Whichvoip.com Guide to VoIP Phone Service Features and Terms

One of the big advantages that VoIP telephony service has to offer over your regular phone service is the abundance of enhanced and useful features associated with VoIP technology. This guide will take you through the most common features that typically come free as part of your VoIP phone service, providing an explanation of each one along with our own whichvoip.com opinion and rating.

Click on any feature below to go directly to the guide for that feature or scroll down to view all features.

When you don't want to receive calls from a specific number, add it to your call blocking list, which blocks calls from numbers on the list.

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This can be a useful feature if you want to block certain phone numbers, for example an ex-boyfriend/husband or ex-girlfriend/wife. This can be a lot easier than changing your phone number. Another great feature for helping you manage your calls.

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Know who is calling before you even answer the phone. All you need is a Caller ID enabled touch tone device, and the number of who is calling will be displayed in the Caller ID box.

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If you don't like answering the phone not knowing who is calling, this is a must. You can see straight away if it's a number you know and who is calling. This feature helps you easily manage and screen your incoming calls.

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Know who is calling before you even answer the phone. All you need is a Caller ID enabled touch tone device, and the name and number of who is calling will be displayed in the Caller ID box.

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A great feature for managing your calls. With this feature you know the name of the person who is calling you before you pick up the phone. You can then decide whether you want to answer the call or let it go to voice mail. Please note that you will need a Caller ID enabled touch tone telephone to use this feature. This feature is similar to Caller ID but with the added benefit of providing a name as well as the number of the person calling.

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Automatically forward incoming calls to another phone number, or in some cases straight to voicemail.

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This can be a very useful feature if you don't want to miss any important calls while you are away from your home. You can configure this feature to forward your calls to your cell phone, your work phone, your voice mail, or even your parents home when visiting. Some Service Providers offer call forwarding to more than one phone number.

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If you are on the phone and another call comes in, call waiting will alert you with a special tone. You would then have the choice of answering or letting the call go to voice mail.

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This is a great feature if you are waiting for a call, but then someone else calls you and ties up your line. No more worries about missing that important call. Typically, you will hear a succession of beeps letting you know that someone else is trying to get through. You can then simply connect to the incoming call, generally with a touch of a button. Another effective way to manage your calls.

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The ability to send analog faxes over your VoIP phone line or have an additional VoIP phone line added for this purpose.

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This is dependant on the users requirement, a must for people who use standard analog fax machines and not important to those who don't. Most service providers who do support analog faxing don't provide a 100% guarantee on all fax machines working though. There could be some trial and error with this feature. Some providers may require a second line specifically for a fax machine connection. Another option to consider is what is commonly known as 'e-fax'. This is a feature that allows the user to receive faxes as email attachments. Some providers support the 'e-fax' feature.

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Call the last number that you dialed, generally with the push of a button.

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A basic feature but useful if you want to call someone back quickly. This can be useful and time saving when you call someone and the line is busy. You can then use the re-dial feature to quickly try calling again, rather than dialing the whole number each time.

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Number portability is the ability to keep your current phone number and bring it to your new phone service provider. If a phone company offers number portability it means you can bring your current phone number to them rather than losing your number when you switch phone service providers.

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This is an important feature, and one that all the service providers are striving to achieve. Some provide it currently and some are close to providing this feature. With this feature you can keep your current phone number if you decide to change your phone service over to VoIP. This can be very useful if you are training young children to memorize your phone number, or if you just don't want the hassle of providing friends, family and businesses with your new phone number. Of course, you can always choose a different number if you want to. Please note that your current phone service provider may not provide this porting feature.

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Voice mail will answer the phone if you don't take a call or are on the line with another party. Parties can then leave messages for you on your voice mail.

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This basically performs the same task as your answering machine except that the messages are held by the Service Provider rather than on your answering machine in your home. This is a must, and allows you to throw away that old answering machine at last. Also, see "Enhanced Voice Mail".

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Talk with two parties at the same time. Call the first party, hit the appropriate button, dial the second party and hit the button again. Then talk as normal.

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What a great feature. You can now talk to your mum and your brother or sister at the same time, or maybe your two best friends. Whoever it is, 3 way conversations are very convenient for saving time when spreading good news, making plans with a group, or just for catching up with friends.

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Call directory assistance in your area to obtain phone numbers or other information for local businesses, such as restaurants.

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A useful feature to those people who like to use this service. This is purely dependant on the person, some people like to use this service and some people may never use it. Directory assistance is usually up to date with new businesses that may not be in the phone book yet. This usually comes at a premium since you pay for each 411 call.

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Your VoIP provider directs calls to local Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) based on the area code for your system.

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The 911 service provided by VoIP service is different than what your regular phone service provides. With you normal telephone service, your 911 call is routed to a 911 Emergency Response Center. With VoIP your 911 call will go to a general access line at a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP). Due to the nature of VoIP the PSAP will not be provided your location information automatically when your call is answered. Therefore, you will need to provide your location and telephone number clearly, after stating the nature of your emergency. Please be aware of this difference, and let visiting family and friends be aware of these differences in case an emergency arises and they need to provide the relevant information. Also, see "Enhanced 911 Service".

