| It's not easy to find a VoIP provider that's reliable. Part | | | | for VoIP, but in reality there's an easy workaround. |
| of the reason why firms face so many problems is | | | | VoIP providers aren't authorized to sell you PSTN |
| because the VoIP industry isn't standardized and so | | | | numbers so they buy the numbers from the telcos and |
| there's no basis on which to compare a VoIP service | | | | simply lease them out to you. That is the reason why |
| to another. Meaning you can't tell if one service is | | | | you can't take you VoIP number with you. |
| better than the other simply because of a difference in | | | | You can however, transfer your PSTN number to |
| the way they charge you for new users or the price | | | | your VoIP service provider and this can be done very |
| of say, adding new conference rooms. | | | | easily. You maintain your portability for a small fee. |
| But there are some things you must realize a VoIP | | | | One of the tests of whether a provider is reliable or |
| provider is not, and that's what we look at in this article. | | | | not is whether they mention this potential lock in well in |
| Telephone Number Portability | | | | advance for you to make an informed decision. |
| Most businesses using VoIP start out with a regular | | | | Partial VoIP and Complete VoIP |
| PSTN phone system. Over the years, businesses build | | | | You must also take care that your service provider |
| a client base which relies on the telephone number that | | | | doesn't use VoIP partially. Some providers will require |
| the PSTN service provides them with. More | | | | you to make a regular PSTN call to their service |
| importantly, that number belongs to you. Meaning that | | | | centers which will then connect you to your destination |
| when you switch telephone providers, you can move | | | | over VoIP. This isn't true VoIP and will require you to |
| your number around and thus maintain your clients | | | | maintain your ordinary phone service as well. If you're |
| without any disruption in service. | | | | paying for a VoIP service, stay free of this. |
| However, when you shift to a VoIP service you must | | | | There are other ways you can tell a reliable VoIP |
| keep in mind that if you get a new number from the | | | | service provider from one who is not, and we'll be |
| provider you can't change VoIP services without also | | | | covering them in future articles. Stay tuned! |
| changing your number. This looks as if it's a setback | | | | |