video applications VOIP
systems can incorporate your telephone needs with your computer
applications such as email, fax, web conferencing and videophone
needs. This saves time and energy by combining all of the
services into one basic application.



VOIP provides flexibility VOIP users can take their phone
adapters with them, use their telephone number anywhere they
have an access to an Internet connection and enjoy the
advantages of a VOIP technology. If you have high-speed Internet
connection, you can take calls on your regular number.



You can choose your own area codes This is a fantastic
option for those whose friends and family all live in one
particular location and they are outside your current state of
residence. By choosing your family and friends’ area code you
are allowing them to call you, whenever they want to and they
will not have to pay long distance charges.



Free features Some features are bundled with VOIP having
unlimited calling plans.
These features include voice mail, call waiting, call block, and
call forwarding. With VOIP, users can practise great control on
all of their phone features as well as save on charges.



As VOIP technology is advancing, new accessories in VOIP like
VOIP headsets, VOIP headphones are coming in the market.

Benefits of adding VOIP
by Nidhi

Comcast Digital Voice Review: voIp Review

Comcast is one of the most popular communications companies, offering digital cable television, high-speed Internet and VoIP telephony. Although the company’s VoIP service is one of the most expensive on the market, customers should be confident in Comcast’s reliability and prompt customer service. This seems to be a fair trade for those who have had problems with other VoIP companies.

Installation and Interface
Comcast handles all of the installation themselves, sending a technician to the customer’s house upon registration. This is a quick and hassle-free arrangement, comparable to having digital cable or Internet installed. Also, Comcast Digital Voice customers can manage their account online with a user-friendly interface.

Features
Comcast offers many typical features with their VoIP service, including voicemail, caller ID, call waiting, call forwarding, enhanced 911 and more. Combining one’s cable television, Internet and VoIP into one bill is possibly the most desirable feature. Although the cost of Comcast Digital Voice is higher than the average VoIP company, one pays for convenience here.

Performance
Comcast is very consistent with its reliable service, offering clear call quality and trustworthy hardware. Customers can use their existing telephones with Comcast VoIP, so transitioning from landlines to VoIP should be very easy. The sound quality may be even better than before in some areas.

Service and Support
Comcast Digital Voice customer support representatives are available around the clock, via telephone and email. Again, many customers feel that the extra cost with Comcast is well worth the reliable support and service. Overall, this is one of the more trustworthy, high-end VoIP providers. Although not available in all areas, customers who are eligible for Comcast service should at least research the company for possible use.

List of Features Available on Comcast Digital Voice
Support: Free 24/7
Guarantee: N/A
Residential Plan: Yes
Small Business Plan: Yes
411 Service: Included
911 Service: Included Call Return (*69): Included
Call Waiting: Included
Caller ID: Included
Click-to-Call: No
Fax Line (FoIP): Included
International Calling: Yes IP PBX Solution: Yes
Keep Your Number: Available
PC-to-PC Calling: No
PC-to-Phone Calling: No
Virtual Phone Numbers: Available

VoIP Solutions : A Means to Expand Business

The VoIP solution has grown in a way that business as well as residential customers recognise the importance of its high speed internet connectivity. This form of telephony provides low cost, high speed and long distance internet telephony. The reliability and call quality also have improved considerably with the introduction of VoIP telephony.

The IP phones transport data packets over voice over networks. The VoIP solutions provide voice over services to PBX systems and other IP based telephony systems. The user just need high speed internet connection. On availing the services one has to comply with some basic formalities that include: Fixed monthly fee and commitment of at least 3 months. The benefits of this service include: No extra charges for receiving calls and same number can be used to receive two simultaneous calls at the same time.

The VoIP is, nowadays, changing the concept of telephony. Compared to the traditional PBX system, the VoIP telephone is a cutting edge telephony system. It brings immediate benefits of cost saving, savings on monthly phone bills, seamless connectivity and an easy to use system. This has indispensably made the system suitable for business purposes. The Voice Over IP has thus grown to become business VoIP solutions provider.

The VoIP business solution is scalable and so it leaves time and opportunity for a business to expand or contract. The PBX is also configurable and that allows a person to add and modify features of it through an internet site that has security. The system is used for high productivity purposes and can be utilised for a lot of functionalities. It is used for listening to Voice mails, call forwarding and is equipped with individual fax numbers. These facilities allow a business to sustain and grow under it. In fact, it is seen that VoIP solution is cost effective for a medium sized business establishment where one finds 5 to 100 employees. In large establishments, it is generally a norm to find VoIP deployed to meet the business needs.

The VoIP solution provider has enabled businesses to grow with telephony. It has made business expand from single location to multi-locations. The business communication has improved with the option of voice-mail and Queue systems. An online VoIP portal gives the full detail of Queue Reporting Statistics. The Voice over IP solution make it possible to terminate calls within its own telephone networks 'free of cost'. For others, it is low call costs at suitably priced rate.

The VoIP Solutions are the means to achieve high end connectivity. The callers can make calls at an extremely cheap price rate. It is also possible for the users to undertake video conferencing and talk to many people at the same time. So, it helps to meet the communication needs of business establishments.

Resource Pertaining To Voip Generator

VoIP or Voice over Internet protocol is just a simple category of software and hardware that permits the Internet to be used a transmission medium for phone calls. POTS circuits was the only way voice data was sent before the advent of VoIP; now the voice data is sent in packets through the latter. One big benefit of VoIP is that no surcharges are paid for telephone calls online, as the internet connection fee has covered everything.

"Voice over IP is another name for VoIP, and it is basically the means of using internet for placing telephone calls. The two big motivations of this are cost and convenience, conventional phone services are more expensive and are not as fast as VoIP.

The following are some of the benefits you can derive from VoIP:

If you find yourself confused by what you've read to this point about information related to "Voip Generator" or related to "Cable Phone Service", "Cisco 7940 Voip Phones" or "Telefonia Por Internet", don't despair. Everything should be crystal clear about specific or general "Voip Generator" information by the time you finish reading this article.

Affordable telephone calls: Show me the person who would not jump at the chance of reducing the cost of their telephone calls.

Various service providers often offer different packages, while some might provide free unlimited long distance phone calls, while others might charge a token for the same service.

Some additional features can also be obtained without spending a dime:

The features that others charge to provide are often provided at no cost with VoIP services. These features include Voicemail, Call Forwarding, Call Waiting, Call Transfer, etc and they are all free with VoIP.

It is also possible to get features like email and web utilities, which are very great for business, at no cost. Your area code can also be chosen:

A good advantage you can also derive from VoIP is the chance to select your phone numbers and area codes. A good way to retain an old number is to transfer it into a new VoIP service, but if you feel you are not up to it, then you can simply select a new number but it must be based on the area code.


About the Author:
"Warner Cherry" has many revealing, interesting and helpful tips written not just about "Voip Generator" but also those somehow related to "Hosted Solutions", "Anbieter Voip" and "Is Voip Phones".

VoIP PHONE review :SNOM 320 SIP PHONE review

VoIP PHONE review

SNOM 320 SIP PHONE review

Product Description


A 2 x 24 semi-graphic LCD display and menu-driven user interface supports custom branding and easy feature management. 12 programmable keys with LEDs support flexible trunk-access/busy lamp configuration.

A 100-number call memory, 100-number onboard address book (to which data may easily be uploaded), custom call blocking, configurable/downloadable ring-tones, auto-answer mode, DND and other sophisticated features insure convenience and productivity. And the 320's built-in web server supports even simpler end-user configuration, screen dialing, and access to call history.


