Find Best VoIP Providers & Make Cheap Phone Calls

July 12, 2009 · Filed Under voip providers · Comment 

If you’re looking for a way of making cheap phone calls, you’ll have come across new technology called Voice over Internet Protocol (Voice over IP, or VoIP). Most people realize that the decision about whether to use VoIP is really a no-brainer. It allows you to make calls over the internet, instead of through a traditional phone line, so the amount of money it can save you can be significant. But once you’ve made the decision to use VoIP to make cheap calls, what next? How can you make sure you pick a good low-rate VoIP provider?

If you’re convinced by VoIP, but you haven’t yet signed up, then don’t rush in. Curb your excitement about the thought of all those cheap international calls, take your time and consider the following points.

1. Tie-ins and fees. Does the VoIP provider want you to commit to a contract? Is there a trial period? What are the penalties, if any, if you cancel your service? Are there any set-up fees, admin fees, equipment fees, postage fees, or any other kind of charges? And you want to make sure that there is a money-back guarantee, no-questions asked trial period? Check the VoIP provider’s website to see how transparent they are about their charges. Ideally, they should be absolutely clear about what you will be charged, and when.

2. Flexibility. Will the VoIP provider allow you to choose a dialing code? Some will give their customers the option of deciding what dialing code they want – either one that’s local to where they live, like a traditional phone service, or one that’s local to their customers or family. It might not be relevant to your needs right now, but it could be something that would be of great benefit in the future.

3. Customer service and technical support. What’s the customer service and technical support like? Can you contact someone for free, by phone or email, when you need to? Is there someone available to talk to you at any time? Some of the fiercest criticisms of telecoms companies are the result of poor customer service and dreadful technical support. You really don’t want this to ever be a headache, should you ever need it, so make sure that the VoIP provider puts the customer first in these respects.

4. Features. What features does the VoIP offer? Traditional service providers often charge for features such as voicemail, call-waiting, caller id, call forwarding etc. Does the VoIP provider charge for such basic features? Or do they offer them for free?

5. Add-ons. What does the VoIP provider offer in terms of chargeable services you can bolt on to your account later, if you want to? These days, thanks to advances in technology, you can get really useful add-ons. You might, for example, be able to make calls from your computer or laptop, add a second phone line, or create a ‘virtual’ phone number that rings to your own number, so that friends or family who live abroad can call you cheaply.

6. Reputation. Customer feedback is worth more than anything a company says about itself. Does the low rate VoIP provider, as well as offering cheap calls, also enjoy a solid, positive reputation and the goodwill of its customers? Can you find any comments or reviews from existing customers? Some VoIP providers will offer testimonials. What do these say? Are they independent? Perhaps you can find someone who already uses that particular VoIP provider, and who might be willing to give you a candid view about the service.

7 Call plans. Think about what countries you call, and how frequently. Check the VoIP provider’s call plans. How many are there? What countries are included? There’s no point signing up for a call plan that includes a raft of countries that you’re never likely to call, or will call only infrequently. Does the provider offer a basic call plan for UK landlines only, as well as one that includes dozens of countries around the world, and various call plans in between? Beware of a VoIP who offers call plans that simply seem to good to be true – it could be a sign that they’re in financial difficulty. Expect to pay from around £6 a month for the most basic, UK-only call plans, and around £20 a month for a call plan that covers numerous countries, with a range of call plans in between.

8. International tariffs. Check the VoIP provider’s international rates for calls to countries that aren’t included in your call plan. You don’t want to have a wonderful, low-rate call plan and find yourself stung by high rates whenever you call a number that’s not included in your plan. Fortunately, because VoIP uses broadband to make calls, you’ll find that even these rates are much, much lower than those offered by traditional phone companies.

9. Transparency and clarity. Does the VoIP provider’s site look professional? Is it easy to understand and navigate? Can you find what you want straight away? Is the language clear, concise and unambiguous? Does it inspire confidence that this is a trustworthy VoIP provider?

10. Keep your number. Can you keep your original telephone number if you want to? Is it a straightforward process?

If you’re already convinced (and you should be!) by the cost savings of using VoIP providers to make cheap international calls, it’s best not to rush into signing up with any old provider. Think carefully about the issues listed above, choose your VoIP provider wisely, and cheap calls will be all yours. You’ll never look back.

 

Voip providers:Never pay for Local & Long Distance Calls Again!

July 12, 2009 · Filed Under Voip · Comment 

With a VoIP service provider, you can make VoIP phone calls and also derive the multitude advantages of the VoIP technology. If you would like to switch to VoIP phone service, the first and foremost step you should make is choosing the ideal provider of the service.

