The VoIP Advantage

More and more, Voice over Internet Protocol or VoIP is becoming a popular alternative to the regular telephone. The reasons are numbers, there are several advantages, and some disadvantages, which I've outlined below.

ADVANTAGES

CHEAP CALLS
VoIP calls are a lot cheaper than regular phone calls. The technology is much less expensive for the provider who then passes those savings on to the customer. This is especially true for long distance calls, which boast a huge savings.

UNLIMITED CALLS FOR THE SAME PRICE
Almost all VoIP service providers offer packages that include unlimited dialing for a flat monthly fee. The biggest advantage is that you always know exactly how much you'll be spending each month, making budgeting easier. This is especially helpful to businesses which make a lot of phone calls or for people who regularly make long distance calls.

GOOD ONLINE SUPPORT
The standard seems to be good online support for VoIP. What this means is quick trouble shooting of problems and VoIP's often provide online tutorials to help you when you have problems connecting.

PORTABLE
VoIP is portable, meaning you've got access to it anywhere in the world you can log on, unlike a regular landline where you must be at the exact location of your home or business. As long as there is an Internet connection, you've got service. This is particularly helpful if your job keeps you on the go regularly.

DISADVANTAGES

ECHO
Hearing an echo while making calls is a fairly common occurrence with VoIP. While the quality is fast improving, it's not quite perfect. However, there is no question that the quality remains preferable to that of regular phone lines.

RELIABILTY
Quality often varies and it is not uncommon to find yourself cut off in the middle of a call unexpectedly.

RELIANT ON INTERNET CONNECTION
Since VoIP uses your Internet connection you are completely dependent on the quality of that connection. If your service regularly cuts off, then you'll experience lots of cut offs during phone calls. A poor internet connection will necessarily lead to a poor VoIP connection.

CAN'T BE TRACKED IN AN EMERGENCY
When calling an emergency number from a landline your call can be tracked so that you can be found easily. However, if you call from a VoIP, unfortunately, you can't be tracked.

POWER CUT
In the case of a power outage you won't be able to use your VoIP service since you can't turn on the computer, let alone access the Internet. Since a landline is connected separately from the power grid it remains connected even if the power goes out. Weighing the pros and cons, however, there are several advantages to utilizing VoIP. As long as you've got a stable Internet connection and power supply you can count on VoIP for better quality calls for far cheaper than a regular land line. Good technical support and the fact that you can make unlimited long distance calls and are billed at a regular monthly rate are also a great advantage.