Key Features:


Two-line display with graphical field
47 keys; 13 LEDs
12 programmable function keys
Speakerphone
Dual Ethernet connection
Power over Ethernet
Headset connection
SIP RFC3261
Security: SIPS/SRTP
STUN; ENUM; NAT; ICE
Compression: G.723.1 and others

Voice over IP VoIP Features

Because with VOIP you can make calls from anywhere you have access to a broadband connection, users can take their IP phones or ATA’s with them on trips and still have access to what is essentially their home phone.

Some people use a softphone to access their VOIP service. A softphone is a specially developed software application that loads the VOIP service onto your desktop computer or laptop. Some even have an interface on the screen that looks like a traditional phone. These softphone applications allow you to place VOIP calls from your laptop; anywhere in the world you have access to a broadband connection.

Most traditional phone companies charge you for extra features that are added to your account. With VOIP service providers these usually come as standard. Features such as:

1. Caller ID

2. Call Waiting

3. Call Transfer

4. Repeat Dialling

5. Return Call

6. Three-Way Dialling

Some VOIP service providers also offer advanced call filtering features. These additional features allow you to decide how calls to a specific number are handled by using caller ID information. They allow you to:

1. Forward the call to a particular number

2. Send the call directly to voicemail

3. Give the caller a busy signal

4. Play a “not-in-service” message

Many VOIP services also allow you to check your voicemail over the internet or attach messages to an e-mail that is sent to your computer or PDA. It’s best to check with VOIP phone system suppliers and service operators exactly what features they offer as package and service prices vary greatly.

There are many other cost saving benefits that arise from a streamlined VOIP phone system network. For the network administrators, a VOIP phone system means they only have one network to maintain instead of two. The portability of the phone system is also greatly simplified. This is because most VOIP phone systems can be configured using a web interface, which can be managed by the network administrator. The MAC (move, add, change) process is made much easier, and you will not have to call your system/service provider for every MAC you carry out. All this means lower ongoing costs for your company.

Another cost saving for companies who implement a VOIP system is, because multiple offices, no matter where they are in the world are seamlessly connected, they can share many of the features VOIP can offer, such as:

1. One single receptionist

2. Auto attendant facilities

3. Voice mail system

Voip Service Review For Business Users

Making phone calls applying a broadband Internet connection,known as VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), is becoming so popular with corporations of each size. The prospect of paying a flat fee for unlimited long-distance phone calls is attractive to each company that has struggled to balance the want to conduct business phone calls with the cost of those calls.

Many companies are finding that installation of VoIP phones is simpler than traditional Private Branch eXchange (PBX) systems, since the desk sets can share the Ethernet cables already in place for the desktop computers. Now, I m going to review 3 most popular Voip Services providers who offer full service products primarily aimed at the small to medium sized business telephone market. Such companies typically support multi-line telephone systems, small PBX gateways and hosted VoIP.

Vonage will bring VoIP service without routing calls through your PC. When you sign higher for its DigitalVoice service, the company gives you a phone number in the area code of your option and sends you a free ashtray-size devices device known as an analog telephone adapter or even ATA. You easily plug the adapter into your network router and attach your phone to the adapter, and you’re ready to produce calls. If you like, you are able to plug the adapter to a wall jack, connecting each phone in the home.

For corporations that want extensions and services that are even more closely identified with PBXs uncovered in the corporate globe, Vonage isn’t a very good option. Its Microscopic Business Project is built on a lone line, similar to a residential line, and does not provide facilities for multiple extensions, call transfers, administrative functions, and the more tasks virtually all corporate users take for granted. 2 more vendors are better suited for the corporate environment.

Vonage Features:

Equipment required: Broadband telephone adapter (included in activation fee) , Motorola VT1005V
$30 activation fee. No contract.
$39.99 termination fee after 14 days (refunded if you return the adapter)
call waiting, caller ID and conference calling.
911 service

TalkSwitch 48-CVA

The TalkSwitch uses your phone company’s existing phone lines and phone numbers to connect to the outside world, but uses your Internet connection to connect to other TalkSwitches in your company’s remote offices. This setup is simple to install and lets you keep your existing phone numbers and lines. It also lets you keep your existing phone bills, since your long-distance calls still travel over your phone-company lines. (Of course, you could replace your traditional phone lines with Vonage lines if your long-distance volume dictates such a move.)

Where TalkSwitch shines is in its features as a PBX and its ability to connect remote offices and treat them as a single phone system. When two or more TalkSwitches connect through the Internet, the company has a virtual PBX. The offices can make calls to one another by dialing extensions that may be in the same office or at a remote office without incurring long-distance charges.

The same connection can be used to make standard calls to phone numbers that are local to the remote office but long-distance from the calling office. I found this feature worked well, but it requires the person making the call to know whether the number is local to the remote office. That’s something many callers won’t make the effort to deal with.

TalkSwitch 48-CVA Features:

Price: $1,795
4 lines in
4 VoIP trunks
8 local extensions
8 remote extensions
Expandable to a 16-line, 32-extension phone system by networking up to four 48-CA or 48-CVA units on the LAN
9 Auto Attendants
26 voice mailboxes
Built-in traditional and VoIP trunks for combined network access
Full-featured PBX telephone system
Customer installable and configurable via PC interface
Works with standard analog cordless or corded phones and TalkSwitch TS 100 phone sets

Packet8 Virtual Office

Packet8 is a service provider. It will bring a “virtual office” by means of a hosted PBX that you are able to attach to from any broadband connection. The equipment consists of 1 DTA and 1 phone for every extension. Minimum configuration for a Packet8 system is 3 extensions, however there appears to be no upper limit to the number of extensions. Every DTA and phone combination costs $100, and there exists a $40 activation fee per line.

Because all the extensions attach to the equivalent PBX, calls to extensions and calls to outside amounts are processed just as they usually are in a corporate office. The phones have a huge LCD with soft-buttons for voicemail, don’t disturb, and each feature you would expect in a corporate PBX. I personally discovered the system elementary to utilise however as well incredibly flexible. Phone functions are managed applying the phone’s LCD and its buttons, while extension assignment, routing, auto-attendant, and system-related functions are managed through the PBX’s Web interface.

Packet8’s sound quality was incredibly fantastic. Calls between Packet8 VoIP lines were clear with no noticeable delay. Calls between Packet8 VoIP phones and standard phone lines were equally clear. The quality of the overall system was even more than acceptable.

This is the kind of system that fits any virtual office whose employees require to produce lots of long-distance calls. The Packet8 system is particularly well suited to today’s distributed virtual businesses. The fact that all the extensions are section of the equivalent system and operate as a seamless phone system puts a consolidated face on the distributed office.

Packet8 Virtual Office Features:

Price: $40 per extension per month, plus setup costs of $100 for equipment and $40 activation fee per line
Unlimited calling within the U.S. and Canada
Full-featured conference bridge for up to 20 participants
Auto-Attendant
Voicemail with message forwarding and e-mail notification
Call transfer and automatic call forwarding
3-way conferencing
Music/messaging on hold
Distinctive ringing for internal/external calls
Caller ID and call-waiting caller ID
Stutter tone notifications
Call park/call pick-up

Voip Service Review For Business Users
by Rashme Wong

VoIP vs Analog phone

Many people today prefer VoIP to Analog phones. Analog or traditional phones are losing the battle against VoIP when it comes to cost effectiveness, standards, quality, and ease of use. VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol and VoIP is the technology that transmits voice as packet files over the Internet. This is known as the Packet Switching Network. Standard Analog phones use the Circuit Switching Network and the entire landline Analog telephone system is referred to as the Public Switched Telephone Network.

