The Voice-over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service is in a state of flux,
and is still a budding technology that will offer several new features
as it matures. While it is true to say that there are many providers in
the VoIP market with “unique” features of their own, one factor is
common to all: they rely on the broadband Internet connection and do
not bring the traditional telephone providers into the scheme of
things. In the process, they offer price packages that are
substantially lower than the traditional phone connection. So how do
you evaluate one service provider vis-à-vis another, and then install
the connection in your office or home? What should be your focus in
selecting a specific provider?
Here are a few tips that will assist you in your choice.
Suitability to your specific requirements
For a start, you must weigh the features offered by the leading
providers such as Vonage, Lingo, and Skype, and apply those features to
your specific work environment and requirements. A service provider
might offer the best of features, but they aren’t any good if you
cannot use them. If your priority is to make a large volume of
international calls, particularly to Europe and Asia, Lingo is for you.
Lingo is also a good option if you travel out of the US because you can
carry your US number wherever you go and call the US at local rates.
Lingo also comes with the lowest price for its range of features.
Skype is different from Lingo and Vonage in one important respect: it
does not use a telephone as a go-between. While the Skype outgoing and
incoming calls to/from a normal telephone is still to fan out in terms
of dependability, Skype is the best option if you and your computer are
inseparable and you have friends and family who are similarly inclined.
For PC-to-PC calls, Skype is the best voice portal, and there is no
price tag attached.
Voice quality and reliability
If your first priority is consistently good call quality, and you don’t
mind paying a bit more, consider Vonage. Vonage comes with almost
identical features as Lingo, but there is minimal in-call lag and echo
experience. With Lingo, be prepared to sacrifice on the quality of
calls. In the competitive marketplace, each service provider promises
the best of service and voice quality, and you cannot be sure about the
product. If you are investing in a monthly/quarterly/annual contract,
it is best to settle for a package that has a money-back guarantee
behind it. Both Vonage and Lingo offer trial periods.
Installation complicacies
You also need to consider how easy—or how difficult—it is to install
the service, both as a business option and for home use. For a single
user, the process is not half as complicated as for multiple users in
an office environment. You must be sure that the saving you make from
an economically viable service is not offset by the installation costs.
For example, you must keep in mind that in an office environment, the
VoIP usage will put additional stress on your broadband connection, and
you might have to invest in increasing your Internet capability.
Broadband connectivity issues
Remember that VoIP needs broadband connectivity to be functional. Prior
to reaching a final decision on a VoIP package, you need to do a bit of
research on the bandwidth that the service requires, and then ensure
that your Internet service provider is able to match up. If you face
regular power or Internet outages, you may end up paying for a service
you cannot put to optimal use. In such situations, it is always
advisable to retain your traditional phone line as a backup.
Flexibility to opt out
VoIP is still in a nascent stage, and the future may bring in new
providers with richer services. Therefore, it is important not to get
into a long-term contract or commitment with any service provider; keep
the flexibility-to-switch option with you.
Internet telephony is the future, and even some traditional telephone
service providers have conceded this by initiating VoIP packages of
their own. The choices are many, and growing. As the user, it is
finally up to you to use the right package to your best advantage.
