Many people might think that Internet phone service, or VoIP systems are used primarily for businesses or organizations that take in a large volume of calls each day. However, now residents everywhere can benefit from the cost savings and ease of use with Internet phone systems. VoIP technology works by sending voice and data multimedia sessions over Internet Protocol networks like the Internet. Often times, these VoIP phone providers are able to charge less than traditional phone companies or cell phone service providers because the service costs less to operate. There is no public switch telephone network (PSTN) to charge for infrastructure costs. This is why many Internet service providers are able to also offer calling as a feature as well.
Types of Internet Phone Service:
There are several different ways to communicate by calling via the Internet. The most common type of service that businesses and residents alike benefit from are VoIP phone services. Residential VoIP services usually include paying for a connector device directly from the service provider and connecting it to your regular phone to accommodate the Internet connection. This is a cheap way to make the switch because the monthly service charge is incredibly cheap, if not free for much of the phone calls. They may even offer free or very cheap international calling (only about 2 to 3 cents per minute.) The adapter to make the regular phones compatible with the Internet are also a low cost. Because of low service fees as well as the fact that it is so easy to connect, is why many are making the switch to Internet phone service. The only additional cost you will have to pay is for the Internet service. Many Internet service providers will offer the calling plan in addition, but some do not, so that requires you to get the service with a VoIP provider. However, most households nowadays already have Internet access at home, so in that situation it would not necessarily be an added cost.
Other Internet Calling Like Google Talk and Skype are also other options to take advantage of Internet phone service. For example, Google Talk is a completely free service. Users can call directly from their Gmail accounts to their contacts. The only stipulation is that the other contact must also have a Gmail account. Google Talk also includes video chat services where the Gmail contacts can communicate back and forth via the Internet through a video chat. This is similar to the Internet phone service provided by Skype. Skype is also a free service that includes free video chatting as well as low monthly international calling costs. Check out these types of services if you are not interested in making the full leap to Internet phone service by replacing your old plan entirely.
Mobile phone VoIP plans also exist. There are some phone adapters that work for cell phones as well. This is why many businesses will extend their VoIP service to accommodate their employees’ cell phones if they frequently travel for work. The cost of this compared to the cost of service with a mobile phone company is much less. In addition, services like Google Talk also work well with mobile phones. All it takes is a simple setup with Gmail online to get started.
Benefits of switching to an Internet Phone Service:
If you are self-employed or work from home, making the switch to Internet phone service is a great way to save money on mobile and landline calling. As you can see, there are so many benefits to trying out Internet phone service. When trying to find the best Internet phone service, be sure to check out VoIP provider reviews to determine which option is best for you and your situation. In addition, it might be a good idea to try a combination of ideas and see what works best for you.