Voice Over Internet Protocol Information

Why VoIP

Advantages

The major advantage of using VoIP services is that it can save you money. Many VoIP providers offer flat rate charge for long distance call, some will allow you to select your own area code. This does not necessary to be your area code where you live. Select the area code that you would normally placed a long distance and a large number of phone calls. Using VoIP and the correct software will enable you to communicate with multiple people anytime you want, which makes communication easier and feasible with no regard to distance.

VoIP is combination of data communication and voice communication and the services are digital, therefore may offer more features than traditional phone services. For example you can change your call forwarding settings; you can receive email notification when you receive a voice mail. Recordings of your voice mail can be sent to your email and can be forward the message to others. Hence for this reason VoIP also allows easy exchange of data with people you are talking with, sending images, graphics and videos.

VOIP is easy to upgrade. It sometimes takes minutes of software installation to get a complete a system. A normal telephone system is not that easy, not to mention the dismantling and reassembling of huge machines.

VoIP is bandwidth efficient. VoIP can compress more voice calls into available bandwidth than normal telephony. VoIP efficiency can offer substantial cost savings for a company with multiple locations being charged distance times bandwidth for communication links

Meanwhile for Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) line, you generally don't have the option of talking with more than one person at a time or you can but at increased cost. The more time you stay on the phone the more you'll pay.

Disadvantage

There are a few inconveniences when it comes to VoIP. As it works through an Internet connection, every time the Internet connection goes down, so does VoIP. That means if VoIP is your one and only way to call others and you suddenly lose access to the Internet, you also lose your phone service, which can be very dangerous in case of emergencies.

The same thing applies if you were to face a blackout, since electrical power is needed to run the device that VoIP relies on. In addition, VoIP is dependable on the quality of Internet connection. So, poor connections lead to poor VoIP conversations. Also, your Internet connection is usually provided to you as a best effort service (quality is not guaranteed). The same policy applies to VoIP.

Even if you are using a very fast Internet connection, your VoIP conversation might just become choppy due to latency problems. Or if you're the type who regularly uses up your bandwidth, you may have to stop downloading activity every time your VoIP phone rings. Worse still, if you're a light user whose Internet charges are dependable on data transfer or time-based, using VoIP might increase your Internet bill.

Also, VoIP technology has not matured yet, on top of security issues, you'll find that there are just certain numbers that you cannot call because not all telcos support VoIP. If you need to call 911, the VoIP service may not connect seamlessly with the dispatcher. It may be difficult for them to trace the location of your telephone call if they need to do so.

You will need to get a DSL router or second computer set up if you want to have a second phone line. A PSTN telephone service will not require these items as there are phone jacks everywhere in a building in a building.

So, does VoIP bring more advantages or disadvantages? This is for you to decide. Although there's a price to pay for VoIP benefits, the ability to make free phone calls may just be worthwhile in the end