 Explore the Convenience and Cost Savings of VoIP Telephone Service
Written by: Andre Mangano
The world of telephone service has undergone many changes since Alexander Graham Bell made that first call. From switchboards and party lines to landlines and cell phones, telephone technology has seen many changes. But one of the most significant changes is a relatively recent development – Voice Over IP, also known as VoIP is promising to change the way we communicate, and many individuals and businesses have been taking advantage of the efficiency and cost savings that this new technology can provide.
While VoIP has undergone its share of growing pains, the technology behind it has now matured to the point where quality VoIP companies are able to provide high quality service that is comparable to the traditional landlines. This increase in sound quality has led more and more consumers to consider ditching their landlines for good in favor of VoIP service.
VoIP service can have some important benefits over the traditional landlines, and many of those benefits are related to cost and flexibility. The monthly cost of VoIP service varies from carrier to carrier, with some as low as $14.95 a month with a two year commitment. In addition most major VoIP carriers include features such as voicemail and three way calling for free – services that most traditional phone companies charge extra for.
Of course it is important to choose your plan carefully and to compare the service plans offered by the major VoIP carriers. It is also important to determine what type of equipment you will need to purchase in order to enjoy the convenience and cost savings of VoIP phone service. No matter which carrier you choose you will need a high speed internet connection like DSL or cable, and depending on the carrier you may be required to purchase additional equipment as well. Let’s take a look at four of the major players in the VoIP market – Vonage, Lingo, Packet8 and PhonePower.
Vonage
Vonage was one of the earliest players in the world of VoIP and they are still going strong. The company offers a flat fee of $24.99 for unlimited local and long distance calling, and its long history offers newcomers to the technology a good comfort level as well. In order to use Vonage consumers will need a broadband internet connection, a Vonage telephone adapter and a corded or cordless touch tone phone.
Lingo
Lingo is another popular choice in the VoIP marketplace. Lingo offers its new customers a three month promotional period during which unlimited local and long distance VoIP calls are only $4.95 a month. After that promotional period expires the price of the service reverts to the normal level of $21.95 a month. All callers need in the way of equipment is a phone adapter (provided free by the company). This adapter converts the analog telephone signals to digital and allows them to be transmitted over a high speed internet connection.
Packet 8
Packet 8 offers a number of different plans, including a $24.99 per month plan that includes unlimited local and long distance calling and a $39.99 a month plan for unlimited worldwide calling. In order to sue the service consumers will need a broadband telephone adapter and an all-in-one VoIP phone or videophone.
Phone Power
Phone Power is the least costly of the four major plans, with plans starting as low as $14.95 for callers who sign up for a two year commitment. With a one year commitment the monthly charge jumps to $16.95 and callers who choose to pay month to month must pay $19.95 a month for service. The price of the service includes the telephone adapter, so callers can just hook up their corded or cordless phones and start calling.
While not everyone is ready to ditch their landlines just yet, the remarkable progress made in the world of VoIP has many consumers taking a hard look at their monthly phone bills. VoIP technology is now able to provide the kind of steady and reliable service that was once the sole property of the phone company. If you have been thinking about cutting the phone cord, now may be a great time to see what VoIP service is all about. | 