The main difference between Packet Switching and Circuit Switching, is that Packet Switching uses (data) or Packets and sends them over the Internet while Circuit Switching is accomplished by using electrical circuits to make a telephone connection. Circuit Switching is like the old switchboard operators, wearing headsets frantically trying to connect the right caller with the receiver. Packet Switching is used to transfer data all across the Internet- it is used for E-mail.

Many people are choosing VoIP over Analog because of the many benefits that it offers.
The calling features that usually come with your Analog service for a fee are often included for free with your VoIP service. These include features such as Call Waiting, Call Forwarding, Call Block, Three-Way- Calling, Voice Mail, * 69 and more. Another benefit to VoIP services include the fact that many providers will let you keep your existing phone number, or allow you to select a new area code. Selecting a new area code has great appeal to many people. For instance, a customer can select an area code for the same town where most of his friends or family live. By choosing this area code, not only is he still getting a great deal with his VoIP services, but also now his family and friends will save money whenever they call. For them, it will be a local and not a long distance call.

VoIP is also preferred by many businesses as their method of telecommunications.
Businesses prefer the flexibility, freedom, and cost effectiveness offered by VoIP as compared to Analog service providers. Businesses today depend upon telecommunications. Whether it is Internet, E-mail, Customer Service through telephone, online web applications, and E-mail, or whatever your IT business needs may be, VoIP offers to handle all of your needs with one application. Additionally, this reduces cost and increases productivity. VoIP also has combined with software applications that are perfect for many business needs. Software such as accounting programs, Email, and PC based applications help to save money by combining services.
The reduction in long distance charges is another great advantage for switching to VoIP for business needs. By combining data, video, and audio needs, companies save on bandwidth usage, which ultimately leads to financial savings.

Businesses are also opting for VoIP in their Call Centers. VoIP is slowly becoming the standard choice for Call Centers. VoIP offers some major benefits for Call Centers such as flexibility, cost efficiency, and enhanced customer service applications. For instance, in the past, a Call Center needed to be a stabilized facility equipped with many phone lines used by people who would physically be located in the Call Center. By using VoIP for your Call Center, not only is your main location easily relocated as your business expands, but you can hire employees virtually world wide. Larger companies take advantage of VoIP Call Centers by outsourcing work overseas where they can hire employees for less. The Integration of data, audio, and web-based features is another reason why businesses are opting for VoIP. Customer service calls are handled more efficiently with the integration of these three components. Not only are calls transferred more proficiently, but also greater care can be given to customers when Call Centers use integrated software platforms.

More Call Centers are taking advantage of the opportunity to hire employees world wide through VoIP services. Employees may work in different time zones, giving greater customer service benefits year round, and hiring home based employees is another way businesses are choosing to save money. VoIP provides solutions for businesses that Analog just simply does not address.

Most people prefer VoIP over Analog, and the future points to the fact that VoIP will only increase in popularity.

VoIP and local phone service

With VoIP technology entering the mainstream, it brings the
possibilities or huge profits for the companies that provide the
service. The current promise of cost savings is driving more and
more residential and business users to investigate this
technology. But the local telephone companies are not going to
give up customers without a fight.



There is a current mandate by the US federal government that all
VoIP providers offer E911 service. The initial blocking of this
information was with the public switched telephone network
maintained by the major telephone companies



The next stumbling block is ‘naked DSL’ or DSL access without
local phone service. This service is rare, but without it a
residence would not be able to use VoIP as their primary phone
service mechanism. You see, DSL is running over your existing
phone line provided by your local telephone company. Drop your
local phone service and you’ll probably drop your broadband DSL
access as well. (Cable broadband access is a viable solution
here and the increased cost in cable access should be offset by
the reduction on your monthly phone bill)



These are just two fronts in the battle over VoIP. Should
companies be compensated for the infrastructures they build?
Should E911 service be ‘free’ and offered as a public service?
What about the existing phone service run into our homes? Who
pays for those lines to be laid and hooked into the public
switched telephone network?



There really are no easy answers to the questions above. The
phone companies are not about to give up customers without a
fight. They have years and billions of dollars spent in building
one of the most reliable communications networks ‘currently’
known to us.



Is VoIP the next step in the evolving communications industry?
How will this play out with phone companies offering internet
and TV services and cable providers offering phone and internet
service? The line is being blurred and yet the technology pushes
forward.



I don’t have the answers, only questions. I know how I’d like to
see it all play out, but alas, there is no Nirvana and no, it
would seem we all cannot get along. Not when there’s literally
billions of dollars at stake. There will be winners and losers
as this war rages on, but it is my hope that we, the end users,
will, in the end, be better for it. After all, we’ve been down
this path many times before and it’s turned out ok.



Remember the advent of the PC and where we’ve gone since then?
Remember the first bulky cellular phones vs. what’s available
today? Yes, TV’s, radios, computers, phones the list goes on.
Technology advances will continue to push us into new
directions. I’m sure that in the end, VoIP will be as
commonplace as the home computer.



We can leverage this technology today in a cost effective
manner. Like any technology how you implement VoIP will make the
difference. Whether you’re a residential or business user, there
can be an immediate benefit. Check with your communications
broker to find out if your existing phone needs can be met cost
effectively with VoIP.

VOIP For Your Business

Many businesses are considering VOIP for their telephone businees needs. Many don’t know exactly when they should consider it an option for them. Many do not understand how it differs from regular telephone service and how the two differ.

Many companies are now beginning to look into alternatives to high priced telephone systems currently in use. They are realizing that there are huge benefits financially to those switching over to VOIP. They are realizing there is greater functionality with VOIP as well as cost savings and room for growth.

The simple basics of VOIP is that it uses high speed internet lines to carry voice traffic instead of telephone lines.

There are two basic technologies.

IP telephony runs over a local area network also known as a LAN. this is a very cost effective way for communicating within an organization. It allows voice transmissions between people within a company who are part of an internal network.

VoIP is carried over a wide area network also know as a WAN. VoIP can be used to transmit voice through a WAN (such as the internet) or carry voice over a public WAN (such as the Internet) or a private WAN, which provides enhanced security for communications.

Why would a business consider making this change?

Large companies currenly use PBX systems. This is a private phone system within an organization. Users work with a certain number of lines for all external calls.

Some companies use a cental office exchange service know as Centrex, which is basically a PBX in which all routing occurs not on a company’s premises, but at the local telephone company.

Some use “Key systems”, which are very small PBXs, designed primarily for small offices.

These systems all share the same problem. When it comes to long distance the costs are enormous. As more and more this becomes a global world, long distance becomes a major necessity and this means one thing…large long-distance bills, Coupled with this these systems are difficult to change or expand with company growth and are unsuited to support more technically advanced communications. Because these systems are based upon proprietary technologies, companies are limited to only what the phone companies provide.

VOIP services make this a thing of the past. As VOIP gains popularity among companies seeking more cost effective services these antiquated phone systems are slowing disappearing. Expansion of services will be a breeze because of the technology involved with VOIP.

Companies will benefit from reduced overall costs as IP-based voice technology can virtually eliminate toll calls. It also slashes the cost of making add-ons, moves and changes to the system.

Enhanced functionality. VOIP offers all the options that callers are used to using such as call waiting, caller ID, unified messaging, directory services and vertical-specific applications. In addition, VOIP is a standard, open protocol, allowing companies to build their own audio applications or purchase other applications that will come from software developers.

Easy Expanion. As your company expands and grows this cost effective system will allow for expansion with very little cost.

Easy To Use. With VOIP, employees wil have many options–they can use a VOIP phone that is identical to a regular desk phone or use a “softphone” which loads into desktops, laptops or PDAs as software. Added benefit is that they will be able to use their telephone number in any location.

