| If you're ready to try VoIP for your home, there are | | | | pretty competitive, so you may be better off going for |
| several points worth thinking about before you choose | | | | a call plan that covers the countries you call most |
| your VoIP provider. That way you can be sure you | | | | frequently, and then paying for the occasional call |
| pick the set up that's right for your family's needs and | | | | outside that separately. |
| your particular set-up. | | | | What's your budget? |
| Do you already have broadband? | | | | When you make phone calls the traditional way, using |
| You need broadband at home in order to be able to | | | | a landline, you pay for the landline rental itself, plus the |
| make phone calls using VoIP technology. It's a good | | | | cost of any calls you make, usually by the minute. This |
| idea to make sure you know whether it's cable (such | | | | means that people rarely know what their bill is going |
| as Virgin) or ADSL (such as BT), as this may affect | | | | to be. VoIP providers work very differently. Once |
| your options. | | | | you've signed up for a particular call plan, you can |
| Do you want to make calls from your PC? Or from a | | | | make unlimited calls to landlines in that plan. No nasty bill |
| regular telephone? | | | | surprises: you know exactly what your bill will be, as |
| You can make free PC-to-PC calls if you use a VoIP | | | | long as you stick to the destinations in your plan. And |
| provider such as Skype. This might be just right for | | | | that helps with household budgeting, of course. |
| you, as long as you don't mind being tied to your | | | | Are there any hidden costs? |
| computer. The person you're calling must also have | | | | Check what else you may be expected to pay for. |
| broadband, must also have signed up to the same | | | | Look, for example, for set-up fees, administration fees, |
| provider, and must also be at their computer. This | | | | cancellation fees/policy, refunds policy, equipment |
| set-up suits many people. You can also make calls | | | | costs etc. Does the VoIP provider try to hide these? |
| from your PC to other people's phones, but you will be | | | | Or are they clearly spelled out, which suggests that the |
| charged for these. And you will still have to be sitting at | | | | provider is committed to transparency? |
| your computer, of course. | | | | Do you want VoIP as your only line? Or do you want |
| Alternatively, you can choose to make VoIP calls using | | | | a second home line? |
| your existing telephone (phone-to-phone). This is simply | | | | If you've got cable, such as Virgin, then you can cancel |
| a matter of connecting your telephone to your | | | | your Virgin phone line without losing your broadband |
| computer, using an adaptor that the VoIP provider will | | | | connection. That is, you stop paying cable line rental |
| send to you. This kind of service is not free - you | | | | and simply start making all your calls via your new |
| usually pay a low monthly subscription. What you | | | | VoIP phone service, using your existing broadband |
| typically get in return is unlimited anytime calls to | | | | connection. If you've got ADSL broadband (such as |
| landlines in countries listed in the call plan you've | | | | BT), then you won't be able to cancel your phone line, |
| chosen. | | | | because it would terminate your broadband |
| Which VoIP providers are popular and reliable? | | | | connection. You can still, though, enjoy substantial |
| The chances are that broadband telephony will | | | | savings by setting up a second line with a VoIP |
| become the way we all make telephone calls. VoIP | | | | provider and use that to make most of your calls. |
| has been around for a while, but it's only recently that | | | | What features do you need? |
| it's started to become mainstream. So you want to be | | | | Does the VoIP provider offer all the features you |
| sure that your provider is reliable and experienced. | | | | need? Think about facilities such as caller ID, call |
| Take a look at customer reviews and feedback, as | | | | waiting, voicemail, 3-way calling, ringback etc. |
| these will often tell you a lot about the provider. | | | | Can you transfer (also known as port) your number if |
| What is the customer service and technical support | | | | you want? |
| like? | | | | Will the VoIP provider allow you to keep your original |
| Find out whether you can get help and support, from a | | | | telephone number? How does this process work? |
| real person, 24/7. Do you have to pay for this, should | | | | Can you choose a dialling code that's local to you? |
| you need it? | | | | If you decide to go for a new number, or a second line, |
| What call plans do the VoIP providers offer? | | | | can you choose an appropriate dialling code? |
| Think about the calls you and your family need to | | | | What if your broadband goes down? |
| make. Are they mostly to UK landlines? Do you | | | | Be aware that if your broadband connection is lost, |
| regularly call other countries? Or are most of your calls | | | | however temporarily, you won't be able to make VoIP |
| to family and friends in the US and Canada, or in India? | | | | calls during that period. Think about what your back-up |
| Check that the VoIP provider offers a call plan that | | | | would be, particularly if you needed to make |
| suits your calling habits. | | | | emergency calls, or someone was trying to contact |
| What about calls to countries outside your call plan? | | | | you. Have you got a mobile? |
| There's no point paying for a call plan that includes a | | | | If you've considered all these points, you're ready to go |
| ton of countries you rarely call. Check the VoIP | | | | ahead, choose a VoIP provider and start saving |
| providers international call rates. These are usually | | | | money by making calls through your home broadband. |