Video Telephone With a Photo Telephone Feature

A regular phone can't capture the moment from miles away but this video telephone can take a picture and give you memories in its digital photo frame. How can this be done? The holidays and special occasions provide such joy, especially with a video telephone.

Video Telephone:
The video telephone is becoming quite a rage these days. It is real-time audio and video communication. It is simple to connect the phone to a router to gain access to your high-speed internet service. The phone has enhanced video clarity to provide sharper images and colors. It has a video screen and a camera that provide a myriad of features along with inexpensive digital telephone service.

Taking a Picture:
You can join in on the holiday excitement during Thanksgiving dinner or Christmas morning. Capture the special moments with a picture you take from miles away with your telephone camera. You can take snapshots of the screen while on a video call. Simply select snapshot and save it. The light sensor camera offers higher pixels for more clarity in the video. It is simple to use and save in your digital photo frame in the phone.

Digital Photo Frame:
The digital photo frame in this phone gives continuous joy while not in use with rotating pictures. Pictures can be downloaded or uploaded into the phone via a USB. Add favorites or copy them to be shared with others.

The video telephone has come a long way to being the most exciting way to talk on a phone. You can use it like a regular phone and connect it to your cordless set. You can put it in any room of your home by connecting it to a video link. Its' digital phone service is cheaper and provides everything we need and use today plus this great benefit of creating wonderful memories.

The author, Carol Platt, is a telecommunication consultant for modern technology. She advises consumers on new technology to help them fulfill their needs. To find out more you can go to The Telecom Report. To learn more about modern technologies that are available to the home consumer visit The Video Connection.

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Voice Over IP - The Future of Telephony?

Voice over IP is the new buzz word in telecoms, but what is voice over IP and what does it mean to you as the end user? In its simplest terms voice over IP is the transmission of your voice over the internet to another user. There are many forms of voice over IP; most of us are familiar with Skype, MSN and other peer-to-peer programs. However in the world of telecoms the PBX is king, and has been adapted by the major vendors to work with a voice applications and trunks. The first incarnation of voice over IP was H323, this is used chiefly as the peer to peer protocol, and in other words it was used to link one or more telephone systems together. Now we can add to this SIP, this stands for session initiation protocol, and has become the de facto method of voice over IP. SIP is a set of standards for telephony equipment they use is voice over IP, and is used to describe the working of both trunk and telephone set that can use voice over IP.

Many companies have taken the step to migrate completely to a SIP set up, and have completely replaced the traditional PSTN lines. They have done this in two ways; one method is the hosted solution, whereby the control of the connections from the trunk to the telephone set, is controlled by a system that is not in the customer's premises. The other method is using equipment in the building, be it a traditional PBX that is enabled for voice over IP, or a soft PBX such as Trixbox, which is based on digiums asterisk PBX. Each of these options has its own merits, they hosted solution can be very quickly set up, but has the disadvantage of being potentially bandwidth intensive and also of the end user not having total control over their telephone system. The in house PBX solution, can also be problematical, if the consumer chooses one of the traditional manufactures, they are stuck with that manufactures implementation of voip if the PBX does not support SIP end points, with the soft PBX solution the consumer is free to choose from multiple vendors SIP end points. If the consumer chooses one of the traditional PBX Manufacturers, they have the security of knowing that the manufacture has a dealer network offering support for their equipment, whereas if the consumer chooses the soft PBX route they are often combining equipment from several different sources and the support can be limited, however this should not put consumers off as the choice and range of handsets can be large and give greater flexibility. The majority of soft PBX are based on Linux operating system, this at first might put off the wary; however this should not be the case as Linux is a very stable operating system, and due to the Open Source nature of the asterisk PBX, can be modified to the consumers' needs more precisely.

One of the key benefits of using voice over IP for trunk provisioning is the ability to have out of exchange area numbers, allowing small businesses to appear much bigger than they actually are. This can be quite useful for small companies, who want to establish a presence in another town or city without the expense of opening the new office, while providing a local number for customers to use. Another area where voice over IP has changed the way we work, is in the growth of home workers, who can have a telephone off the company's PBX in their home with all the features and benefits that the PBX phone provides to them including the use of the company's trunk lines, also enabling them to have the appearance of being in the office whilst actually being at home. As a company we decided to adopt voice over IP for our communications system, we currently have 13 voice over IP trunks circuits providing local numbers to all customers across the north-west of England, we also at busy periods use VoIP to push calls to a remote answering service and we have remote extensions in Oxford and Manchester. The consequence of this is that we are able to offer our clients the highest level of service. We have gone for the soft PBX route and the cost has been less than the traditional PBX enabled for voice over IP.

It would be fair to say that a voice over IP is not without its problems, the first issue is to make sure that if you have chosen to use voice over IP trunks, you have sufficient bandwidth. So ideally you would need an ADSL 2+ service from your broadband supplier, in the UK this would mean you would have a non contended service with the potential for 20mb download speed and a 1mb upload speed, but you should not overlook the latency of the circuit, a Ping time greater than 250 milliseconds will result in poor speech quality. Our business model is based around the use of the phone and to make sure we always have working lines, we also have on circuit of ISDN2 as backup to our sip lines, it also provides dial up to traditional pbx systems for remote programming.