In time VOIP networks will become even more usefull as it will be able to support the convergence of data, video and voice services. This will enable companies to be ready for a plethora of multimedia applications that are emerging from developers. VOIP technology will give guaranteed levels of reliability, quality of service and security.

VOIP is now a fully developed technology, providing companies with a valuable voice system today, and allowing for the latest technological advances that will develop in the future.

Companies need to get in on the ground floor to take advantage of all the new technology that is coming and the savings it will afford.
VOIP For Your Business
by Jean Sutherland

Is Your VOIP Service Secure

For individuals, VOIP security is primarily a matter of preventing others from eavesdropping on their conversations. Some VOIP service providers offer voice security through encryption or separate data routes.

Regular precautions for transferring files should, of course, always be followed. A firewall should be in place for protecting your computer from the internet and any data or program that is downloaded should be checked for viruses.

But users should reealize that VOIP hardware devices are inherently more vulnerable to attack. Some types of equipment can be made unstable or inoperable when they receive certain types of data. Some internet phones are also susceptible to data piracy, revealing private information under certain conditions.

While this probably won’t be of much concern when you’re calling Uncle Tim, it is a huge concern for businesses that consistently use telephone communication for discussing sensitive business information. As VOIP popularity increases, security is becoming a growing concern and is now receiving widespread attention.

Security Issues

It’s mainly businesses that need to be concerned with security issues related to VOIP. They are more susceptible to the Denial of Service (DOS) attacks and other forms of obnoxious hacking because many businesses operate personal gateways and other equipment for connecting to the internet.

There are several security issues associated with VOIP. Eavesdropping is an understandable fear with both regular and VOIP calls, but there are additional concerns unique to this technology. Since VOIP data is traveling across the internet just like any other kind of data, it is vulnerable to the same types of attacks. Hackers have countless software tools available to them to retrieve information being transmitted over the internet. These tools are as effective with voice data as with any other kind of data.

Another security threat is the possibility of sending viruses with VOIP data. This hasn’t surfaced yet, but viruses could potentially overload VOIP networks, reduced sound quality and create delays.

VOIP isn’t secure against spam either. This refers to receiving unsolicited marketing calls from companies selling their goods and services.

There are several points in the transmission of VOIP calls that hackers can use to recover information. In additin to retrieving actual conversations, they can also access critical information such as user identities and VOIP phone numbers. With this information, a hacker can place phone calls using someone else’s identity.

Attackers could also record phone calls while eavesdropping on conversations and even potentially restructure voice data to create discussions that never actually existed! Log files could also be accessed and altered.

There are ways currently available that address such security issues. The first is with encryption that provides the same sort of security used in sending credit card information over a secure data connection. The second is to separate VOIP data from other internet traffic by using a Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN). Both methods can degrade call quality, but they present an alternative for sensitive calls.

Is Your VOIP Service Secure
by Ron King

How Wireless VoIP Phones Work

The functioning of wireless VoIP phones is similar to that of
regular VoIP phones but Wireless VoIP phones combine VoIP
technology and Wi-Fi (wLAN) systems. Users need to be in the
range of the wireless node in order to make and receive calls.
And when they are in the Wi-Fi’s reach, they are able to do a
lot of the same calling functions enabled by regular desktop
VoIP phones. When one is already equipped with a wireless local
area network as well as VoIP phones, adding wireless VoIP phones
can be a logical step.



Wireless VoIP phones are also known as VoWLAN or voice over
wireless local network areas and Wi-Fi phones. The working of
wireless VoIP phones involves a data network to which Wi-Fi
equipment is connected. The network itself can either be
independent, or connected to the Internet or the public phone
system. The equipment enables high-speed wireless connection to
unlimited access points.



Each access point has an antenna to catch the signal from the
Wi-Fi equipment and broadcast it in a 300-foot radius or a hot
spot. Within the radius all Wi-Fi enabled laptops, personal
digital organizers and wireless phones can tune into the signal.



In wireless VoIP phones, the voice is converted into segments
of data for transmission from the phone antenna to the Wi-Fi
radio waves and then received by the data network. Here the data
segments reverse the process to reach an extension or the
traditional phone network. In other words, an extension can be
carried around.



Although there is no argument about wireless VoIP phones being
advantageous, they have their share of shortcomings as well.
Fore one, they can not yet completely replace hard-wire VoIP
phones mainly due to lack of reliability and the limited
functions of wireless phones currently available in comparison
to desktop phones.



However the biggest disadvantage in wireless VoIP phones is the
limit on the number of simultaneous calls that can be made. The
maximum number of calls in each wireless system cannot exceed
five or ten. This seriously undermines its call handling
capability in a large corporate environment.



Nevertheless, the dramatic reduction in operational costs has
made it possible for wireless operators with high quality
compressed VoIP to bring the ease and comfort of cordless
calling to the VoIP world.

How Wireless VoIP Phones Work
By Punks Johnston

VoIP Phone Reviews

VoIP is the fastest growing internet communication service. With features and services not normally found in traditional landlines, it is fast becoming the number one choice of people.

At first, people have been skeptical to use VoIP but soon found out the effectiveness and convenience of VoIP.

VoIP phones are now changing people’s perspective on the use of telephone. If you want a phone, it can be a good choice.

VoIP offers standard features that regular landline phones often charges extra. For instance, free or low cost long distance calls are often not available in regular landlines. This is because VoIP uses the internet to make a call. Since the internet offers free information, and fast communication, VoIP phones take advantage of this feature to transmit the calls free.

With a VoIP phone, you can take your personal number wherever you are. You can make and receive phone calls from your number even if you are traveling as long as there is an active internet connection to where you are going.

There are many VoIP broadband phone provider in the market today, choosing the right one would be very beneficial for your business or personal for your use.

Here are some of the things you should look for when choosing VoIP service providers:

Audio Quality
Recent advancement in technology allows better sound quality with reduced noise. This means that a VoIP service provider should have excellent audio quality when making calls. If you experience lags or delays in your phone calls, you should think twice before subscribing to the company another time.

Little or no delay transmission is needed for your voice to reach the person you are calling. A one-second delay can mean the difference of making a simple answer of “yes” or “no”. Remember that voice delays can mean misunderstanding, and precise answers are extremely important in businesses.

Reliability
Imagine making an important business deal or talking to your family and friends and your call is suddenly cut off. This is a bad sign that your service provider is not making sure that you get your money’s worth.

Get a VoIP service provider that offers maximum reliability and free try out periods to ensure you that they give the best service to their subscribers. Although cheap rates are attractive, try their services first before committing.

Customer Service
VoIP service providers should offer customer support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This can help you if you ever have problems using VoIP.

The customer assistance service should be quick and take care of their subscribers immediately after making the call. Know if the VoIP service providers you are planning on subscribing have customer assistance. Customer service can be found in the VoIP service providers or by calling them.

Features
VoIP service providers should offer standard features like; free long distance calls, emails, fax, web conferencing, and videophone and others for no extra fee at all. Still quite a few VoIP service providers out there charge for these extra features. Get a VoIP service provider that offers maximum standard features free.

Price
VoIP is supposed to be free or cheap. Get a VoIP service provider that offer free long distance and low monthly payments. Make sure that not only it should be cheap but also offers quality service. Most providers offer trial periods, use this to determine if it is worth spending you hard earned cash.

However convenient it might be to own a VoIP phone, there are still drawbacks for it. For example, you should have a high-speed internet connected.

Since VoIP phones depends on your internet connection, this means that disconnected internet, no VoIP service. Slow internet connection is also a factor. With slow internet connection, expect audio delays.

