Side by Side – Comparing VoIP Services

Side by Side – Comparing VoIP Services

VOIP is all the rage today. Business are all carefully considering how this technology can change the way they communicate. Since this technology regarding this technology is pretty much in development, most of the jargon (and even information regarding it) are Greek to most every other person.

Add to that quandary the number of upstart companies all trying to seek a means to make the most of this technology by offering services in this regard. With so many VOIP services to choose from, you may get a little confused on which service to subscribe to.

VOIP and has totally revolutionized the world of telecommunications. You may have also heard how it can save companies a great deal of money owing to the fact that it is a whole deal of a lot cheaper than POTS (Plain Old Telephone Services). The potential VOIP offers has conventional telecommunication companies quaking in their boots – not to mention scrambling to get into the VOIP bandwagon before it’s too late.

Here are some of the emerging services that feature VOIP. Each has features and characteristics that will cater to differing subscribers. You will want to consider each carefully before taking the plunge.

1. Traditional Phone Companies – The major telecommunication companies are considering how they can best integrate VOIP in their lineup of services. Some companies, such as Voyage have started to offer such services at around $50 per month for unlimited calling.

Some of the leading companies stray from directly labeling the new service as VOIP, settling for other conjured monikers to help with the marketing efforts since VOIP is already expected to be cheaper – a moniker gives the impression that the company has slashed rates.

However, traditional phone companies, while stable and reliable, will tend to be pricey. But if you are looking for a solution that will at least guarantee you quality and support, this may be the way to go.

2. Online Services – Upstart online services such as Skype are responsible for making VOIP as popular as it is today. It was this service that initiated all the rage regarding VOIP. Skype, in particular, opened the eyes of internet users to the possibility of making overseas phone calls at slashed rates. It does this by using the internet to bypass a host of carriers that carry exorbitant rates. For example, instead of having a call route three times from origin to destination, the internet reduces the hops to one or two, saving on the cost of calls.

Skype is the preferred medium of communication among single users and small businesses. They are cheap and give generally good service.

3. Open-source VoIP – There are other services that offer cheaper services based on open source and new and proprietary software. While these systems which are at the edge of technology are attractive and potentially cheaper and more efficient, the fact that they are quasi-experimental leads most to consider them risky.

If you can verify the services for such carriers, then they are services to look out for.

Conclusion
There are other players in the VOIP game, and it pays to consider how these players’ features and characteristics stack up to your needs and budget. As with most new technologies, the use of VOIP poses risks that will only be resolved as it is better developed. However, it wouldn’t be bad advice to consider jumping into the VOIP ship as soon as possible after careful thought.