VoIP - Pros and Cons

By Joanne Greco

VOIP is short for Voice Over Internet Protocol, what that means is that your phone calls will be made through an internet connection, rather than through standard telephone land lines. Though it's relatively new, many people have decided to switch over to VOIP phone service for a number of reasons.

One of the biggest advantages of VOIP is that no matter where you are, if you can connect to the internet, you can make and receive phone calls. In many cases, service providers will offer a package that allows local calling from anywhere in the world. What this means is that if you call any phone number in your local home phone area, even if you are across the world, it will be charged as a local call. This is the same if anyone in your local home area calls your number, even if you're somewhere else, it's a local call.

Another advantage of VOIP is that most providers include extra features, such as caller ID, call forwarding, 3 way calling and auto redial. These features can be costly with standard phone service. VOIP also works with many instant messaging programs like MSN, Google Talk and Skype. It can also be used for file sharing, video conferencing, voice conferencing and other internet based applications.

VOIP providers often offer unlimited calls to and from your phone number, even if you're calling overseas, which can save you a great deal of money every year. For those who call distant relatives often, VOIP is definitely the way to go.

The biggest disadvantage is that, if you lose your internet connection, your phone will not work. Also, if you have a slow connection or any interference, you can get an echo or dropped calls. VOIP phones need electricity as well, so if your power goes out, so will your phone.

VOIP service is not the most secure way to communicate, because they are sent over the internet, it is possible for someone with the right know how, to listen in on your calls. Another problem is with caller ID, VOIP phones will not show up on the call ID of people you call.

So VOIP might not be something you want to rely on completely, but teamed with something like a prepaid cell phone, it can definitely save you some money on your phone bill.

For more information on VOIP phone services please go to: http://voipphoneservicesonline.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joanne_Greco http://EzineArticles.com/?VoIP---Pros-and-Cons&id=2844487