Posts Tagged ‘Residential’

I am on the Level 3 Communications CLEC network so where would the call terminate from?

A common scenario these days is having a loved one abroad either studying or working. While the person might have gone overseas for some purpose, he/she might get to feel very lonely as the new atmosphere is quite alien and nobody among family or friends are close by.

In such a scenario, the sole rescue is the telephone. This is a great way to communicate and keep in touch with near and dear ones. But, this can get very costly if done on a regular basis. So, in order to cut costs, the person will have to restrict from making calls frequently. But, now there is a new answer to such problems. One can make frequent calls overseas at much lesser rates than calling over the telephone.

Yes, the answer to this is Voice over Internet Protocol or VoIP. This system allows a person to reach out to anyone anywhere in the world free of cost as long as both have a computer. Nowadays, there are computers in every home which makes it much simpler to have VoIP. All one needs is to have a efficient and fast internet connection through cable or DSL. This will ensure that the calls received are crystal clear and very quick.

The greatest advantage VoIP provides and the reason why many people are opting for VoIP in their homes is the expense. It is definitely much cheaper to call over VoIP in comparison to a conventional telephone. Also, you get to enjoy additional benefits and facilities that are generally not provided with a regular telephone. Many people, especially the older generation hesitate to try out many new technological advances because they feel they cannot understand how to use some of the modern gadgets. But, this is not the case with VoIP as it is very similar to the regular telephone.

Earlier, VoIP was only available for business purposes but it is now available for residential purposes. The rate plans vary depending on the nature of usage. There are many service providers giving residential plans and you can search the internet to get more information on them. You will be asked to purchase a device called the Adaptor box (ATA) that will connect your internet connection with the telephone. Before you get into using VoIP, it is best to read up more about it and become familiar with some relevant information about the VoIP system. This makes it much simpler for you to use the system later.

With traditional phones, you need to pay for calls that will add up to your monthly bills but this is not the case if you are using a VoIP phone. With VoIP, you get to make calls that have great voice quality and very dependable without having to bear an additional charge.

While using a landline, there might be some added charges that skyrocket your monthly bills. Service providers of VoIP give the options of various packages that enable each and every user to opt for one that suits their needs. While some packages might include any number of local calls or overseas calls others provide features like 3-way calling, call forwarding, call waiting, caller ID, e911, voicemail, etc. Such features and facilities are generally not provided with a conventional telephone.

While looking for a package that suits you, you need to assess your requirements and the budget. Once you have analyzed this, you can look for the service provider that gives your requirements at the budget suited for you. You can take the help of contacts who are using VoIP already to get more information from them.

While knowing the benefits from this system, you should also know the downsides to the VoIP system.

VoIP system is not compatible for use with a fax machine. For this reason, both of them cannot be used at the same time. Also, VoIP needs power unlike a conventional phone line. So, if there is a blackout, you will be stranded and not be able to handle calls if you do not have any source of power backup.

If you are happy about the advantages the VoIP system provides, then you can think of going in for one. It is especially useful if you have any near or dear one in the family living abroad for any purpose. It will reduce the limitations of distance and help you stay in touch.

VoIP can be used to make calls from a computer to a conventional landline or a mobile phone. This depends on the plan you have opted for with the service provider. You will need to pay something extra to your monthly bills but it is definitely less expensive in comparison to landline costs.

If you have the need to make long distance calls on a regular basis, a good option to take up is to take up residential VoIP.

As technologies mature and more households gain access to high speed Internet, consumers will come to realize that it is simply more efficient and cost effective to send packets of voice over the Internet than over a point to point circuit switched land line. Long distance charges become a thing of the past, and international calls are pennies a minute if not free to some countries.

VoIP solutions are readily available to anyone with a high speed Internet connection, and the only hardware needed is an Analog Telephone Adapter (ATA) and a phone. For most consumers, utilizing a calling plan from a VoIP service provider is the best solution. Most VoIP service providers will provide the ATA hardware (or software) for free, and monthly charges range from free on up.

