Will a Vonage Modem Work for Skype?
Communication methods available today include everything from instant messaging and texting to video conferencing and email. It can be daunting to figure out what methods not only work for you, but also which services work well together. Many paid services like Vonage can work concurrently with free services like Skype.
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Vonage
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Vonage is a Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP, service through a telephone and specialized adapter. The Vonage adapter allows you to plug any regular landline telephone into it and make phone calls as you would with a regular landline. However, instead of using telephone lines to make the call, Vonage uses your high-speed Internet connection, which is cheaper and often faster.
Adapter vs. Modem
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Vonage doesn't provide users with a modem. Rather, you can purchase a Vonage adapter to use a regular telephone to make your VoIP calls. The difference between a modem and adapter are significant. Your modem is the Internet access point. You plug the cable or phone hardline providing the Internet connection into your modem. The modem has another plug that allows you to either connect to a computer or a wireless router for multiple devices to access the Internet at once. The Vonage adapter is installed as a go-between from your modem to either your computer or a wireless router so that you can also plug in your telephone.
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Skype
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Skype is another type of VoIP service that differs from Vonage by requiring only a software download to your computer and the use of a microphone and speakers -- no adapters are necessary. As long as you have a stable Internet connection, a Vonage adapter won't interfere with Skype.
Complementary Services
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Vonage and Skype can be complementary services, used by the same home or office to great advantage. Vonage is a paid service with regular telephones and a 10-digit telephone number, similar to that of a landline phone. Skype is free to start and contacts are called using a username instead of a telephone number. It enables you to have conference calls either over voice or video with other Skype users, which can be used without incurring additional costs while also expanding your communication capabilities.
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