Compare Voip Service Providers- Comcast Digital - Vonage

Voip.com

		This service offers an option for everyone from home phone service to a second mobile line as well as using your computer as a phone. The two home phone calling plans include unlimited monthly for $19.99 a month or unlimited yearly for $16.99 per month. The mobile line II option allows you to reduce long distance fees by 99% not to mention having the option of keeping your number even if you switch cell providers. The other plan is using your PC as a telephone to call over the Internet. Download the software and you may make phone calls right through your computer. more details

Comcast Digital Phone

		VoIP through Comcast is known as Digital Voice. This service offers unlimited calls, both local and long distance, enhanced voice mail, and many other popular calling features for a flat fee of $39.95 per month. This rate applies only for those clients already subscribing to high speed Internet and cable from Comcast. One aspect of this service is the digital voice center. This center allows users to manage their account, see their call history, and check their voice mail. Users may also sign up for notification by email every time they receive a new voicemail. Another feature from Comcast is the backup battery system that keeps your phone working even during power outages. more details

Time Warner Cable

		Digital phone service from Time Warner Cable costs $39.99 a month and may be bundled with high speed Internet service as well as cable service. When bundled the digital phone rate is lower. The features of Time Warner’s digital phone service include unlimited long distance in the United States and to Canada. Voice mail, caller ID, call waiting, keep your own number, and 911 service are all features offered through Time Warner digital phone. Installation of the service is free and high speed Internet service is not required. more details

Via Talk

		Via Talk offers several plans including vt_500, vt_Unlimited, vtb_1500, and vtb_unlimited. The first plan is $9.95 per month and has 500 minutes to US and Canada as well as voicemail, caller ID, and other features. The vt_unlimited plan offers unlimited long distance to US and Canada at a rate of $199 per year. Features like 911, caller ID, and the like are included. The next plan vtb_1500 is $29.95 per month and offers 1500 minutes in the US and Canada with voicemail, caller ID, call waiting, and other features. The vtb_unlimited plan offers unlimited calling in the US and Canada for $39.95 per month and features like voicemail, caller ID, call waiting, and more. more details

Packet 8

		Packet 8 offers both residential and business VoIP services. An Internet connection is needed like DSL or cable as well as a service plan from Packet 8 and corresponding hardware. This includes a broadband phone adapter. The residential service plans range in price. The cheapest is free with VoIP through the computer, then a $14.99 a month plan for 500 minutes up to a $29.99 a month plan with unlimited calls in the US, Canada, and 40 other countries. Business plans are available for call centers or even small businesses. Many features are offered and the plans are incredibly affordable. Plans may be tailored for your business needs. more details

Lingo.com

		Residential and business plans are offered by Lingo.com. Lingo subscribers receive unlimited minutes, caller ID, voicemail, call waiting, and more for $7.95 per month. For $14.95 per month users may call the US, Canada, and Puerto Rica with the above features. And, for $195 per year users receive unlimited minutes to US, Canada, and Puerto Rica. Business plans include free equipment, keeping your business’s current phone number, and a choice of three different plans. The business plan prices are $39.95, $49.95, and $79.95. more details

VoIP Basics

Add a Second Number

You may have heard about adding a second virtual number to your mobile phone but did not quite understand it. This simply means you add a VoIP phone number to your existing cell phone number. This allows you to enhance the cellular service you already have and you can keep your actual cell phone number private if you choose to do so. You can even keep it quite when you are calling other people. Screen calls and enjoy the extra VoIP features through your cell phone. Not to mention if you change service providers you can maintain your virtual VoIP number with no problem.

Broadband Connection

A broadband connection simply refers to a high-speed Internet connection. This is required in many instances to make VoIP phone calls, or phone calls over the Internet. A broadband Internet connection is obtained through a service contract with an Internet Service Provider, or ISP. This may be through your cable or telephone company. Not all VoIP services require a high-speed Internet connection but many of them do. The requirement for Internet depends on the type of VoIP that is being used.

Bundle Packages

Having a separate company for each service in your home means receiving several different bills and having to deal with each company should a problem occur. However, there are bundle packages offered for telephone, Internet, and cable service by companies like Time Warner, AT&T, Comcast, and quite a few others. The cable allows for the cable TV and it carries the Internet, which in turn supports the VoIP telephone service. Bundling services results in an overall savings on the three services and only one bill to pay.

Keep Your Number

Many people are not interested in changing phone service plans even if it could save them money simply because they do not want to lose their phone number. However, with many VoIP services you will be able to keep your current number. Not all of them do so if it is important to you then you should double check before signing up for service. However, the vast majority of VoIP service providers allow you to keep your number and all you need is a letter of authorization from your current telephone provider.

VoIP with a Computer

VoIP, Voice over Internet Protocol, may be used through a telephone or a computer. When used through a computer a high speed or broadband Internet connection is necessary. The reason why is because a dial up connection is not powerful enough to support the software and conversation. A broadband Internet connection however is strong enough to support VoIP and that is why it is necessary to use VoIP with a computer. As long as the software for the VoIP program is downloaded and there is a high speed Internet connection available any computer may be used to make phone calls to other computers anywhere in the world, and many times for free.

VoIP over Mobile

VoIP over mobile, a new phrase to simply say, "using your cell phone to make VoIP calls", is becoming very popular worldwide. That is because it allows cell phone users to take advantage of VoIP right through their cell phone and this is relatively new technology. The benefit is that you can use your cell phone to make phone calls to anywhere in the world using the VoIP network and saving a great deal of money. Not all cell phone companies will allow this so read your contract first.

VoIP via Telephone

You may use your own telephone to make VoIP calls as long as you have an adapter and a VoIP service plan. Many companies offer VoIP through the telephones you currently have as long as you install an adapter or else through specialized phones made for VoIP. When specialized phones or an adapter is used then a high-speed Internet service is not required.