It is wise that before getting a VoIP phone, you should determine that the internet connection in your area is broadband and reliable.

Here are some of the top VoIP service providers:

Vonage
Sunrocket
VoIP.net
Time Warner Cable
Packet8

If the following companies do not cover your area, you can always find VoIP providers in your area. Just make sure they offer quality services and choose one used by your family and friends so you can call them free, wherever they are.

VoIP Phone Reviews
by Bob Hett

IP Telephony VoIP The Syllogistic Fallacy

To the telephony novice, the world of modern communication can be an intimidating place. In a world so acronym-laden and thick with trade-jargon, it can be tough to know just what it is that you’re reading about in the first place. If you’re a small business-person, it’s even worse (and let’s face it, who else is reading this?): not only are you supposed to be familiar with these technologies, you’re expected to be able to make informed decisions regarding their use and implementation.

Faced with the daunting array of telecommunications options, you’ve turned to that trusted informant and advisor of the contemporary techno-savvy citizen, the Internet. A quick search for ‘IP Telephony’ or ‘VoIP’ will reveal that it’s easy to find virtual heaps of “information” about VoIP or IP phones (try it now!), but it will also present as many problems as it solves. On the one hand you’ve got the technical articles that immediately lose the reader in thick forests of acronyms that only the technologically initiated can sift through, and on the other (in much greater abundance) you’ll get hundreds of thousands of matches (seriously, try it) which at best are links to places to buy something and at worst are thinly veiled advertisements, clumsily disguised as informative articles.

On the Internet, as in the rest of life, nothing is free. The problem is that every company would love for you to believe that the “quality” content they churn out is an act of pure altruism for the benefit of the consumer at large. I won’t insult your intelligence by pretending that I don’t have an ulterior motive. But today, friends, is your lucky Internet-browsing day! That fact that I’m not pitching any particular brand of anything gives me the rare opportunity to furnish information that I think you might actually find useful. Now that I’ve gained your trust, let me proceed.

So what exactly is IP Telephony, and how is it differentiated from VoIP? If you refer back to your hypothetical search, you’ll find that most companies simply don’t distinguish between the two - it’s just another synonym that their copywriters can use to avoid using the term “VoIP” too often. But there is a difference. IP Telephony, in it’s strictest sense, refers to the use of VoIP, likely in conjunction with other products and services, in a company’s communications network.

Let me put it another way. If a company is advertising VoIP and raving about what it can do for your business, take a good look at what it is they’re offering to sell you. All that VoIP means by itself is the capability to send voice data over digital lines. This could be as simple as a media gateway, or an IP enabled phone. IP Telephony depends upon VoIP, but VoIP is not IP Telephony.

Don’t get me wrong - this is a powerful tool, but by itself it is by no means the business revolution that is so often billed. If all you’re looking for is a way to cut down long-term telephone costs a little, that maybe all you need. Most companies, however, are looking for something a little more useful.

All the fancy extras that you’ll hear about - vemail, virtual call centers, mobile technology integration, and so on - are actually facets of an IP Telephony platform. IP Telephony refers to the actual service - the package deal from a provider including software, hardware, and knowledge that gives you something more than an advanced phone or a specialized router. When you really think about it, the idea of a company offering to sell you VoIP is an absurd one. That would be like a company advertising TCP/IP or trying to sell the concept of packet switching.

Most websites advertising VoIP are simply trying to capitalize of off a trendy buzzword. It is rare to find an actual IP Telephony platform for sale other than the industry standard (which for reference is Avaya IP Office), though they do exist. One such is a small business-oriented virtual call center affair by the company GotVMail called VirtualOne.

But of course, it’s not that simple. There is no standard differentiation in the terms observed by all technology providers (there seem to be few standards on the Internet at all), and this will inevitably lead to confusion. Many companies are as already noted simply trying to sell you an expensive phone by impressing you with the word VoIP, but some more legitimate businesses simply refer to their entire IP Telephony platform as “VoIP service.” Frustrating. It would be nice if we could trust companies to be honest with us, but it’s simply not the case. In the end, the burden of research falls squarely upon the consumer. Good luck.

IP Telephony VoIP The Syllogistic Fallacy
by David Roberts

Why Business Should to VoIP

VoIP is perfect for Call Centers



VoIP is slowly becoming the standard choice for Call Centers.
VoIP offers some major benefits for Call Centers such as
flexibility, cost efficiency, and enhanced customer service
applications. For instance, in the past, a Call Center needed to
be a stabilized facility equipped with many phone lines used by
people who would physically be located in the Call Center. By
using VoIP for your Call Center, not only is your main location
easily relocated as your business expands, but you can hire
employees virtually world wide. Larger companies take advantage
of VoIP Call Centers by outsourcing work overseas where they can
hire employees for less.



The Integration of data, audio, and web based features is
another reason why businesses are opting for VoIP. Customer
service calls are handled more efficiently with the integration
of these three components. Not only are calls transferred more
proficiently, but also greater care can be given to customers
when Call Centers use integrated software platforms.



More Call Centers are taking advantage of the opportunity to
hire employees world wide through VoIP services. Employees may
work in different time zones, giving greater customer service
benefits year round, and hiring home based employees is another
way businesses are choosing to save money.



VoIP is better for Mobile Employees



Many companies employ mobile workers. Mobile Employees have
typically used cell phones at the company’s expense to stay in
touch during the day. By utilizing VoIP Mobile Employees can
remain virtually connected with the company, and the company
saves money on fees.



When mobile employees rely on cell phones, many times a customer
will call the main office, only to hear a message or be told the
worker’s cell phone number. This requires the customer to hang
up and call the employee on their cell phone- increasing the
chance that the employee will lose the sale. By using VoIP, a
call is instantly routed to the mobile employee and productivity
increases.



Since VoIP integrates many other technologies, including E-mail,
mobile employees are able to conduct many more transactions with
one application.



VoIP Reduces Cost



Businesses today depend upon telecommunications. Whether it is
Internet, E-mail, Customer Service through telephone, online web
applications, and E-mail, or whatever your IT business needs may
be, VoIP offers to handle all of your needs with one
application. Additionally, this reduces cost and increases
productivity. VoIP also has combined with software applications
that are perfect for many business needs. Software such as
accounting programs, Email, and PC based applications help to
save money by combining services.



The reduction in long distance charges is another great
advantage for switching to VoIP for business needs. By combining
data, video, and audio needs, companies save on bandwidth usage,
which ultimately leads to financial savings.



VoIP allows Real Time Global Conferencing



Global conferencing and training can put a burden on a business.
Attempts to reach employees worldwide are not only expensive but
time consuming as well. With VoIP technology businesses can
avoid conferencing costs, and enable secure audio and
videoconferences to offices worldwide. By reducing long distance
costs, employees are also taking advantage of calling each other
and corporate headquarters more frequently.



VoIP offers Flexibility that Ultimately Increases Productivity
VoIP allows greater flexibility. By using a standard VoIP Phone
Adapter, you are able to take your telephone number with you.
This allows greater productivity by allowing employees to
conduct business overseas, while traveling, staying in hotels,
etc. Your customers will be able to call you on your regular
business phone number, and you won’t have to use your cell
phone.



Many VoIP services are fully integrated with PC applications
such as fax and email. There is greater productivity when
employees can integrate their email and phone services with one
application. Conduct business with VoIP on your laptop, any time
day or night.



With the option to get VoIP phone numbers with area codes
throughout the country, and some world wide, businesses can
expand by choosing local area codes for the city, state, or
country they are targeting.

