How to Compare VoIP Rates
VoIP, or Voice-over-Internet Protocol, is no longer an experimental new technology but a viable alternative to traditional phone services. It may be a more economical choice for you, depending on your circumstances, the amount of calls you make, the locations you call and the features you consider important.
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Compare with Landline Rates
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VoIP is often less expensive than traditional landline phone service, but it's important to make a complete comparison. Phone companies may have a low-cost, unadvertised plan that is comparable, though the VoIP option may provide more features for the same price. Voicemail, call forwarding and caller ID are features that are standard with most VoIP services but may cost extra from the phone company. VoIP requires a high-speed Internet connection, such as DSL or a cable modem.
Compare VoIP Options
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Not all VoIP options are the same. Some services, such as Skype and Google Voice, allow you to use your computer to make a call, but are not meant to be used with a standard telephone. Services such as Vonage and the Internet phone service offered by most Internet service providers, work in a similar manner to a landline phone service once they are installed, letting you make calls with your regular phone. When comparing various VoIP services, it's important to compare both the cost but the features each service provides, which may vary greatly from one provider to another.
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Compare International Rates
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An important difference between VoIP and landline services is that long distance calls are often included in the base price if they are made to people within the same country. Calls to other countries may vary in price, so if you frequently call people in other countries, you will want to compare these rates, even among various VoIP providers.
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References
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