Comparing VoIP Providers
There are so many VoIP phone service providers in the market that it
can be difficult to decide on one until you start asking the right
questions. First, what is the quality of the service? Some VoIP
providers become popular by offering low priced digital phone services,
but these provider’s customers must endure frequently dropped
connections and sub-standard sound that makes calls difficult to hear.
Secondly, what features does the service offer? One of the key
selling points of digital, VoIP phone services are the exciting,
integrated features beyond what traditional phone service providers are
able to offer. However, it’s also important to consider which features
you will actually use. A laundry list of digital features that you
will never need or learn to use can be worse than not having any
special features at all. Finally, you will want to consider price.
Vonage VoIP Independent Hosted Phone Services
Vonage is an independently hosted VoIP phone service, which means
that it piggy-backs off of your already existing broadband Internet
connection to transmit your digital call. Although Vonage is one of the
cheapest VoIP phone service providers, low prices come at the hidden
cost of quality and customer service.
- Quality: Vonage does not control the broadband
Internet network along which it transmits its data, so they can never
provide the same quality of service a cable Internet access provider
also offering VoIP can. Vonage also out sources its customer service,
so you may have to jump through a few hoops to correct any issues that
arise.
- Features: Vonage offers 17 included features with
its unlimited plans, and you can choose to add 6 additional features on
to your service. A few of the most popular included features are 9-1-1
calling, call waiting, call forwarding, caller ID, enhanced voicemail,
call return, caller ID block and call transfer.
- Price: Under $25 per month for unlimited national calling.
AT&T DSL VoIP Phone Services
AT&T offers a plan called CallVantage, which delivers digital
phone calls over AT&T’s existing DSL service, or your existing
broadband Internet access plan with another provider.
- Quality: Unfortunately, VoIP experts recommend
against DSL for VoIP because the connection is usually slower than
cable broadband Internet, so AT&T loses the advantage in quality to
VoIP providers who able to offer bundled Internet access deals.
- Features: CallVantage includes 15 features. Some
of the most commonly requested digital phone features are 3-way
calling, call forwarding, call waiting, caller ID, E9-1-1, directory
assistance and enhanced voicemail.
- Price: Under $30 per month for unlimited national calling, with the first month free.
Time Warner Road Runner Cable VoIP
Time Warner Road Runner offers digital phone over a cable broadband
Internet access line, one of the best connection types for VoIP. Time
Warner also offers bundled telecommunications services, so you can
consolidate your Internet access, cable television and digital phone
services into one low monthly bill.
- Quality: For the best quality, you should get
digital phone services from the same telecommunications company that
provides your high speed cable Internet access. If you choose to get
both your broadband Internet and your VoIP phone service from Time
Warner, you will enjoy the best possible sound quality and reliability.
- Features: Time Warner digital phone services
provide 15 exciting features, including speed dial, enhanced 9-1-1
service, caller ID, call waiting, call waiting ID, caller ID block,
call forwarding and anonymous call reject.
- Price: Under $40 per month for unlimited national calling, or less if you choose a bundled telecommunications package.
|
