| offers many advantages to those who are brave | | | | end is hearing us with crystal clear audio clarity and |
| enough to pull the plug. First, VoIP offers incredible | | | | that the future of VoIP will only have greater products |
| savings for local, long distance, and international calls. It | | | | readily available for its users. |
| also offers great calling features for free that usually | | | | Businesses also appreciate the ability to have |
| cost a fee when purchased with PSTN telephone | | | | integrated services. By combining audio, video, email |
| services. Not only are people choosing to pull the plug | | | | and web-based applications, employees can better |
| from their telephones, but they are also embracing | | | | meet customer service needs and productivity again |
| wireless technology as a whole. | | | | increases. |
| With VoIP you can have the option of selecting your | | | | While many people are opting to go with VoIP, it still |
| own phone number. In some cases, you can keep | | | | has some disadvantages. The main one is that it is |
| your current phone number. You will have to check | | | | hard to use 911 with VoIP. This is because the call is |
| with your VoIP provider and see what options they | | | | made from your computer network and not a landline |
| provide. However, many service providers do provide | | | | phone. 911 will not be able to trace the phone call made |
| the opportunity of selecting your own area code. | | | | from your VoIP phone and retrieve your address. Also, |
| Some companies even have the choice of selecting | | | | when you place your 911 calls, the dispatcher will not |
| area codes worldwide. This is a wonderful alternative | | | | receive any of your location information. The FCC has |
| for those who would like to choose an area code | | | | issued rulings pertaining to this. Some options include |
| located where their family and friends are. For your | | | | registering with 911, when you call 911 giving them your |
| unlimited calling plan, you can call your friends and | | | | information and location right away, or keeping a |
| family any time. But for those who are not on VoIP, | | | | landline phone or cell phone available for use in case of |
| they will thank you for giving them the choice of calling | | | | an emergency. The latter may be the best solution for |
| you on local rates. | | | | enjoying the best of both worlds. |
| VoIP operates in different forms. For instance, you can | | | | To begin with, when purchasing VoIP services, you will |
| use VoIP when you use an Instant Messaging program | | | | be required to sign a statement that says you |
| with voice on your computer. These are very popular | | | | understand that your 911 services may be impaired by |
| and now Yahoo, AOL, MSN, ICQ, and even Google | | | | using VoIP. Some VoIP providers do not offer 911 |
| have VoIP Instant Messaging programs. The benefits | | | | services at all. Other providers will offer what is known |
| of these programs are that they are free to download | | | | as Enhanced 911. To use E-911 services, you may be |
| off of the Internet and by using a microphone and your | | | | required to first activate the 911 services. The most |
| speakers; you can talk over the Internet with any of | | | | efficient way to use E-911 is to register your |
| your buddies. As long as your friends and family | | | | information with the Public Safety Answering system. |
| members download the same program, you will be | | | | They will take your name and physical address. That |
| able to talk with them as long as you like and | | | | way, if you call 911, they won’t have your |
| absolutely free. You can talk to anyone, anywhere in | | | | information readily available, but they will have it in their |
| the world with VoIP Instant Messengers. | | | | system. However, if you are out or away from your |
| VoIP has proved that it offers great audio quality and | | | | residence and call 911, your information will be useless. |
| is a perfect choice for meeting both residential and | | | | In a situation like that, you will need to clearly state your |
| business telephony needs. As technology continues to | | | | location. Your VoWiFi phone won’t reveal any |
| advance, we can know that as we conduct our | | | | of your local information, as a cellular phone will. |
| transactions over VoIP, the listener on the receiving | | | | |