Is VoIP the Future of Telecom?

VoIP (voice over internet protocol) is an amazing technology. I was introduced to the service when I worked for a telemarketing company that actually sold websites that promoted the VoIP provider Intelefone. While selling the websites, I had to sell the service as well. It was so strange asking someone if they knew what VoIP was and getting a "no" reply and then sell them a website twenty minutes later for $1000!

VoIP has been around for a few years now, it was actually developed by the military for the military (like the internet) and then released to the public. Up until recently, it was never thought that VoIP would take over the telecommunications industry. We could either spend billions of dollars upgrading the system that BellSouth laid many years ago, or find another media to transmit our voices around the world...and then a light bulb clicked...Why not the internet? Most of the major phone companies offer VoIP service, but they call it "Digital Telephone Service." Why do you think that is? Is it because most of the independent VoIP providers offer the same service for less than the big name companies? You Betcha!!!

With so many different VoIP providers out there, who could really know which one to choose? There is a few different things to look for when you're choosing a VoIP provider. You should look to see exsactly what services are provided to you, how good the customer service is, how good the quality of the service is, and last but not least, the cost.

Why not Vonage?
Vonage and Skype are the two most recognized names in the VoIP industry. The problems with the big names, is exsactly just that...They charge more because they have the name to do it. You can usually find a VoIP provider that will offer a better service for less than the big names, simply because that is the only way that they will get customers. Many of the smaller providers don't have the millions to invest into advertising like Vonage has done. Skype's network has been developed more by the web-savvy and is geared more towards PC-to-PC calls, not to the traditional phone system.

Intelefone has one of the most exciting networks out there at the moment. They use hardware compression instead of a "soft phone" so you end up with a much higher quality of service. Another advantage of using this type of compression is it makes the service available to those out there who are still on a dial-up connection. Intelefone has some of the lowest rates out there (their US & Canada is cheaper than Vonage) and has a very good customer service team that can take care of all of your problems. They offer a free travel phone with every new account and offer the converter box for under $40 dollars.

The developments in the VoIP industry are just as rapid as they've been in the PC world. Everyday something new is coming out. With advancements in WiFi/WiMax technology, soon we will be seeing "wireless VoIP phones" (which are already in development). One of the most exciting things for me is the video phone. It's in development right now as well. It's much more exciting than the traditional webcam, because it's crystal clear with no delay!