VoIP FAQs

1. Can You Provide Me With a Brief Explanation of VoIP?
2. How Do I Make a VoIP Phone Call?
3. What Kind Of Equipment Do I Need to Use VoIP?
4. Can I Call Anyone Using VoIP?
5. What are Some Advantages of Using VoIP?
6. Are There Any Disadvantages of Using VoIP?
7. Do I Need a Computer to Use VoIP?
8. Can I Use VoIP When I Travel?
9. How Will I Know if Someone is Calling Me from a VoIP Phone?
   

Question 1: Can You Provide Me With a Brief Explanation of VoIP?

VoIP allows you to make telephone calls over an existing Internet
connection. VoIP converts a voice signal (analog) from your telephone
into a digital signal that then travels over the Internet to the desired
location. It then converts the digital signal back to analog so the
person on the other end can hear what you are saying.

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Question 2: How Do I Make a VoIP Phone Call?

The first step of making a VoIP phöne call is to subscribe to a service.
Once you sign up for service, the VoIP service provider will then send
you a broadband phöne adapter, which plugs directly into your internet
connection. You will then have to plug your existing telephone into the
phöne adapter. Lastly, all you have to do is pick up the telephone and
dial the number.

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Question 3: What Kind Of Equipment Do I Need to Use VoIP?

You need three things in order to use VoIP:
(a) A high-speed Internet connection (either cable or DSL);
(b) A broadband phöne adapter (provided by the VoIP service provider);
and
(c) Any standard (analog or digital) telephone.

Is there a difference when placing a local or long dïstance call when
using VoIP? Not really. VoIP phöne calls are made just the same way as
traditional calls are made. When dialing local calls, all you have to do
is dial 7 digits (555-1212) and when dialing long dïstance, all you have
to do is dial 11 digits (1-408-555-1212).

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Question 4: Can I Call Anyone Using VoIP?

Yes. You can call anyone, anywhere as long as they have a valid
telephone number. It can be a local call, long dïstance call,
international call, cellphone, toll frëe, 911 (assuming they have E911
capability) and 411 directory assistance. Most VoIP providers will not
allow calls to 900 or 976 telephone numbers, nor will they accept
collect calls.

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Question 5: What are Some Advantages of Using VoIP?

(a) Cost - Most VoIP providers charge between $20 and $25 a month.
(b) Unlïmited calling in the U.S and Canada.
(c) All the features are included (voicemail, caller id, call waiting,
3-way, call forwarding and much more)
(d) VoIP is portable. You can take the phöne adapter anywhere where
there is an existing Internet connection, plug it in and make calls as
if you were at home.
(e) The ability to choose your own area code. You can live in New York
and choose to have a California telephone number.

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Question 6: Are There Any Disadvantages of Using VoIP?

Yes.

(a) If the power goes out in your home you will also löse your Internet
connection, which means that your phöne service will also be down. Some
VoIP service providers offer a feature that allows customers to
designate a forwarding number if their Internet connection goes down for
any reason.

(b) Not all VoIP Providers offer E911. This means that if you call 911
from your VoIP phöne, it may not go to the local public dispatcher.
Rather, it will get routed to an answering service first.

(c) Call Quality. At certain times of the day, the call quality of phöne
conversations will suffer. This could be due to bandwidth sharing, or
slow Internet connection.

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Question 7: Do I Need a Computer to Use VoIP?

No. Although most VoIP customers do have a computer, one is not needed.
The broadband phöne adapter simply plugs into a router (or modem) to get
a connection.

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Question 8: Can I Use VoIP When I Travel?

Yes. You can use your VoIP service wherever you travel as long as you
have a high speed Internet connection available and you bring your
broadband phöne adapter and telephone with you.

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Question 9: How Will I Know if Someone is Calling Me from a VoIP Phone?

You won't. The VoIP phöne works just like a traditional telephone. The
quality and experience is that good.

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