Voice Over Internet Protocol - VOIP

These days people are hearing a lot about VOIP phone services, especially the leading service provider, Vonage. Voice Over IP is a way to route telephone calls over the Internet, which makes it much less expensive. You don't have to worry about the technical details at all, but essentially sending data over a packet networks consumes a lot less resources and is therefore cheaper than using a switched network like traditional telephone companies use. The main requirement for using VOIP phone service is to have a broadband Internet connection, such as DSL or cable.

VOIP Phone Service ProvidersThere are quite a few service providers to compare before you make your final choice, and we offer comparisons of some of the leading companies here. With some providers you use special software on your computer to make calls. However, most people want to use their own telephones like normal, and the top services we list here support that. With these you generally just need a phone adapter device to plug your telephone into, and you can sometimes even transfer your phone number to the Voice Over IP company so you don't have to change numbers.

Vonage This leading provider was rated #1 by CNet, and their goal is to help you save 50% or more on your phone bill. Vonage has a basic plan for $14.99 a month, but the Premium Unlimited plan for just $24.99 is most popular because you get unlimited local and long distance calling, plus many features included such as caller ID, voicemail, call waiting, call forwarding, etc. Calls to Canada and Puerto Rico are considered local in all plans, and they have low International rates worldwide. It's quick and easy to sign up and use, since you just need to plug your phone into a Vonage adapter, which you also plug into your high speed internet connection. You get exceptional sound quality and you can even keep your current phone number in most cases. Joing the Vonage VOIP phone service now and get your first month Free! If you are Canadian, try Vonage Canada.

ViaTalk Another broadband phone service is ViaTalk. The vt_500 plan is their value offering, which is just $9.95 per month. Step up to vt_unlimited, for just $15.95 per month, to enjoy unlimited calling to anywhere in the US and Canada. They have really low International rates, with 3 - 5 cent per minute charges for many common countries. With Via Talk plans e911, voicemail, caller ID, call forwarding, call waiting, *69 call return and other features are included. Take advantage of the Internet phone special, where you get 6 free months, no initial equipment fee and fast & easy installation with the 24 month plan.

VOIP.com If you are interested in saving 50% or more on your phone bill, check out Voip.com. They offer low rates for a monthly unlimited calling plan. Sign up for the yearly plan, for an even lower effective monthly rate. Visit their site to check out the useful tools where you can check if you can keep your existing phone number, calculate how much you can save and take a speed test so that you can find out how many internet phone lines your broadband connection can support. There are very low international rates, and they offer tips and a blog so you can make the most of the voip.com service. Check it out now to see if you can get the first month free.

NetZero Voice NetZero Internet is a leader in free and cheap Internet service, and they also offer a service for cheap calls. Netzero Voice Unlimited is just $14.95 per month and you get unlimited computer to phone minutes, unlimited computer to computer minutes, free incoming calls, voicemail, caller ID, call waiting and more. Plus it works over dial-up or broadband. NetZeroVoice features great International rates starting at just 2 cents per minute. With NetZero Voice, calls are made to and from your computer, which means you cannot use your regular phone like you do with Vonage or ViaTalk. Subscribe today to get your first month free!

Verizon VoiceWing Another voice over Internet protocal calling service is Verizon VoiceWing. With them you get unlimited nationwide calling for as low as $24.95 per month. Calling to Canada is now included with all Voice Wing plans, and low international rates are available. They are loaded with calling features, including voice mail, caller ID, etc., and you have special abilities like checking your voicemail online and making calls from your home number when you are at other locations. They work like Vonage.com and ViaTalk, where you can use your normal phone, you just need to plug it into special hardware (a VoiceWing adapter) from Verizon. Order today to take advantage of an exclusive online offer: a waived setup fee, which is a $19.95 value.

While the above services can save you a lot of money with discount pricing compared to your regular telephone bill, you can actually get free service. Skype is the leading free calling service, and it plans to stay free forever. It is easy to download and use the Skype software, which allows you to make free calls over the Internet to other people running Skype on their computer. The downside with Skype is that you can't use your regular telephone or number, and you can't call landlines or mobiles for free either (except that now, for a limited time until the end of 2006 you can make free calls to the US and Canada).