Understanding VOIP

Posted: Tue, Jun 12 2012, 8:58 pm Post subject: Understanding VOIP

I make alot of international calls. Someone mentioned I should try VOIP. How does it work, what are the fees, Could someone that uses this tell me a little about it and how to set it up.
Thanks

Posted: Wed, Jun 13 2012, 11:35 am Post subject: re: Understanding VOIP

bumping it up.....

Moderator Joined: Mar 29 2005 Posts: 18276

Posted: Wed, Jun 13 2012, 11:55 am Post subject: re: Understanding VOIP

http://computer.howstuffworks.com/ip-telephony.htm

Read that link above.

Probably each company works differently, and fees vary by company. Whatever company you use will give you instructions on how to set it up. Basically: you hook up your phone and computer/router to a device that the VoIP company gives you. You use your phone to make calls, but the calls are routed through the DSL/internet line, instead of the local phone companies.

With my VoIP service, if my electricity is out, or my DSL line is not working, then I can't make calls (vs. a regular land line phone). However, I save so much money, it's worth this minor inconvienvce. If you live in an area with spotty internet service or frequent power outages, its probably not such a great idea then.

Vonage is a popular VoIP company, you can google VoIP and your city and see what's available. Other ones are ooma and magic jack.

You need to have high speed internet. it won't work without that.

Posted: Wed, Jun 13 2012, 8:16 pm Post subject: re: Understanding VOIP

Thanks for all the replies.
I am not looking to cancel my regular phone line, just make it to the mimimum and all international calls should be through voip. I have a high speed interent for this.

Moderator Joined: Mar 29 2005 Posts: 18276

Something like Magic Jack might be a good option for you then.

Posted: Wed, Jun 13 2012, 9:47 pm Post subject: re: Understanding VOIP

The magic jack only seems to have free calls in the us or canada. I need free calls oversees.

Also does anyone have the magic jack? If yes can you tell me your experience with it etc.....

Moderator Joined: Mar 29 2005 Posts: 18276

Whoops, I misunderstood. I was thinking the opposite, you were in Israel or wherever and calling the US overseas...
Do you specifically need it to be via phone, or can you call via computer (like for work)?

Posted: Thu, Jun 14 2012, 10:20 pm Post subject: Re: re: Understanding VOIP

Moderator Joined: Mar 29 2005 Posts: 18276

How much are you spending now on international per month?

Posted: Fri, Jun 15 2012, 9:29 am Post subject: re: Understanding VOIP

We use Vonage. We have a modem that plugs into our internet modem and then a regular phone plugged into the Vonage modem.

They have different plans and we rarely have problems.

Since our family is in the US, our Vonage number is a 646 number, which is a mobile area code for Manhattan. But we call several states with it with no problem.

http://www.vonage.com/
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