The following are very important factors to consider when you are
selecting a VoIP provider. Educate yourself and be informed before you
choose.
Monthly costs: A VoIP provider can save you up to 75% on
your telephone/long distance expenses. There are many VoIP providers
out there so it will benefit you from shopping around. Unlimited
calling packages can range from $19.95/month to as high as $54.95/month.
Usually the lower priced providers have more customers and are able to
offer the service at a lower price due to a lower overhead per
subscriber.
VoIP Product Features: Not all VoIP providers are
created equal. VoIP offers a great value to the consumers because of
the drastically reduced long distance costs as well as inexpensive local
phone service with lots of enhanced features. Some providers offer
more features than others. Features like Call Waiting, 3 Way Calling,
etc. are usually included in the VoIP monthly cost where as the
traditional phone companies will charge up to and above $5/month per
feature. When shopping for a VoIP provider, be sure to compare VoIP
providers by features as well as by monthly price.
Keeping Your
Number: Some providers allow you to transfer (port) your current phone
number to the VoIP service and some providers do not. It is not
recommended to switch your home number to the VoIP service immediately.
It is recommended that you try out the service and see if you are
satisfied before you request that your current number be switched. Keep
in mind that if you have DSL service, you must retain a phone number
with the service provider of the DSL because the DSL service is provided
over that telephone line. If you want to get rid of your current phone
company all together, then we suggest you use a Cable Internet Service
Provider.
911 Service: Most of the VoIP carriers offer E911
service, but not all. Be sure to check if the VoIP provider offers E911
because it is not a given. If the VoIP provider does not offer E911,
then we suggest that you either have a cell phone or traditional
landline to use in case of an emergency. (Note: It is also important to
point out that if you take your VoIP phone when traveling, E911 has no
way of knowing where you are when you call 911 if you are away from the
registered address.)
International Calling: If you make a lot of
international calls, you will want to do a lot of research on
International Rates as they vary by provider. There are a few carriers
that offer unlimited calling to certain countries.
Money Back
Guarantee: Since VoIP is a relatively new product; most all VoIP
providers will offer a free money back guarantee. Be sure to check with
each provider as we have seen the money back guarantees range from a
14-day to a 30-day money back guarantee. (Note: Be sure to keep the
original packaging that your equipment came in just in case you need to
send it back)
This is only a short list. In fact, there are many
things to consider when choosing a VoIP provider. An educated consumer
generally results in a satisfied consumer.