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VoIP offers so much more than conventional phone service — and that’s one of the  reasons why the industry is expanding so fast. And another thing: VoIP can provide you with all the same things you grown accustomed to from your phone service today. And it can do all this for a lower cost. Is it any surprise that VoIP is altering the way that folks use their phone service at home and at the office. Whether you are a business owner or simply a homeowner, it is a very viable alternative for nearly everyone.

For example, long distance calls are going to be free or nearly free on VoIP phone systems. This is because VoIP uses the Internet to send your voice messaging. And another thing: Wherever you go, as long as you have an Internet connection, you can have VoIP service. As I said before, VoIP service offers the sorts of features that we were used to paying extra for.

Here are some things that you should investigate when you’re choosing a VoIP service provider:

Does it sound good?

With the most current systems, the sound quality is much improved while reducing static and noise. You should expect excellent performance from your service provider. Make a test call before you make any commitments. Hear any lags? Any delays? Then run in the opposite direction.

If you think I’m exaggerating, think about a one second delay and what it can mean. It could mean that the person you are talking to is hesitating for some unknown reason. It could mean that the person you are talking to doesn’t understand what you are saying, or is simply confused. Or it could mean that you have a slow Internet connection. Before you commit to VoIP service, eliminate the possibility that the delay is due to technical reasons.

Is It Reliable?

If you’re a business owner, you can imagine the damage that can be caused if your phone goes out in the middle of an important conference call. Even worse: if there are 10 people on the line at your office and 10 at the other locations. If you can’t talk for 15 minutes, that equals 5 man-hours of lost productivity — and maybe a valuable business contract — or your reputation. Bottom line: don’t skimp when it comes to picking a VoIP service provider. Don’t try to cut corners up-front; pay a little more and get the best.

Customer service

It should go without saying that your VoIP service provider should give you 24/7 customer support. Not only that: you shouldn’t have to wait on hold — you should be able to get a straight answer quickly. Look for a VoIP service provider that offers alternate modes of tech support, like live chat.

What Sorts of Features Are Available?

A good VoIP service provider will be capable of delivering everything you alreay have plus all the extras: free long distance, as well as email and fax, web conferencing and videophone — included in the price. Other VoIP service providers may charge you for these features. Be sure of what you want — and ask for it — before making a final decision on who to go with.

…and speaking of price

We all feel that VoIP should be free or very cheap. At the very least you should be able to get free long distance and a low monthly service charge. But make sure you’re getting more than you pay for. A low price with low voice quality is not a good value. If your VoIP service provider offers a trial. Take advantage of it to make sure that you’re getting your money’s worth.

Even with all of these benefits VoIP still has a couple of drawbacks. The most notable drawback is that you must have a high-speed Internet connection for VoIP service to work. If you have a power outage and lose your Internet feed, or if your Internet is just plain slow, VoIP will not work for you. So just be certain you have a proper Internet provider.

As for which companies are the best VoIP service providers, visit this page to find out how to make an intelligent comparison. You’ll have to do a little bit of homework and find the best VoIP service providers available to you. But you’ll find the investment of time to be worth it.

In Conclusion

Review all the issues — pro and con — before making an informed decision on VoIP service providers.

© 2007 Ara Rubyan. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 License. You have permission to use it if you include the resource information below.

For more info on VoIP service providers, visit Ara Rubyan’s VoIP Solution.

Ara Rubyan is not a part of the VoIP industry, nor does he sell VoIP services, nor does he pretend to be a guru of any kind. Instead, he is like you: a consumer, a business owner, and someone who has been researching the industry so that he could make an informed decision about the best VoIP service for his needs. Now, he’s put all his research (so far) in one convenient location and he’s sharing it with you, no strings attached.