In summation voip if applied in the right way is a positive boon to the way we use our phone service both now and in the future.

Article written by Ian Thompson of O'Brien Communications
http://www.telephoneengineerbirkenhead.co.uk

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VOIP - An Amazing Invention of Modern World

VOIP means Voice over Internet Protocol. It is such a phone system through which one can communicate with others via internet. To set up this communication, it is not so necessary to collect expensive technical devices rather only an analogue telephone adapter and high speed broad band internet is enough. Now-a-days, it is considered to be the best successful service in modern world for more and more people are being involved in it at every moment. Man has deducted traditional thinking instead he wants to communicate with others in a short time with a low cost.

It is an astonishing matter that only a few years ago, it was out of imagination to most of the people. They did not know what VOIP is, how it works and what the benefit is. But the IT specialist has been able to find out the benefits and existence of it. Maximum people think that this service requires high technique but their idea is fully wrong as it is a very simple matter.

If you want to be involved in VOIP, you just have to sign up online and the rest of the task will be finished by the service providers. They are always ready to provide the guidelines through which you can complete the process easily. If it is needed, the technicians will, of course, be available to assist you. Today it has been so popular for its portability. Do you want to go on traveling, shopping or play ground to enjoy an interesting game? It doesn't matter. If you have your PC or laptop with internet connection, you will find the world in your hand that means you can communicate with others then and their through VOIP.

It has also another important feature that is about flexibility. The more you will make extension, the more you will be benefited but you do not need to pay more for this. You can also make video calling no doubt. So, the advantages of this system are beyond description. For this, traditional telephone companies are going to be back dated within a short time.

VOIP has come with different features. It is trying to give the customers some important services such as call forwarding, voice mail, call blocking service, caller ID and so on with free of cost whereas you will be charged in traditional phone system. In this system, the sound of caller is so nice that he is sitting near to you and having chat.

Actually, it is very impossible to describe the features of VOIP in a short essay. So to say, internet telephone system will be more popularized in near future.

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Cutting Edge Telecom Service

Video phones are a type of digital phone service. Phone over IP, Voice Over Internet Protocol, VOIP are all different ways of referring to the same system, that of digital phone service. A technological shift in telecom is occurring right now. Home telephone service is in the process of switching from being analog to being digital. In a very simplistic description this means that home phones will not operate over telephone wires, they will function via the Internet, thus becoming digital.

This transformation is currently underway. Soon all American homes will function with digital phone service. An Internet video phone is the perfect way to welcome this new service into your home. The video feature is already frequently used on the Internet. In fact its popularity is increasing every month. Applying video to your home phone is not only easy but it makes complete sense now since digital phone service uses the Internet to transmit your voice. Making your Internet phone an Internet video phone is a perfect, easy blend.

This breakthrough product is the perfect unique holiday gift. They operate across the globe and offer a plethora of functions and features an ordinary phone never could, due to its superior, high tech capabilities. These unique gift ideas are affordable, even on a budget, costing about the same as a regular cordless phone, with a monthly service fee that costs less than what the vast majority of Americans pay for very basic home phone service. The top video phones are actually an incredible deal.

Not only do they make a creative gift idea, but they also offer a unique aspect most other products do not. You can actually make money with these phones. They are available for purchase just like any other product on the market, however, for those interested in a lucrative telecom job, there are companies that will pay you handsomely for selling and promoting these video phones.

This concept is actually a very appealing one for several reasons. One, in a broken world economy people are searching for jobs, any form of employment. Telecommunications is one of the few markets that continue to increase in revenue despite the economic downturn. Telecom jobs in the USA alone are still highly sought after because of their stability. Two, digital phone service is a certainty, it is already being used in certain parts of the country and expanding to others. The day of the home video phone is upon us. In the very near future they will be commonplace in homes around the world. Now is the perfect time to offer this product to consumers. Now is the time to establish yourself as a reputable and established provider of digital phone service. By taking action now you will be well positioned ahead of the curve to make the most money in this arena.

There are many more reasons as to why home video phones are such a valued telecom service. Yes, they are the most advanced technology in telecommunications, they save you money, they include video to your phone calls for the first time ever, they operate on a superior digital phone service, they are a perfect unique gift idea, and they offer a means of extra income in this troublesome financial time. In addition to all of this there is much more these phones give you, believe it or not.

I have taken the time (hours upon hours!) to create a FREE report for you to review with all the information you want to know regarding video phones. It is packed full of rich content. Click here for instant access to my free report.

Rick Phares is a telecommunications expert. He helps people stay connected to their loved ones and business associates around the world using breakthrough technology, all while saving them money at the same time. To learn more visit http://www.worldcomm.co/blog

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Why Use A Remote Call Forwarding Number

A remote call forwarding number is an invaluable tool when it comes to improving business communications. When clients call your unique number, the call will automatically be transferred to a phone of your choice (home, office, cell) so important business calls are always picked up.