Peer to Peer VoIP

The least expensive VoIP solution would be using a computer on a peer to peer network. Offered from such VoIP service providers as Skype or the Gizmo Project, the software is free to download and calls within the network are free worldwide. Calls to PSTN numbers are charged at a low VoIP rate. Peer to Peer VoIP is a software solution, meaning that no ATA is required, and your phone is a pair of earplugs and a microphone plugged into your computer. The downside is that call quality is lacking compared to some of the hardware VoIP solutions available.

The “Pure Play” VoIP Service Provider

Over the past few years, a new generation of upstarts has introduced themselves into the residential VoIP arena. Probably the most successful (at least popularity wise) would be the VoIP service provider Vonage. Thanks to their lavish spending on advertising, the technology of VoIP is becoming mainstream, and the general public is beginning to realize that if the circumstances are right, Voice over IP can be a viable cost saving alternative to the Plain Old Telephone System (POTS).

Vonage, Packet8, and SunRocket are just a few of many companies that are pure-play VoIP service providers. They have no interest in selling you cable TV, conventional telephone service, or cellular minutes. Monthly plans range anywhere from $7.00 to $40.00 and calls are free in the U.S., Canada, and in some cases Europe. International rates vary with many countries as low as 2-3 cents a minute.

These are the companies that have pioneered residential VoIP for the consumer and with their low monthly calling plans, the companies that will keep the giants in the Telecommunications Industry honest.

Telco’s as VoIP Providers

Just as deregulation and the advent of cellular technology in the past, VoIP is poised to revolutionize the Telecommunications Industry. And the large telephone companies, even the cellular phone companies are entering this new era kicking and screaming.

Telco’s like AT&T, the regional Bells and others are happy to provide broadband internet access through DSL, but very few are willing to unbundle the internet service from their conventional telephone services. They could do it technologically, and a few local phone companies are offering DSL on the “local loop”, without the wire with the dial tone. The fact is, having a broadband connection that requires you to also buy a conventional telephone connection pretty much defeats the purpose, thus making VoIP through DSL impractical for most people.

That said, the Telco’s see the writing on the wall and are slowly beginning to implement Voice over IP telephony. AT&T and Quest Communications offer residential VoIP solutions starting at $25.00 and $30.00 respectively, just slightly higher than a pure VoIP service provider. All of the basic features such as call forwarding, speed dialing, and 3-way calling are included, and premium services like virtual phone numbers, conference calling, and call filtering can be had for an additional charge. International rates seem to be somewhat higher than pure play rates, though only by pennies.

VoIP and Cable Companies

If anyone is in a position to win the Telecommunication wars, it’s the cable companies. Massive consolidation in the cable industry has led to huge privately owned networks that in many cases make it unnecessary to route calls over the public Internet. Quality of Service issues can be handled in house, and after all, companies like Cisco Systems pretty much built the Internet and are largely responsible for the development of Voice over IP Telephony.

Cable companies as VoIP service providers have the ability to bundle voice with high speed data and digital cable TV, and are even now running introductory offers of all three for 99.00 a month in some markets. But be careful, introductory offers end and VoIP plans with the cable companies are some of the most expensive to be had.

While VoIP service providers like Comcast and Time Warner generally receive good reviews for sound quality, monthly calling plans cost $40.00 and $45.00 respectively. Not bad when looking at a $70.00 phone bill from Bell South, but over twice as much as a pure-play VoIP service provider. No doubt, a good reliable broadband connection through a cable modem is the ideal VoIP solution (wireless notwithstanding), but you don’t have to use your cable company for VoIP.

In the end, it all depends on whats important to you. If all you need is to call a friend in China on the same network, then a peer to peer VoIP service provider is for you. If you live in an area where it’s offered, a telecom VoIP solution promises lower bills than their conventional connections, provided you can drop the land line.

For those that have cable modems, the choice of VoIP service providers is vast. For the monthly cost of another broadband connection, cable companies will come out to install the equipment and rewire every jack in your house. And they are just a service call away. Alternatively, the pure play VoIP providers offer the lowest rates around, and the quality is usually just as good.

Just remember, it’s all in the pipe. Calls will be as clear as your VoIP service providers’ network is uncongested.