Switch To VOIP -- Or Not?

One of the principal advantages of VOIP service is its low-cost, but there are other considerations besides saving money. For starters, it may not be possible to keep your old telephone number when you switch to a VOIP service or you may feel a need to keep the reliable 911 service. Before cutting your telephone line off completely, think this decision through carefully.

If you decide to replace your current telephone service with a VOIP service, the basic monthly charge will be lower than PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network). And the price includes extra services that traditional telephone companies charge more for, such as call forwarding and call display. 

If you want to take advantage of the low cost and extra features of VOIP, and also keep your existing phone number, check with both your telephone company and the VOIP service provider in advance. The VOIP provider may actually offer local phone numbers in your area. If they do, there's a chance that you can even keep your old phone number.

Most VOIP service providers offer additional phone numbers at different locations. You could, for instance, have local phone numbers in several different cities, which permits people in those locations to reach you at any time for the price of a local call. If you receive a high volume of calls from a specific geographic location, be sure your VOIP provider can give you a local phone number for there.

Emergency services

Having reliable emergency 911 services may be an essential consideration. Some VOIP providers allow you to register your address with them in the event you need to make an emergency call. This information is used to route the call to the right emergency call center, but once you're connected with the operator, they won't be able to determine your location unless you can respond and speak.

If 911 service is critical for you, you can: wait until this obstacle has been resolved by the VOIP system, keep your existing phone line, or get a cell phone for emergencies.

Power backup

You may also want to maintain a backup phone line in the event of power outages. VOIP service can be sustained during a short blackout with a battery backup. For an extended blackout, however, you will might lose power. If you live in a locale where blackouts are prevalent, it might be best to keep a cell phone or a regular phone line on hand.

Equipment

VOIP service providers usually supply an ATA (Analog Telephone Adapter) when you sign up with them. This allows you to use your current analog telephones with VOIP. You can probably get a better rate on the monthly fee charged if you buy your own equipment.

If you decide to make this investment, you'll need a broadband modem (either cable or DSL), a router, and an IP phone. Some units combine the modem and router, cutting down on the amount of equipment necessary. A computer isn't necessary, but does make it more convenient for accessing your VOIP account.

There is no need for a service call to install your equipment. Hooking up VOIP is straightforward. You simply plug the router into the modem and the IP phone into the router and you're good to go. 

Conclusion

Despite these drawbacks, thousands of people are daily trading their old phone systems in for VOIP. If you decide to join them, the first thing you need to do is select your VOIP service provider. You should select the best plan based on the type of calls you make. There are many options, and most offer call waiting, call forwarding, and call display features in their basic monthly rate. The principal differences in providers are their rates for long-distance and overseas calls.