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Block calls that do not have originating phone numbers

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If you are fed up with getting anonymous phone calls, then you'll love this feature. With this great feature you can automatically block calls that do not have an originating number. This is another great feature for managing your incoming calls.

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Select an area code from a list of available area codes that best fits your business and personal needs

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What a great feature. Maybe you are moving to a new location with your job, going to college, or just want to have a new start somewhere else, you can still select your old area code for your phone number (if the service provider has service in that area). This means that you will still be a local call away from family and friends back home.

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Transfer calls you have already answered to another phone of your choosing

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This can be a surprisingly useful feature. When you get an important phone call for someone else in your household while they are out you can transfer the call directly to their cell phone or business phone. A great feature to control your calls.

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This option allows you to hide your Caller ID when calling others.

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A great feature if you want to stop your identity from showing up on Caller ID enabled phones. Keep in mind that people may not answer a call if they are checking their caller ID and don't see a phone number they recognize.

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This feature allows the user to change their phone number themselves, either on-line or over the phone via customer service.

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This could be a very useful feature. You can change your phone number without changing phone companies. Problems with unwanted callers, decide you want to change your area code, moving house, whatever the reason, with this feature changing your number is easy. Some providers allow you to request a new number on-line with a click of a button, others may require you to phone customer service.

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Assign specific names to your Caller ID display. Lets say your Mom's name is Susan Smith. With regular Caller ID her name would be displayed something like "SMITH S." With contact lists you can edit display names. Simply assign the name you want with the corresponding number. In this case, assign "MOM" and every time she calls, "MOM" will be displayed in the Caller ID box.

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A great feature. Personalize what your Caller ID displays. You can have Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa, Bob, whatever you want. Use this feature in combination with the "Caller ID with Name" feature.

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Assign specific ring tones to specific phone numbers or to specific callers.

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A great feature for helping you manage and personalize your phone calls. You can have different ring tones for different callers so you know exactly who is calling when your phone rings. If you have two numbers on your primary line, you can also set these up to have different ring tones. This can help distinguish between your business number and your home number for example.

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Forward calls to your voice mail. This option allows you to send incoming calls to your voice mail without your phone ringing.

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A great feature when you don't want to be disturbed while you have that mid day nap, or the baby is sleeping, or you just don't want to be disturbed while you watch the game. All your calls will go straight to voicemail and your phone will never ring.

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E911 stands for Enhanced 911. When 911 is dialed the call is routed to emergency personnel at Public Safety Answering Points (PSAP) and the location of the caller (address) is transferred to them. The service works like a regular 911 call would, except that the address transferred is the address on file for that number. However, if you move or take your VoIP device when you travel, you must remember to update your location with this service.

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The user must be aware that this is still not the same as the 911 service that is provided through your regular phone service. However, this is the closest to that service that is currently available with VoIP phone service. As long as you register your location information through your Service Provider your address will be available to the PSAP. Make sure you let any visiting family and friends know of the differences with this service.

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Listen to your voice mail over the Internet using your provider web account, from any phone, or receive voice mails as an email attachment.

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Enhanced voicemail brings a whole new host of ways to listen to your messages and to be notified that you have messages. With this feature you can retrieve your voice messages from any phone, not just your home phone. So, if you are out or away overnight, you can dial in from anywhere and check your messages. You can get email notifications sent to you when someone leaves a message for you. You can even have an audio file of the message sent to your email, which you can then listen to on your computer, or any computer. This is a great feature for saving messages from loved ones, old and young, for years to come.

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Add extra phone numbers to the same phone line. For example, you can have a California number, Colorado number, and Florida number all ring on the same line.

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This is one of whichvoip.com's favorite feature. You can add extra phone numbers to your primary line, with any area code of your selection (in line with area code availability from the provider). So, if you are from San Francisco and decide to move to Seattle, you can add a San Francisco number as an additional number (virtual number) on your primary Seattle line. This allows your family and friends to call you like it is a local number.

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Allows you to block and unblock the international calling option to prevent unintentional international calls.

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Does your young child like to pick up the phone and dial random numbers and then leave the phone lying around? Ever found those unexpected international charges after friends or family have been visiting? This feature could save those unexpected charges on your phone bill by allowing you to manage whether or not international dialing is blocked on your phone. This feature can be turned on or off, typically via your online account manager so that it is not easily disabled.

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Whether you move a block away or across the country, as long as you have a high-speed Internet connection and stay with your Service Provider, your number will always stay the same.

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Never have to change your phone number again. No more trying to remember your new number or trying to remember your old phone number at the grocery store. No more having to let people know your new number, or missing important calls after you have moved house. Move from Chicago to Miami and still keep your number. This is not an everyday use feature but can be very useful when you make that important decision to move.