Why Business Should Switch to VoIP
by Olivia Tan

Charter Review: VoIP review

Charter Communications is a media company that provides residential customers and business owners with digital cable, high-speed Internet and VoIP telephony. Basic features are free of charge and customers can easily combine all of their communications bills in one when using Charter.

Installation and Interface
Customers will not have to purchase any hardware or peripherals to use Charter’s VoIP service. In fact, no installation is required on the customer’s part, either. This is all done by a Charter technician. Customers will use their existing modem, wall jacks and phones, making the transition from landlines to VoIP very seamless.

Features
Charter offers many features at no addition charge, including caller ID, call waiting, call forwarding, call screening, anonymous call rejection, speed dial 8, 411 service, 911 service and more. Customers will also have unlimited minutes to make calls to the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.

Performance
Charter’s VoIP service offers crystal clear digital sound, no matter where the person is dialing. With free professional installation and a seamless transition to IP telephony, customers shouldn’t notice any difference between their landline and VoIP telephone service. There is no disruption in service when making a switch, either, which is a great benefit to both residential and business users.

Service and Support
Charter offers award-winning customer service and support. Trained, friendly professionals are available via live Internet chats, a toll-free number or email. Having several options is rare with smaller VoIP companies, so this is one of the many benefits of going with a large, well-known company. Charter is not available in all areas, but those who are eligible for the service should be pleased with the company’s VoIP telephony.

List of Features Available on Charter
Support: Free 24/7
Guarantee: 30-day money back
Residential Plan: Yes
Small Business Plan: Yes
411 Service: Included
911 Service: Yes Call Return (*69): Included
Call Waiting: Included
Caller ID: Included
Click-to-Call: Yes
Fax Line (FoIP): Included
International Calling: Yes IP PBX Solution: No
Keep Your Number: Available
PC-to-PC Calling: No
PC-to-Phone Calling: No
Virtual Phone Numbers: No

How Does VoIP Work? Understanding The Basics

How does VoIP work? Like many people, you may have already heard of VoIP. If you weren't born in this decade, you may still wonder what it really is. What can VoIP do for you and how exactly is it useful?

Basic Concept

VoIP stands for voice over internet protocol. These days, it is considered an alternative to the typical method of communication involving telephones. Instead of using telephone sets that transmit analog signals, VoIP converts these signals to digital chunks. These are reconverted to audio data when it reaches the recipient. The entire transmission happens over the internet. Although VoIP technology is still far from being preferred and considered standard, some people think that VoIP will eventually replace telephones. It could very well be the next step in communications technology.

The Specifics

So how does VoIP work exactly? VoIP is best understood by understanding typical phone calls first. Regular phone calls make use of what is called circuit switching. When you make a call, your call is passed through a series of switches starting from your phone carrier. Once the other party answers the call, the circuit between the two of you is opened.

Instead of circuit switching VoIP uses packet switching. In this technology, your voice is converted to little packets of data. These packets of data come with their instructions of where they should be sent. They are then sent through a variety of possible routes. They take the nearest router and are passed on to succeeding routers until they reach the recipient. When the packets are received, they are reassembled into a form that can be understood.

Advantages of VoIP

VoIP can offer all the features and benefits of a phone service. Its advantage over traditional phones is that VoIP calls can be made from almost any part of the world. Wherever there is an internet connection, you can have VoIP. The technology can provide cheaper calls than standard telephone technology. This is mainly because VoIP does away with costly circuit switching.

Disadvantages of VoIP

VoIP can be fast, convenient and cheap. It has, however its own disadvantages. These disadvantages are basically due to: (1) the current reliance of present systems on telephone technology; and (2) the shortcomings that plague computer technology.

Telephone Connections - Such services for example as security and cable still rely on telephone connections. Unless the whole country or world agrees to switch to VoIP, these services are likely to stick to their old methods.

This is not the biggest concern though. Since VoIP relies on internet technology, it is also susceptible to the problems that confront the internet and computers. You can therefore expect such problems as viral attacks, crashes and stolen packets.

Now you know the basic answer to how does VoIP work. In reality, this piece of technology does hold a lot of potential. Like everything else, the old ways of communicating over long distances can change. VoIP is the first logical shift that can be taken. It may take a long time however, before VoIP can become a fully integrated and snag free system.

How Does VoIP Work? Understanding The Basics
By Torrie Cantor

Pertaining To Voip

In case you have been wondering what Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) means, it is just a category of hardware and software that allows the internet to be used as a transmission medium for telephone calls. The traditional means of sending voice data by POTS circuits is no longer in vogue, and this system have been replaced by VoIP, which sends voice data in packets. Because telephone calls online does not attract surcharges beyond what users have paid as internet connection fee, VoIP is considered to be very advantageous.

VoIP or "Voice over IP "is basically used for utilising either an intranet or the internet for telephone calls. The two big motivations of this are cost and convenience, conventional phone services are more expensive and are not as fast as VoIP.

The following is a summary of the benefits of VoIP:

Those of you not familiar with the latest information related to "Voip" or related to "Click 2 Call", "Voip Phones Us" or "Como Configurar Telefone Voip" now have at least a basic understanding. But there's more to come that is more specific or general to "Voip".

Freedom to make cheap calls: It is doubtful if anyone would not jump at the opportunity of making phone calls at reduced rate.

The different service providers offer various packages; while some might charge a small fee for long distance calls, another set can decide to offer the same service for zero amount.

Extra features can also be obtained at no additional charge:

Features others provide for a fee are often offered for free with VoIP services. These VoIP features include Voicemail, Call Forwarding, Call Transfer, Call Waiting, etc.

Other stuff you can get free of charge and for business purpose includes email and web utilities. The tendency to pick your area code also exists:

Phone numbers and area codes can be chosen with VoIP services. Any one who wants to maintain their existing number have two choices; transfer the number to the fresh VoIP service, or pick a new one based on the area code.


About the Author:
"Eleanore Cattley" has many revealing, interesting and helpful tips written not just about "Voip" but also those somehow related to "Networking Security", "Astra Voip Phones" and "Panasonic Voip Phones".

Nokia 6300i with mobile VoIP

The Nokia 6300i, of course, is nothing more than a modified version of the Nokia 6300. The Nokia 6300i which Nokia has just announced integrates a mobile VoIP capability on the old affordable candybar phone. With the mobile VoIP capability, you can connect to wireless networks for some mobile internet browsing. The Nokia 6300i also has capacity to store 2,000 VoIP, home and cell phone numbers. And if you suffer from short-term memory loss, its dedicated VoIP and WLAN icons tell you whether you're using GSM or VoIP network.

Nokia E61 Dual Mode VoIP WiFi Phone Review

For people that are looking for the same Nokia reliability with a bit of a different touch on the design elements of the actual unit itself, the Nokia E61 might be the phone for you. It is valued at a price that is actually right around the same price as the Nokia E60, but the main difference between the two is the fact that the Nokia E61 has additional features that make it very similar to the blackberry.

And indeed, the Nokia E61 is very comparable to the blackberry even to the point that a number of former blackberry customers have switched to the E61 after seeing just how well it performs. The major thing that the Nokia E61 is responsible for improving over the blackberry is the access to mobile e-mail. In addition to that, there is a nice widescreen format that includes a QWERTY keyboard built-in and additionally features outside of the screen such as a voice recorder and a music player. There are many ways that you can use this just like a blackberry and the added phone quality is something that appeals to a lot of potential customers.

As far as the actual VoIP experience goes, the E61 is a fantastic phone. Firstly, it operates dually either in GSM mode or alternatively in VoIP mode via the use of WiFi technology. It also has infrared technology installed onto it and happens to be unlocked so that you can use it with whatever network you happen to like. All of these design elements were built into the phone to give it the maximum amount of versatility possible and in that sense it is extremely cost effective.

