Tell Your Phone Company to VoIP Off!

I don't know about you, but I am sick and tired of beingless to get set up.
ripped off by my local phone company. For years, IWhy Choose VoIP?
have been held captive by this monopolizing regimeThis is simple question to answer. Say goodbye to the
with no hope of moving on to something better. It'scounseling bills you have accumulated over the years
been a financial struggle that has caused me to seekbecause you were inches away from bankruptcy.
counseling numerous times throughout the years.Say goodbye to all the additional charges for the
Why? Because my phone company charges me forfeatures that should have already been included in
everything: I want to add voicemail, they charge me. Iyour service plan. With VoIP, not only do you pay a
call to change my number because I am getting cranklow monthly fee for unlimited calls to the U.S. and
calls, they charge me. I want to add call waiting, theyCanada, but you also get all the features included like:
charge me. I want to disconnect, they charge me. I'mvoicemail, call waiting, caller ID, and three-way calling.
surprised they don't charge me when I call into aBetter yet, you get additional features that the
customer support.traditional phone companies cannot even offer like
So the question remains. Is there an affordablevoicemail to email (when someone leaves you a
alternative to local phone service? The answer is yes,voicemail, the system will send you an email with an
and it's called VoIP, short for Voice over Internetaudio attachment so you can listen to the message
Protocol. VoIP is an emerging technology that allowsfrom any computer), follow me - find me, call
telephone calls to be transported over an existingforwarding and the ability to choose your area code.
Internet connection.This means that you can live in New York and have a
Here is how it works.California phone number.
First of all, you absolutely have to have a high speedWhat to look for in a VoIP service provider.
Internet connection, either DSL or Cable. Then youFirst and foremost, ensure that the company offers
have to subscribe to a monthly service plan offeredtrue 911 emergency calling (E911). This is vital since the
by a VoIP service provider. Most plans range fromFCC might shut them down if they don't. Also, find out
$20 and $30 per month, plus applicable taxes andif they have a trial period. This is always good practice
fees.because if you don't like their VoIP service, you can
Once you sign up for a plan, most VoIP servicealways cancel without penalty. Other things to keep in
providers will send you a phone adapter. This is a littlemind are the following:
black box that resembles a modem. There are several1. Are they a stable company?
connections in the back of the phone adapter. One is2. How long have they been in business?
for your existing Internet connection, using an Ethernet3. How many customers do they have?
cable. Another connection is for the power supply.4. What is their customer service like?
There should also be a connection for a phone line.You can find out most of these questions by doing
That's right. Whatever phone you have at homesome preliminary research in any VoIP forums or
(unless it's a rotary phone) will work. Simply plug it intoblogs.
the phone adapter, wait a few seconds and youHurry up and switch to VoIP!
should have dial tone. Hopefully, whatever VoIPSo what are you waiting for? Make the switch to
service provider you sign up with will also sendVoIP so you can start saving on your monthly phone
installation instructions on how to set up your phonebill and finally tell your phone company to VoIP Off!
service. It's really easy and takes about five minutes or