The Best VoIP Services - Where You Get Real Savings

In recent months, we've seen a lot of hoopla overdoes MagicJack claim that it assures its customers of
Vonage and MagicJack, as well as other cheap VoIPhigh-quality connection/audio for calls made through it.
services. This is understandable really. In these times, aMany users complain that it takes five or more dial
penny saved can mean a lot. The economy's in tattersattempts to get a call connected and that calls often
and we all want to cut down our day-to-day cost ofdrop after a few minutes.
living, but are Vonage, MagicJack and the cheap VoIPsSince MagicJack US calls are practically free, you can
our only options when we want real savings? Areexpect the company to try to earn through other
these necessarily the best VoIP services around?means. You just can't ignore how they try to do it.
Vonage: Savings at Face Value OnlyWhen you're online with your MagicJack, you are
Despite the media barrage that Vonage is one of thebombarded with ads. Worse, your calls are mined and
cheapest VoIP companies around, it is not really so. Aanalyzed to feed you with targeted ads. So, if you call
typical Vonage bill will list its low-low service cost sure,your doctor's office often, you can expect a lot of
but run through that list and you will see all sorts ofmeds ads on your computer. Not only is this irritating,
"other fees" - fees you don't normally find in otherit's plain intrusive.
VoIP services' bills. For example, there's the Regulatory,In all, MagicJack doesn't seem so great. You need to
Compliance and Intellectual Property fee. Surely thebe logged in on your computer all the time. You have
company will find ways to spin these fees and maketo dial over and over. You've got the ads. And, you've
them sound almost logical, but since when are thelost your calls' privacy.
"Regulatory, Compliance and Intellectual Property"Where There's Real Savings In VoIP
costs for using a service not just part of the price?For consumers and those interested in reselling VoIP
You know these expenses exist for everything fromservices, real savings don't always come with the
a gallon of milk to a trip to the dentist office, so whylowest price. You'd find that several good wholesale
does Vonage get to present it as if it's some specialVoIP service providers, and consumer VoIP service
tax?providers, offer their services at mid or high price
And, if ever you find yourself dissatisfied with theranges. Those that offer at higher rates will often add
company's service, make sure you do something"perks" to their services, such as package flexibility and
about it within the 30-day money-back guaranteeeasy-to-use interfaces. (But even so, these prices are
period and have enough patience on hand. You'd needstill relatively lower than traditional phone companies'.)
to call their toll-free number (expect to be on hold forFor consumers, the trick is to do your homework
about 30 minutes) just to cancel. If you act too latebefore getting on board with one VoIP service
and you haven't even reached two years with theprovider. Search online for user reviews - there are
company, expect some sort of cancellation fee. Forplenty. Call their representatives and ask to try the
now, the fee's at $39.99, but we've read horror storiesservice. VoIP companies want to convert people to
of it as high as $140 for users who have acceptedusing digital phone services, so they are likely to
special promotional pricing or "pre-owned" equipment.provide trial periods or money-back guarantees for
Where the real savings come in are really hard to findfirst-time customers. Lastly, have a checklist of what
in this mess. This is really sad. Vonage is one of theyou want in a VoIP services provider. Customer
pioneering companies in the VoIP industry. They shouldexpectations and needs differ. Sometimes, free
have just been more upfront with their customers.services (or even just the MagicJack) are suitable.
MagicJack: Overhyped?Other times, you'd want something more - perhaps, a
Of course, who can ignore the MagicJack? MagicJackreal replacement for your traditional phone. This is
is a USB device you use to connect through yourwhere the better or best VoIP services come in. It is
computer and make phone calls to anywhere in thevery true in the VoIP industry that you get what you
United States... FREE (ahh... but what is it our parentspay for.
told us? "If it sounds too good to be true, it probablyFor those interested in reselling VoIP services, getting
is.") If you want to use a conventional phone with it,your homework done is also a prerequisite. You should
you need to get a subscriber line interface to plug intohave, at least, an intermediate understanding of the
the device. Telecommunications connections aretechnology behind the business. This way, you know
through its sister company, YMAX. Your first yearwhat's important and why VoIP reseller services are
using MagicJack is "free"; subsequent years come withpriced as such. Much in the same manner as the
a $19.99 fee. By the looks of it, MagicJack seemsconsumer's experience, the better or best VoIP
great. Calls within the country and Canada are free -services don't always come with rock-bottom prices. In
who can resist that?this case, it's a matter of how you eventually market
But then again, your MagicJack connection depends onthe services. Good customers know that quality
your computer being on all the time. That's a hugecomes at a price. The best VoIP services will give you
inconvenience. Plus, your call quality suffers when usingVoIP packages worth selling to discerning customers.
your broadband connection on the computer. Nowhere