To make it even easier for people that are interested in VoIPing with the phone itself, in most cases all you need to do is make use of the over-the-air-provisioning (OTAP) feature and a simple text message to get the phone set up with whatever VoIP service you happen to use.

To sweeten the deal even more, the Nokia E61 also comes with intelligent call forwarding, which when activated allows you to get your phone calls even when you happen to be outside the range of any WiFi networks in the area. Most merchants will also sell it with a prepay SIM card so you don't have to go through the added trouble of getting that yourself.

As far as the actual design of the phone, it has a nice and sleek design that makes the combination blackberry and cell phone look quite fashionable and a silver colour that is absolutely to die for. The keys on the front of the blackberry make it very easy to manipulate all the controls and everything is set up with the same logic and ease of use that consumers have come to expect from the Nokia brand. All in all, the Nokia E61 is definitely worth the price you pay for it and is probably also worth a lot more than what you would ever end up paying.

Nokia revives N80 3G smart phone for VoIP

Nokia will next month ship a revised version of its N80 smart phone, the mobile phone giant said today. Dubbed the N80 Internet Edition, the upcoming 3G handset appears to be little more than a software upgrade over the current 'non-Internet' version.

Like the its predecessor, the N80 Internet Edition is a quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE slider phone with 3G. It has 802.11g Wi-Fi on board, along with Bluetooth. The chunky 9.5 x 5 x 2.6cm, 134g device also packs in a three megapixel camera, 40MB of memory, an FM radio and enough battery capacity to provide up to three hours' talk time and eight days' operation in stand-by mode. It sports a 2.1in, 352 x 416, 262,144-colour display.

Building on the original N80's software bundle, the new version of the phone adds Nokia's "enhanced" web browser which, along with the handsets other internet apps is stored in a new folder called, appropriately enough, Internet. In it, buyers will find a new Wi-Fi set-up Wizard, Amazon.com's MobiPocket eBook reader and the newly announced Yahoo! Go! mobile app.

Nokia also said the N80 Internet Edition has the VoIP-oriented Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) built in - as the picture above shows. Since SIP isn't used by Skype, don't expect to use the N80 to chat for free to your Skype Buddies.

Nokia Introduces VoIP Server

Introducing the Nokia VoIP Server to provide IP voice service in fixed and mobile networks.
Espoo, Finland - At Broadband World Forum 2005 in Madrid, Nokia reinforces its leadership in the convergence of fixed and mobile networks with a comprehensive portfolio of solutions for operators and service providers, including the Nokia VoIP Server for IP-based voice service.
The Fixed-Mobile Convergence (FMC) solution that Nokia is showcasing in Madrid offers fixed, mobile and hybrid operators a smooth evolution from today's networks to the next-generation networks of tomorrow. The end-to-end Nokia FMC solution enables wireline operators to offer new services and connectivity within the fixed network domain. It gives subscribers the means to enjoy the same service experience independent of access, such as fixed networks, DSL, cellular or WLAN and UMA.
As a further enhancement to this strong offering, the Nokia VoIP Server widens the Nokia Unified Core Network portfolio of solutions with a carrier-grade, standards-based solution for providing voice over IP services in converged networks. The Nokia VoIP Server is currently being trialled by a number of key operators and will be available for volume deployments in the first half 2006.
"Service providers in this changing business environment are looking for ways to increase revenue and efficiency, reduce customer churn and create a strong market position," says Jussi Ilmarinen, Director, Convergence Marketing & Sales, Networks, Nokia. "The ubiquitous uptake of broadband services is opening new opportunities for the use of VoIP. Fixed operators can leverage their competitive advantage by rolling out VoIP on top of broadband, while adding mobility to differentiate their offering. They can also modernize their networks with a solution that provides a smooth evolution path to multimedia services."
"At the same time, mobile operators can implement VoIP and thereby transform their existing network and voice services into a unified offering across mobile and broadband domains," he adds "Nokia's Fixed-Mobile Convergence solution, including the Nokia VoIP Server, is an ideal way for operators to make the most of these emerging opportunities."
The Nokia VoIP Server is compliant with the standardization work done by 3GPP and ETSI TISPAN. This enables convergence of legacy voice and SIP-driven VoIP, independent of access. With the Nokia VoIP Server, fixed and mobile operators can offer VoIP to their customers with supplementary services such as Caller ID and SMS text messaging.
The Nokia VoIP Server can be implemented as a stand-alone solution in fixed networks as a first step toward convergence. Alternatively, it can also be deployed as an application server within the IMS framework. The Nokia VoIP Server fully complements the Nokia IMS solution, which enables SIP-based multimedia services, such as video sharing, in addition to voice services and a unified communications experience using both wireless and wireline packet access networks.

RocketVoIP Review: VoIP ReView

VoIP ReView about RocketVoIP

RocketVoIP is part of WQN. WQN is part of the WQN, Inc. family of companies. Customers utilize their networks of Internet gateways and other traditional networks to place long distance calls, online, at discounted rates. WQN has had a series of VoIP “firsts” including the first company to retail international calls using a VoIP network, and the first company to issue a prepaid Visa card that also was capable of using their VoIP network.

Installation and Interface
Use the phone numbers you already own and your broadband service to make calls, including long-distance and international calls. Just plug the RocketVoIP device into your high-speed modem and connect your telephone into your RocketVoIP device, which will automatically connect your telephone calls through your broadband service. Then, start making and receiving your phone calls at a fraction of the price you’re currently paying. You can call any working telephone or cellular number in the world - just as you could with your local phone service.

Download their SoftPhone and use your computer to make your calls. The SoftPhone basically turns your computer into a telephone. Plug your headset into your computer, use the SoftPhone to dial a call, and talk through your computer. Plus, when you sign up for your RocketVoIP account, you will receive an access number that you can use to start making free international calls with your cell phone. Simply dial the access number using your cell phone, then dial the number you wish to call. Use your cell phone with your free night and weekend minutes included in your current cell phone plan, and you’re talking for free, and not using your cellular minutes.

Features
RocketVoIP offers a wide variety of services including call forwarding, call hold, caller block and caller ID, call transfer, three-way calling, call return, virtual numbers, voice mail-to-email and more. You manage your rocketVoIP account from anywhere - decide where your phone rings and whether you dial your calls using your cell phone, home phone, or computer. You can transfer your existing number to their service in most cases, and You can change your RocketVoIP telephone number by sending an email to RocketVoIP’s support service.

RocketVoIP also provides E911 service, each RocketVoIP virtual number and RocketVoIP main number has it’s own Voice Mail account. You can also get free calls to other Rocket VoIP customers. At this time RocketVoIP does not support fax transmissions.

Performance
Most reviews on the Internet are not very positive about RocketVoIP. Most of the complaints are centered on technical problems and service.

Service and Support
RocketVoIP offers email support and a 1-800 number for support from Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 9:00 pm and from 9:00 am to 2 pm on weekends and holidays.

List of Features Available on RocketVoIP
Support: Yes
Guarantee: No
Residential Plan: Yes
Small Business Plan: No
411 Service: Yes
911 Service: e911 Call Return (*69): Yes
Call Waiting: Yes
Caller ID: Yes
Click-to-Call: No
Fax Line (FoIP): No
International Calling: Yes IP PBX Solution: No
Keep Your Number: Yes
PC-to-PC Calling: Yes
PC-to-Phone Calling: Yes
Virtual Phone Numbers: Yes

VoIP.com Review :VoIP Review

VoIP Review about VoIP.com
VoiP.com has a mission to provide the lowest possible cost for their clients. The company offers a way for customers to use his/her own high speed Internet connection to connect to the phone lines. The VoIP.com service also provides many useful features that are included as standard. VoIP.com maintains that this is due to their commitment to customer service as well as the fact that VoIP costs are lower to the seller, which allows the savings to be passed along to the customer.

