VoIP Solutions - Are They Right For You?

VoIP Solutions are available for both business andability to make "calls."
personal use, but what is VoIP? VoIP stands for VoiceAnother thing you may want to consider is that, at the
over Internet Protocol and generally refers to the usepresent time, emergency service is either not available
of internet for phone services. There are other termsor available on a limited basis through this service.
used to refer to the same thing such as internetPrimarily the loss of service is due to the difficulty to
telephony, IP telephony, broadband telephony, andlocate the VoIP user by geography. If you are able to
broadband phone.give your address, 911 services can still be contacted.
VoIP is publicized to have huge savings over standardThe trouble only begins if you are unable to give your
telephone usage. Is this a true statement? There isaddress for some reason; however, some VoIP
usually a monthly charge for the use of VoIP, butproviders have a list of addresses where the VoIP is
"calls" from VoIP device to VoIP device are at noused for the purpose of helping route emergency
charge. The monthly fee is to "call" standard phones.services. It may be useful to keep a plain old telephone
Because the internet is worldwide, there is generally noavailable for any unexpected failures.
long distance charges applied to the accounts. TheVoIP solutions are the hardware and software items
service includes features such as 3-way calling; callavailable for VoIP that includes such items as IP
waiting, call forwarding, caller ID, and automatic redialphones, CPE gateways, high density gateways, and
for no additional fees. If your phone service includesVoIP terminal adapters. The CPE gateways utilize an
these features, then VoIP could definitely save youEthernet cable to connect to the DSL cable modem
money.for residential service, uses the LAN line to connect to
There are a few drawbacks to using VoIP forDSL modems, or incorporates DSL with the LAN line
residential "phone" service. Have you ever been surfingautomatically for commercial use.
the internet and then suddenly your web page is noStandard phone lines can be used to hook up VoIP
longer available? Because VoIP depends on internetallowing you to use a portable phone handset. If your
technology to transmit voice data to either a VoIPcompany is going to grow, it may be possible to hook
device or telephone, when there is a hiccup with theup to the existing switchboard equipment, making it
internet, DSL, or cable services, the ability to use theeasier to train your employees. Whatever the size of
internet for "calls" is rendered useless or at the veryyour company or whether you decide to have VoIP
least delayed. Another drawback can be a poweras your residential phone, VoIP solutions are necessary
failure; however, if you have a backup power supplyto make your "calls" successful.
such as a generator, the failure will not hinder your