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.