Anyway, before going too far on the service, you would be better to first learn a bit more about the VoIP technology and the benefit it offers. For this reason, you can easily learn which provider would be ideal for you.

About VoIP

VoIP, which stands for Voice over Internet Protocol, is a somewhat new additional to the avant-garde telecommunication industry available today.

What to Look for

When it comes to pick the best provider of VoIP service, there are a few things that you are going to want to watch out for and remember. You should know that the market is buzzing with various different VoIP providers who are anxious to get your business. So, try to avoid yourself as much as possible from lacking in any way in terms of selection.

Moreover, there are also some providers that will allow you to carry your existing number to the VoIP services.

Before you choose the service provider, please ensure that any calling plan you are interested in is very clear in your mind.

Certainly, you can have great success providing you take a bit time to choose the right VoIP service provider. For this reason, you can start to take all advantages that the VoIP technology offers to you.

Find in 3 Steps How VoIP Telephone Systems Works

October 28, 2008 · Filed Under Voip · 1 Comment 

For those who have never heard about the possibilities of VoIP or phone over ip, be prepared to drastically change the way you think about your current long distance calling plan. VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is a method for taking ordinary analog audio signals and turning them into digital signals that can be sent over the Internet.

Most of us have Internet connection and already paying a monthly fee. This means that you can use that same internet connection to place free long distance phone calls. In order to do that you need VoIP software to make phone calls over the Internet, basically bypassing phone companies and their service charges.

Your Telephone with internet becomes – Internet Telephony.

Most telephone companies saw the possibilities of the voip technology and have been using it for quite a while now to send our phone calls nationally and internationally.

There are 3 ways you can make voip calls.

1-Regular phone and an ATA adapter

2-Download software and use your computer.

3-A special internet phone,

Here are the methods, in more detail:

1- Voip adaptor ATA (Analog Telephone Adaptor)

This adaptor allows you to connect the phone, which is already in your house, to your Internet connection.This device converts the your voice (analog signal) to a digital signal. Once the signal is converted, it goes through the internet connection. Most voip providers include this adapter with their packages.

Setting up an ATA is simple: Plug the cord from your phone (the one you normally plug into wall socket) into the ATA, and then an internet cord from the ATA into your router.

2-PC To PC calls

If your computer has speakers, microphone, a sound card, and a high speed internet connection you can use your computer to place VoIP phone calls.

The only things you need is software which is free to download .Depending on which service you choose, except for your monthly internet service fee, there is no cost for making these calls, no matter how much you talk. However, in most cases you will only be able to call people who have the same PC To PC calling service you have.

3- Voip Phone or IP Phones.

The IP Phone looks just like a normal phone, with all the same buttons and hand set.

Therefore, you can make phone calls from home, on vacation, on business trips and around the world. With VoIP phone, you can take your home phone along with you anywhere that you go. In the same way, you can place PC-TO-PC calls as long as you have your laptop and a broadband connection, you are ready to go.

Make Free Internet Phone Calls With VoipCheap

October 9, 2008 · Filed Under Voip · Comment 

Based in Germany, VoipCheap offers FREE CALLS to regular phones over the internet. Just install the free VoipCheap software, plug a headset in your PC and start calling instantly!
The difference between VoipCheap and many of the other free VoIP providers is that they offer free calls to regular landlines (PSTN).

Benefits: Not only can you call your online friends for free, VoipCheap also offers free calls to any regular land-line in various popular destinations
Andorra
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Canada
Chile
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
France
Germany
Hong Kong (+mobile)
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Liechtenstein
Luxembourg
Malaysia
Monaco
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Russian Federation
Singapore (+mobile)
South Korea
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
United Kingdom
United States (+mobile)

VoipCheap is a softphone that you download and install on your computer; Mac OS X and Linux users need to setup with a SIP compatible softphone using settings supplied by VoipCheap. Another interesting feature is  you can send free SMS text messages to your contacts, where available. You can not go wrong, countries with free calls are clearly marked and it’s very well established.
Because VoipCheap uses the open SIP protocol there are lots of third party devices that are compatible with it. If you have a SIP enabled VoIP phone, router or modem then it is possible to seamlessly integrate the VoipCheap service in your home or office.
Not all calls are free. If you have to regularly call a contact located outside the list of free destinations, then you will have to buy a credit.
For example: calling india from usa is 0.07 cents

VoipCheap have a Fair Use Policy that states Max 300 minutes per week of free calls, measured over the last 7 days and per unique IP address.That makes 5hrs/week Which is more than enough  to keep in touch with family members or business associates.