With the current explosion of VoIP all over the world, it is not surprising that many people in the U.S. are now jumping on the VoIP bandwagon. The technology works by routing voice conversations over the Internet via IP networks. The voice data does not use circuit switch transmission lines of the past, but instead uses packet switched networks that do the same thing, but cheaper and more efficiently.



Once connected and installed, VoIP works just like any other phone: pick up the phone - wait for the dial tone ? dial a number ? wait for the person to answer ? and start a conversation. In most cases the person on the other end can't tell the difference between VoIP and traditional phone service.

This amazing technology has many benefits for consumers and businesses today. Take a look at these top benefits and decide if you want to switch to VoIP today!

VoIP Doesn't Drain the Bank Account

Here is a quick exercise. Take out your current telephone bill and examine each line item. You might find something like this: (1) $19.99 for the basic phone service, (2) $5 for call waiting, (3) $2 for caller id, (4) $10 for voicemail and the list goes on. This total amount doesn't even consider any long distance charges or applicable taxes either. Once calculated, your phone bill might be between $60 and $75 dollars. That is too much money to pay for phone service.

With VoIP, consumers pay one low monthly fee for phone service. And, the beautiful thing is that all the features are included in the fees; with some features not even being offered by the phone companies like voicemail to email and call forwarding to name a few. Now here is the mind blower: included in the low monthly fee is unlimited calling to the US and Canada! The industry standard for VoIP service is anywhere from $15 to $25 per month; not bad cost saving at all.

VoIP is Portable

One thing most people hate about moving into a new house is not the hard labor of lifting boxes all day long; it's having to call the phone company to disconnect and reconnect their phone service. It's a hassle and there are always fees associated. Because VoIP is connected to a high-speed internet connection and not the traditional land line, it becomes almost as portable as a cell phone. Essentially, consumers can take their phone number anywhere they move; and even if it's just for a weekend getaway.

For example, let's assume that you have to go on a business trip to New York. Simply pack up your phone adapter, (power supply & cables) and your touch tone phone. When you arrive at your hotel in Manhattan, set up your phone adaptor and phone just as you had installed it at home. You can then make and receive telephone calls as if you were sitting down in your living room back home. It's that easy.

VoIP Lets You Choose Your Phone Number

With VoIP, consumers are no longer tied to their local phone number. What that means is that even if you live in Nebraska, you can have a California phone number. Many consumers take advantage of this feature when they have several friends and family members who live in a different state or city.

Most VoIP providers also offer virtual numbers. A virtual numbers is an inexpensive secondary line that rings to the primary VoIP line. In another example: let's assume that you live in San Francisco where your primary VoIP phone number has a 415 area code. Your mother-in-law lives in Florida and her area code is 561. You can get a virtual phone number with a 561 area code that rings to your primary line in San Francisco. That way, your mother-in-law can call you everyday without having to pay long distance telephone charges. This benefit alone should convince you to switch over to VoIP!

Cost savings, portability and frequent phone calls from your mother-in-law are all reasons why you should make that switch to VoIP. This technology is here to stay and there is no better time to adopt VoIP today and start saving on your phone bill tomorrow. It's a guarantee that once you go VoIP, you will never go back; to traditional phone service that is.