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Forwards incoming calls to another number if line is no longer available.

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We consider this a huge feature. One of the disadvantages of VoIP is that if your broadband connection is not available your VoIP service is not either. With this feature, you can have your calls forwarded to another number of your choice, your cell number or other number that you can be reached at, if your broadband connection is not available. With this feature you will never miss any calls.

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Rings multiple phone numbers all at once (or also in sequence for Call hunt/Find me feature). Have it ring your cell phone, home phone, office phone, and other phone numbers of your choice. The first phone to be answered gets the call. With this option calls are not missed and they are easily transferable to the appropriate party.

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This is a great feature for call management. Never miss an important call again. You can set this feature to ring multiple phones when someone calls your primary VoIP phone line. Most service providers allow you to choose from any number, US or international, cell phone or regular phone, and up to at least 4 numbers. So, when someone calls your primary phone number, your home phone rings as well as any other numbers you have set up to ring. Whichever one you pick up first gets the call. This can be a great feature for the small or home office too.

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Manage your account on the Internet. Add features to your account or find out when your next payment is due.

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Most service providers allow you to control and manage your VoIP phone account and features on line. This can be a great way to check your call logs, check your account details, and to check all your features settings.

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The option to use software loaded onto your computer to make phone calls instead of using your phone. This is helpful when traveling because you can use your laptop to make calls and you do not have to bring any additional equipment.

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This is a fantastic option for those people who travel with a laptop. You have your phone integrated into your PC. All you need is a microphone and speakers or headphones to be able to call anyone. Some service providers have this option in addition to your VoIP phone service, but more typically this is provided as a separate service. This is not a required feature for the typical VoIP user.

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Your phone will automatically redial if there is a busy signal on the line you are trying to call.

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Ever get fed up waiting to get through to someone on the phone? Still getting that busy signal? Now you can use this feature to let you know when the person's line you are trying to call becomes free. Your phone will even ring you back when you are being connected. A very useful feature if patience is not your strong point!

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If you miss a call use this option to call that number back.

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Just got in the bath or shower and the phone rings? Relax, and let it ring. With the Return Call feature you can call back whoever was calling you with the touch of a few buttons without knowing who called or their number.

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Dial pre-programmed numbers by entering the corresponding one or two digits.

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This is a great feature for those phone numbers that you call the most. No more dialing 11 digits and getting wrong numbers, just dial the pre-programmed digit(s) and connect. Just make sure you put your mom at number one!

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Some telemarketers have a 2-3 second pause before they are connected with potential customers. When this happens the feature is programmed to disconnect the call before the telemarketer can make their pitch.

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This is a fantastic feature and one you will love if you are fed up with telemarketers phoning just as you sit down for your evening meal. This feature typically sends out a special tone that fools the telemarketers auto-dialers into thinking that your number is not in service. The auto-dialers disconnect immediately and move onto the next number, leaving you to eat your evening meal in peace.

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With this feature anyone in the US can call your number for no charge.

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Have kids at college who complain about how much it costs to phone you each week? Have a small home business and want it to look professional? Your grandmother is on a fixed income and can't afford the charges to phone you? Then this is a feature you need to consider. With a toll free number anyone in the US can call you for free. When someone calls your toll free number your primary VoIP phone line will ring. Service Providers typically charge a monthly fee (around $5) for this service, with some incoming minutes free of charge, and then a fixed rate for minutes that you use over your free monthly quota (typically 4 to 5 cents/min).

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When you are traveling internationally, customers and family will not have to pay high international rates to reach you. Bring your VoIP system with you and with high-speed Internet access, friends and family can reach you on your local VoIP number.

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One of the great features and advantages of VoIP is its portability. All you need is a broadband internet connection and your VoIP enabled phone, ATA adaptor, or PC based 'softphone' and away you go. Your phone number is associated with your VoIP device (either your VoIP enabled phone, your ATA of your PC based 'softphone' feature), so no matter where you go, your phone number will be the same. As long as you have your phone plugged into a broadband internet connection, your phone will ring when someone calls your phone number, no matter where you are in the world. If you are going to visit the in-laws for a week but want to keep in touch with people back home, then just take your ATA with you, plug it in and make and receive calls as if you were back home. Going on a business trip for a few days. Take it with you and keep in touch with family and friends. Please remember when traveling internationally that you are responsible for your ATA which often belongs to the Service Provider.

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Call anywhere in the US and Canada without long-distance toll charges.

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Do you find yourself caught chatting with your mother, sister or brother back home for hours? Stopped calling all your old college friends due to high phone charges? Do you dread those phone bills each month, wondering how much the charges will be? With this feature you can talk for as long as you like to anyone in the US or Canada, safe in the knowledge that your phone bill will be the same every month. No hidden charges and no extra fees for minutes used. This is truly one of the great features and advantages of VoIP telephony service.

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