The Advantages of Internet Telephoning (and a Few Disadvantages)

Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) has quickly advanced from being a novelty to a full-fledged force in the communications marketplace. Weary from paying huge phone bills, households and businesses now enjoy the dramatic savings of Internet telephone. It’s not unusual to see residential phone bills cut by $20 to $50 or more per month by switching from traditional phone lines to VoIP, which transmits your voice calls via the Internet, the same way your email is sent. While a normal telephone service transforms your voice into electronic signals, which your phone converts to sound, while VoIP technology digitizes your voice as just another bit of data. Now the major phone companies, as well as cable operators provide VoIP services, offering inexpensive local and long distance plans. Most of these providers also include an array of features similar to those offered by traditional carriers, such as caller ID, call waiting and voice mail as well as additional features such as the ability to use your home or business phone number no matter where you travel.

Creating a Virtual Office
This transportability is one of VoIP’s most powerful advantages. Using VoIP, you can actually make local calls using your home telephone number, even if you’re on the other side of the globe. Landline carriers cannot offer this benefit. All you have to do is bring your VoIP adapter with you on your travels, connect to a cable or DSL model, plug in your phone, and you your voice will be transmitted via broadband access. Imagine being able to set up a virtual office anywhere in the world, while still using your regular business phone number!

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