Below are just some of the most commonly asked questions about our VoIP phone services.
1. What does VoIP stand for?
2. What is VoIP?
3. Do I need special equipment to use VoIP?
4. Can I use more than one phone with VoIP?
5. Do I have to change phone numbers to use VoIP?
6. Is there a difference in sound quality using VoIP?
7. What about disconnection or connection problems using VoIP?
8. Is there a difference between local calls and long distance calls using VoIP?
9. What is the biggest advantage to using broadband phone service?
10. VoIP will save me money? How much?
11. Can I make 911 calls with my VoIP phone?
12. Does VoIP offer features with their phone service?
13. What features can I get with my VoIP phone?
14. Will VoIP work in a power outage?
15. How do I make a VoIP call?
16. What about faxing? Can I send a fax with a VoIP service?
17. Does my computer have to be on in order to use my VoIP phone?
18. Can I use my VoIP when I travel?
19. I don’t live in the US, can I still get VoIP?
What does VoIP stand for?
VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol.
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What is VoIP?
VoIP allows you to make telephone calls over the Internet by converting your voice signal to a digital signal that can travel via the Internet until it reaches its destination where it is converted back to a voice signal.
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Do I need special equipment to use VoIP?
You will require an Internet broadband connection (high speed). You will use a regular phone to make your calls however. You can hook up and use VoIP via your cable modem or through an adapter on your telephone.
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Can I use more than one phone with VoIP?
Yes, you can use more than one phone.
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Do I have to change phone numbers to use VoIP?
No, in most cases you can keep the same phone number.
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Is there a difference in sound quality using VoIP?
No, a VoIP call and a regular phone call will sound the same to the person on the other end. Likewise, you will be able to hear the person on the other end in the same manner as with a regular telephone.
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What about disconnection or connection problems using VoIP?
The problem that is most seen with VoIP and connection/disconnection is a poor Internet connection that is slow or unreliable. It is highly recommended that you have a 90 kbps upload and download speed to ensure good voice quality using VoIP.
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Is there a difference between local calls and long distance calls using VoIP?
In some cases, there are some differences between local and long distance calls based on your VoIP service provider and the plan you choose. In some cases, you get free calls to other subscribers of the same service, while others charge an additional fee. Some providers offer free long distance while others have flat rates for long distance or a fixed number of long distance minutes at a certain price. Some providers allow you to choose an area code that is different from the one you live in—which means you can make long distance calls within that area code range for no charge regardless of your geographical position.
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What is the biggest advantage to using broadband phone service?
Price reduction is by far the biggest advantage to switching to a VoIP service. Other advantages include additional features that are not offered on a traditional telephone, no fees for a phone line to make calls, the ability to talk to people all over the world for as long as you want if they have an Internet connection and allowing you to talk to multiple people at the same time without extra cost.
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VoIP will save me money? How much?
VoIP will dramatically reduce your telephone bill. In general, VoIP is much cheaper than regular telephone service because VoIP providers do not have to pay taxes or access fees that are typically charged to traditional phone companies. VoIP will save you the most money if you already have a DSL connection to the Internet and you typically spend more than $50 per month for your telephone.
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Can I make 911 calls with my VoIP phone?
Yes. Most VoIP service providers have access to 911 emergency services, so there is no need to keep a ‘land line’ to be able to access these crucial services.
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Does VoIP offer features with their phone service?
Yes, it does.
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What features can I get with my VoIP phone?
Most service providers offer the same type of features that your regular phone company does including:
Voicemail
Call Waiting
Caller ID
3-way Calling
Call Forwarding
Call Return (*69)
Caller ID Block
Online account management
Online voicemail access
Email voicemail alerts
Choose an Area Code
Free In-Network calling
Ability to use your phone number from anywhere in the world.
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Will VoIP work in a power outage?
No—if the power goes out or your Internet is down, you will not be able to use your VoIP phone.
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How do I make a VoIP call?
The same way you make phone calls on your regular phone, using your existing phone. (No need to buy a special phone—your VoIP package will come with the adapter you need.)
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What about faxing? Can I send a fax with a VoIP service?
Yes you can still fax using VoIP, however not all providers offer full faxing support. Check with the provider you choose to find out if they offer full support for faxing.
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Does my computer have to be on in order to use my VoIP phone?
No, but your broadband Internet connection must be active in order to use a VoIP phone.
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Can I use my VoIP when I travel?
Yes, as long as you take your adapter with you and have access to a high-speed Internet connection, you can use your VoIP.
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I don’t live in the US, can I still get VoIP?
VoIP is available anywhere there is an Internet connection, however most providers focus on US residents for service. Canada does have some VoIP service as well. If you do not have VoIP in your area but have a valid credit card and US Address, you can use any of the VoIP services from any high speed connection in the world and still use the same rates as if you were right in the US.
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