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Comparing VoIP Providers

by: Adam White

For those new to VoIP, it stands for Voice Over Internet Protocol and is a telephone service which enables you to use your broadband connection to make phone calls.

There are many telephone service providers offering VoIP, with many new providers entering the market weekly. So, “How do you choose the best service provider for you?”

Before deciding what provider you need to decide what service you need. Do you just want to make VoIP long distance and overseas calls and keep you current phone system for the rest? Or do you prefer to shift your full phone service to VoIP?

Because VoIP is a very cheap solution for long distance and international calls this may be an ideal option for those who make lots of these calls. In this instant you will maintain your current phone provider, and only use VoIP phone long distance.

You may however, decide you do want to switch entirely to residential VOIP. Be aware there may be issues in calling 911 in this situation and will need to determine the affects of this with the provider you ultimately choose. The three principal providers at the moment are:- Vonage, Comcast and Sunrocket; however, heaps of other telephony corporations are moving into VoIP every week.

In appraising a phone supplier, you should think about a number of things:

Website availability: Can you access the provider's web site? If not, this might be an indication of their service and support.

Support and Assistance: Take a look around the web and see what you can find about the company’s reputation for support. Look at their website and see if you can easily find support and easily use it. Do they offer after hours and weekend support? These are all important things to discover before you sign up.

Cost of Installation: All things being equal it may possibly be advantageous to pick the one with the lowest installation cost. They might then value your business more and provide a better service.

Equipment needed: Will you need to get new phone handsets? How many will they provide? Can you use your existing ones? All important questions to have answered before deciding.

Now that we know what to look for in a VOIP provider, we need to know what to keep away from.

The first tip is to stay away from new, small VOIP service providers. Let someone else use them first lets not be the guinea pig. Telephony and especially internet telephone is not a business where the small providers are going to win, especially not in the foreseeable future. The safest idea is to locate a recognized provider for your new phone service. You can always swap providers later.

Beware that there are many resellers and middlemen in the market. The key here is to know that they will not be providing or supporting your phone service, but will be making a commission for referring you to the end provider.

Changing to a VoIP phone system can be a key decision in your household. With a little research and some logical comparison between the providers, I am sure you can choose one you'll be pleased with.

With You in Technology Adam White

Adam creates easy to read articles on VoIP Telephones and Voice over IP Phone Systems at Discover-VoIP.info. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Adam White