| VoIP is fast becoming a mature service in the | | | | when you try to call another land line. Even then, the |
| telecommunications industry. More and more | | | | rates are much more affordable compared to normal |
| consumers and business owners are starting to use | | | | rates. |
| VoIP for making International phone calls. For those | | | | 2) Not just for business. |
| who are not familiar with this protocol, here is a brief | | | | VoIP services are not just for businesses. Customers |
| run down of the technology. | | | | can use them for personal use as well. For instance, |
| VoIP stands for Voice over Internet protocol. When | | | | let's say you have a child studying abroad and you |
| the Internet first started, only text data is able to move | | | | want to keep in touch. But you are worried about the |
| through the protocol. Then developers started thinking | | | | telephone bills. You can always use this service to call |
| of the possibility of transferring voice (instead of just | | | | your child for free. If your child doesn't have Internet |
| text) over the Internet. This is made possible with the | | | | access, you can still use the service to call his |
| invention of special software and/or hardware. All that | | | | dormitory line or his mobile phone, and save a bundle |
| is needed, is a way to convert voice into digital data, | | | | on bills. |
| transfer it over the Internet, and then convert the data | | | | 3) Special features. |
| back to voice format. That means whoever wishes to | | | | This is another major breakthrough of VoIP services. |
| use VoIP will have to have special software or | | | | When you use a normal land line to make a phone call, |
| hardware installed. | | | | you can't do much with the call since the data is |
| Fortunately, many VoIP service providers either | | | | essentially in analog format. Voice service providers |
| recommend compatible software, or they provide the | | | | now offer additional web based services that help |
| right tools and equipment for their customers. There | | | | complement the technology. This is possible because |
| are many benefits to this technology. Here are some | | | | of the use of the Internet. For instance, you can set up |
| commonly known ones. | | | | anonymous call rejection, call forwarding, call return, call |
| 1) Much lower International calling rates. | | | | waiting, etc. You manage all these features from a |
| Cost is, of course, on the top of everyone's list. We all | | | | web based control panel, which means that you have |
| know that traditional land line to land line international | | | | full control over these features. |
| calls can cost a bomb. Imagine having to make a | | | | VoIP services are here to stay. They provide useful |
| conference call that will last for hours. That may easily | | | | features that we don't get with land lines, and they are |
| cost a small fortune. But data transfer over the | | | | more affordable. Take advantage of the benefits by |
| Internet is essentially free. In fact, if you subscribe to a | | | | signing up as a member today. Creating an account is |
| VoIP service, you don't even need to pay if you are | | | | usually free of charge. |
| calling another member of the network. You only pay | | | | |