Installation and Interface
VoIP.com offers full documentation of the installation process. It is possible to set up the VoiP.com phone service with or without a router. The customer needs to purchase a router if he/she will have more than one computer connected to the Internet. There are also some DSL and cable modems that have many different ports with a router built in.

Beyond that decision, the user will need to follow the illustrations to do a self-installation of the VoIP.com phone service. It is important to have a phone adapter, IP phone, or another solution for the VoIP service to work. There is no need to have a VoIP technician come out to one’s home in order to start using the VoIP.com service.

Features
VoIP.com is a full-featured service. The company offers Voicemail and Caller ID features, as they are standard on such plans. Additionally, the customer will find Call Waiting as part of his/her in order to easily put someone on hold as another person calls him/her.

There are also advanced features like Find Me. This is a way for the user to forward calls to another line if he/she will be away from his/her desk. VoIP.com has counted that they offer 29 such features with their phone service at no additional charge.

Performance
VoIP.com strives to provide superior call quality and services. The VoIP.com digital lines are known to increase the quality of their customer’s phone calls. This is because the service uses high speed Internet instead of traditional phone lines. The 29 available VoIP.com features work together to provide a high performing experience for the customer.

Service and Support
VoIP.com offers an extensive online help section. There are many problems that are commonly found and the VoIP Troubleshooter section is available to answer those frequently asked questions.

VoIP.com does not prefer support through telephone calls. Rather, they steer users to their online help ticket system. With this in mind customers can log new help tickets when he/she experiences problems. This system makes it efficient for VoIP.com staff members to answer questions.

The times when a customer should need service and support are few and far between as the self-installation and documentation are provided as a reference point to all customer

List of Features Available on VoIP.com
Support: Online
Guarantee: 30 Day Money Back
Residential Plan: Yes
Small Business Plan: Soon
411 Service: Yes
911 Service: Yes Call Return (*69): Yes
Call Waiting: Included
Caller ID: Included
Click-to-Call: Yes
Fax Line (FoIP): Available
International Calling: Yes IP PBX Solution: N/A
Keep Your Number: Yes
PC-to-PC Calling: Yes
PC-to-Phone Calling: Yes
Virtual Phone Numbers: Available

Qwest OneFlex Review: VoIP ReView

VoIP review about Qwest OneFlex VoIPAs a company that offers both broadband internet and traditional telephone service, it seems only natural for Qwest to offer voice over internet protocol phone service. The company offers Qwest OneFlex VoIP service to residential, small business, and large enterprise customers.

Qwest recently stood out during a competitive review by the National Labor Relations Board. Because of Qwest’s reliable, scalable, responsive service, it was chosen to deliver voice services not only to the Board’s D.C. office, but to 56 nationwide NLRB offices as well.

Qwest is also the provider of choice for several federal, state, and tribal government entities.

Installation and Interface
Installation of Qwest OneFlex VoIP service is a relatively simple affair. The service can be installed simply by connecting the broadband adapter to a phone and a modem. Connecting it to a PC or laptop computer is an optional decision that gives added features like FlexMail and click-to-call to the service.

Online account management allows the end user to manage his or her calling features online from any location, at any point in the day (or night). The web interface gives call-to-click access for anyone on the call log, allows for call forwarding for multiple numbers, and lets a user check voicemail online.

Features
Qwest OneFlex basic service includes all basic features that should be standard with any basic voice package, but many times aren’t. Its basic package also offers a number of exception features as well.

Custom ringing allows a customer to assign specific rings to specific people, so that each customer can make an extra effort to catch calls from a spouse, or walk extra slowly to have selective deafness to an in-law. FlexMail allows a user to retrieve his or her messages online. Unlimited domestic long-distance is also included with Qwest’s basic plan.

Qwest OneFlex also works with state and local governments to help them meet communication needs with budgets that invariably fall short.

Performance
Qwest’s experience with both broadband internet and basic phone service insures they have all hardware, software, and personnel support needed to run a fully functional and reliable voice over internet protocol service.

Qwest’s hosted voiced and messaging system not only keeps small and large businesses from having to install or maintain a PBX or Key Telephone system, it also keeps every enterprise up-to-date with new features and functions.

A bundle offer of equipment, training, and support for new business customers means that the powerful hosted voice solution is enhanced by knowledgeable and well-equipped employees.

How reliable is Qwest OneFlex’s voice and data system? Just ask the Department of the Treasury. Or the department of Energy. Or, perhaps most significantly, the Department of Defense. If the safety of the United States can count on Qwest’s consistent and reliable performance, so can anybody.

Service and Support
Qwest OneFlex offers user guides and various service requests, such as request repair, check order status, and transfer or move service, on their website. Should that not be enough, customer service representatives are available via phone and email, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

List of Features Available on Qwest OneFlex
Support: 24/7
Guarantee: No
Residential Plan: Yes
Small Business Plan: Yes
411 Service: $1.25/call
911 Service: Yes Call Return (*69): Included
Call Waiting: Included
Caller ID: Included
Click-to-Call: Available
Fax Line (FoIP): Available
International Calling: Yes IP PBX Solution: No
Keep Your Number: Yes
PC-to-PC Calling: Yes
PC-to-Phone Calling: Yes
Virtual Phone Numbers: Available
Make Qwest OneFlex your VoIP provider.
Click here to sign up now at Qwest OneFlex »

AT&T CallVantage Review:Voip review

AT&T CallVantage is one of the leading VoIP providers currently in operation. The company offers countless features, unlimited minutes and clear call quality, making the provider a reliable choice for VoIP users. Although there are cheaper options than AT&T CallVantage, there are few cons where service is concerned.

Installation and Interface
Users will receive a telephone adapter for their CallVantage installation. Depending on your in-home or office network, this is usually a simple procedure. Should you experience any problems, AT&T now offers the “AT&T CallVantage Assistant,” which is a step-by-step guide to installation. This guide can be downloaded from a customer’s Web portal and easily troubleshoots any issues.

Features
CallVantage offers several desirable features, in addition to their popular residential unlimited-minutes plan. Other features include caller ID, call waiting, same number, 911 support, voicemail, 3-way calling, do not disturb and more. Not all features are free of charge, as the more advanced and exclusive offers come with a small monthly fee. This is one area where CallVantage is lacking a bit; other services offer many more features at no additional charge.

Performance
CallVantage performs extremely well, both with call clarity and reliability. Connections and data downloads don’t come any faster than with this VoIP provider, making it a favorite for many users. The router that accompanies CallVantage prevents any interruption of call quality when a PC is downloading information.

Service and Support
Customer support is outstanding for CallVantage users. A toll-free number gives users access to friendly, 24-hour support. Customers won’t be on hold for very long and repair assistance is also available during normal business hours. Again, the downloadable customer guide is very useful for those who need to troubleshoot. Overall, customers should have zero problems with their CallVantage service.

List of Features Available on AT&T CallVantage
Support: Free 24/7
Guarantee: N/A
Residential Plan: Yes
Small Business Plan: No
411 Service: Yes
911 Service: Yes Call Return (*69): Yes
Call Waiting: Yes
Caller ID: Yes
Click-to-Call: Yes
Fax Line (FoIP): Included
International Calling: Some Plans IP PBX Solution: No
Keep Your Number: Available
PC-to-PC Calling: Yes
PC-to-Phone Calling: Yes
Virtual Phone Numbers: Yes