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The following is a compilation of some frequently
asked questions regarding VoIP that we receive here at whichvoip.com.
Click on the question below that you are interested in and you will be
directed to the answer. Alternatively, you can scroll down and peruse
all of the questions and answers in this section at your leisure. If
there is a question that you need answered that doesn’t appear here,
please feel free to contact us via our Ask
the Experts page and we will be pleased to answer your specific
questions.
What is VoIP?
How does VoIP work?
What do I need to have to be able to get VoIP service?
What VoIP Service Providers are out there?
How do VoIP Service Providers Compare?
Who can I call using my VoIP service?
What are some of the advantages of using VoIP Service?
What are some of the disadvantages of using VoIP Service?
Will I be able to fax with my VoIP service?
Will I still be able to use my computer during a phone call?
Does my computer need to be ON for my VoIP phone service to work?
Will I be able to keep my existing phone number if I switch over to a VoIP Service Provider?
What happens if I move house, will I be able to keep my phone number and service?
What if I decide to change my phone number after I have VoIP service?
How difficult is it to set-up once I get VoIP service?
How do I add multiple phones to my VoIP service?
What is VoIP?
VoIP is an acronym for Voice over Internet Protocol or as commonly stated Voice over IP. Internet Protocol (IP) is the method by which
data is sent over the Internet (from computer to computer for example). So, basically, VoIP is the
transmission of your voice over an internet connection.
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How does VoIP work?
As VoIP uses your internet connection to transmit your voice (analog) over the
internet (digital), your voice signal must first be converted into a digital signal that the
Internet Protocol (your internet connection) understands. This digital signal of your voice then
travels over the internet and is directed to the number you are calling. At the other end, the
digital signal is converted back to an analog signal (your voice) so the person you are calling
can hear you. The conversion at the other end allows you to speak to anyone with a regular phone
number, whether they have VoIP service or regular phone service. Refer to our
VoIP Explained page
for more detailed information on this topic.
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What do I need to have to be able to get VoIP service?
A high speed internet connection
is required, such as DSL or Cable Broadband
service. To use your existing phone you will need a phone adapter to allow connection to
your internet connection. This adapter provides the conversion from your analog voice to the digital
signal required for internet transmission. Alternatively, you can purchase a special VoIP phone (often called IP Phone),
which can be plugged straight into your internet connection with no phone adapter required. You
will also have to sign up for a VoIP Service Provider. Typically,
Service Providers will provide the required phone adapter free of
charge.
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What VoIP Service Providers are out there?
The number of VoIP Service Providers is increasing every week. Most
offer various VoIP solutions to suit most people’s needs, with varying prices and features.
For a list of VoIP Service Providers that best suit your needs, check out our search engine on
the Plan Search page.
Also, check out the VoIP Reviews page for
links to user reviews of VoIP Service Providers.
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How do VoIP Service Providers Compare?
This is an important question to ask. There are a number of VoIP Service Providers
out there and they are increasing every week. Most Service
Providers have a selection of plans to choose from and provide various
different features, at various different costs. For a list of Service Providers that best suit your needs, check out
our search engine on the Plan Search page.
Also, check out the VoIP Reviews page for
links to user reviews of VoIP Service Providers.
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Who can I call using my VoIP service?
Most plans provided by VoIP Service Providers now allow the user to call any
number anywhere in the world, including local numbers, long distance numbers, international numbers,
and cell numbers. However, this may depend on the Provider and the VoIP Plan you choose. For a
list of VoIP providers that best suit your needs, check out our search engine on
the Plan Search page.
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What are some of the advantages of using VoIP Service?
Probably the biggest advantage of a VoIP phone service is the cost savings over a traditional phone service. These savings can be substantial,
depending on the Service Provider and Plan you choose, and your normal phone usage. Other advantages include feature rich Plans (caller ID,
call forwarding, voicemail, call waiting etc), portability (you can take your
phone adapter with you and in theory use on any high speed internet connection), and if you have a
broadband internet connection you don’t have to maintain and pay the additional cost of a phone
line just to make phone calls.
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What are some of the disadvantages of using VoIP Service?
One of the main disadvantages of a VoIP phone service is that it may not work
during power outages or outages in your high speed internet connection. Other disadvantages include,
911 emergency dialing may not be provided by some Service Providers, you need a high speed internet
connection (DSL, cable etc.), and you may not get a directory listing. It should be noted however
that VoIP technology is progressing rapidly, and many of the disadvantages of a VoIP phone service
compared with a traditional phone service are being addressed through enhancements.
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Will I be able to fax with my VoIP service?
Typically yes, but some Service Providers may not
support this feature.
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Will I still be able to use my computer during a phone call?
Yes.
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Does my computer need to be ON for my VoIP phone service to work?
No, not if you are using a phone adapter or a special VoIP phone. However,
your high speed internet connection must be active for your VoIP service to work.
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Will I be able to keep my existing phone number if I switch over to a VoIP Service Provider?
Most VoIP Service Providers now offer the option to keep your existing
phone number if you wish (referred to as number portability). This may vary between VoIP Provider, so check this before signing up for service.
This type of information can be found under the
Plan Search page for your convenience.
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What happens if I move house, will I be able to keep my phone number and service?
Yes. Some VoIP Service Providers provide a Number for
Life feature. This means that as long as you stay with your Service
Provider you can keep your number, if required, even when you move house
locally or to another city/state.
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What if I decide to change my phone number after I have VoIP service?
Some VoIP Service Providers now offer the customer the option to change
their phone number themselves via their Provider web site or by phoning
customer service.
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How difficult is it to set-up once I get VoIP service?
Set-up is very simple. Your VoIP Service Provider will provide you with a phone adapter (if
using your existing phone). You simply plug this adapter into your internet connection and your
phone into the adapter.
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How do I add multiple phones to my VoIP service?
There are four possibilities for adding multiple phones onto your
VoIP phone service.
1) Using a multiple jack extension connector:
You can plug this into your Analog Telephone Adapter (ATA). This will allow you to
have multiple phones on a single line, at the location of your ATA
device.
2) Using cordless phone systems that come with a base unit and additional
handsets: The base station of the cordless telephone plugs directly into
your ATA. The additional handsets can then be placed
anywhere in the house, distributing your VoIP phone service to your
required locations.
3) Using wireless phone jacks: The base unit connects to your ATA and the wireless jacks plug into your household electrical
outlets, in the locations where you want your additional phones. You can
then connect each of your additional phones to a wireless jack.
4) Using the existing telephone wiring and extensions in your home: This
involves disconnecting your phone wiring at the Demarcation Point in
your Network Interface Device (typically a grey or black box located on
the outside of your house). Once you have disconnected your existing
phone line to your home, you can plug your ATA into one
of your existing phone extensions. This will then distribute your VoIP
phone service to all other phone extensions in your home. It is
recommended that you seek advice from an electrician or someone who is
familiar with internal telephone wiring on how to best connect your VoIP
service to your current wiring to take advantage of your homes multiple
extensions. It is also advised that you pre-check the wiring on the
jacks to make sure you don't have live PSTN voltage on the jacks before
connecting them to the ATA. A simple telephone line
tester device can be used for this purpose. For more information on
connecting your VoIP service into your existing phone wiring check out
the following web site link:
"How to distribute VoIP throughout a Home"
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