You have the option to select the number which will best fit the needs of your business. The choices include local, toll-free and vanity phone numbers. Local numbers can help create a local presence in key geographic markets. Toll-free numbers are great for websites and national advertising campaigns. Vanity numbers can help customers remember your number your number so it is likely they will call you when the need arises. Or, if preferred, it is likely your current business phone number can be ported to the hosted service but may include a transfer fee.

Look for providers that are month to month, so there is no need to enter into a long-term contract. The service is quick and easy to set up. If additional hosted phone numbers are needed, then find a provider with volume breaks and is open to negotiation on price. On average, ongoing monthly charges are much less than traditional phone companies charge per month.

Many providers have several optional add-on features available to choose from that could be beneficial to customers for a small fee. Advanced features like call recording, advanced caller ID, and reporting on usage can be tailored to the users requirements. Reports can be viewed at any time online, or scheduled to be emailed to the account owner.

Voicemail is another optional service. The feature may be set up in several different ways. The most common, is to have a customer's call answered by an automated message that has several menu prompts. The customer can still receive pertinent information like business hours and directions, even when you are unavailable. The menu would also have the option to leave details of their inquiry, which is then sent to the business owner by email.

Many providers may also have live call answering services that can be supplied by friendly and reliable staff. Many customers opt for this option as an add-on to answer calls after hours or when they are unavailable. It is as easy as forwarding the number. They will take messages and pass them on by fax, email or direct, which ever the customer prefers.

Remote call forwarding numbers provide flexibility and service beyond that of traditional phone companies for less money. VOIP technology has made voice communications more affordable and streamlined to help small business owners communicate as effectively as the largest of companies.

Hosted Numbers, headquartered in Tallahassee, FL is a provider of local telephone numbers, call forwarding and ad tracking services. Hosted Numbers services are easily configured to meet the needs of any individual or business. Automated systems deliver the latest technology in caller identification, call routing, and voicemail services. Please visit http://www.hostednumbers.com/ for more information.

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The Reality Behind That Virtual Phone Number

Keep in touch, wherever you are. Who might be on the other line does not matter because humans are born communicators. Given this innateness, for each day that humans have to live, brilliant minds constantly create ideas that will then constantly change the lives of the people today. Communication has been creating miracles for businesses through speeding up transactions with just a phone call away. Lives can change because of a simple phone call. The invention of the telephone by Alexander Graham Bell is indeed a milestone in the world of communication. But the expanding growth and success of call centers around the world is not foreseen by Bell, don't you think?

The expansion of the outsourcing business is very much embraced by the technology-based companies. Using virtual phone numbers that will direct or forward their clients' calls from around the world to a different phone line is an innovation that we humans should utilize efficiently. For technical support and customer feedback, the call center industry is considered booming because of the accessibility of the companies to their clients. Now the clients are just a phone call away to accessing their very much needed information come troubleshooting and queries. This industry is deemed a success as it provides employment opportunities to professionals around the world.

Truly communication around the world is constantly changing. From hieroglyphics, to body language; from grunts and smokes to telephones; and now from mobile phones to phones with touchscreen features and even your computers can be as handy as a notebook. The only difference today is, you can always forget your pen but still continue with your business. Talk about virtual empowerment. You only have to use your fingers to dial and start that phone call and you are all set. Thinking of how to expand your business by utilizing the power of easier and effective communication? Get your website or your company a virtual phone number through simple steps and watch success unfold in front of your eyes. Life has been made easier by technology; and that is the reality behind everything that is virtual.

About Hosted Numbers
Hosted Numbers is a provider of toll-free, vanity and local phone numbers, call forwarding and ad tracking services. Hosted Numbers services are easily configured to meet the needs of any individual or business. Automated systems deliver the latest technology in caller identification, call routing, and voicemail services. Please visit www.hostednumbers.com for more information.

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How To Make Phone Calls From Your Computer

If you're human you have probably used a phone before. Billions of calls are made everyday, hundreds every seconds.

The downfall to this great innovation is that it empties our pockets. It costs money to make these phone calls; money that some do not have.

On the bright side if you have a computer your saved. Ha ha now your glad your Mom made you buy one. In order to make calls from your computer you will need to download a program and have a mic.

Sounds easy? Lets begin!

First of all visit iCall.com a VoIP service that lets you call anyone from your computer.

When you go to the website this bug header should appear. It will tell you if you would like to have iCall either in your desktop, in your web browser, or in your iPhone.

Click on whichever you would like and download it.

In this tutorial I will be using the desktop version so yours might be different from mine if you picked another option.

After you have finished downloading it run the program.

If you have not done so Register by clicking Sign Up For Your Free Account.

Once you have finished, Login. iCall will begin running a test to find the best settings for your computer.

When everything is done type in the number of whoever you would like and click Place Call.

Pretty simple huh? That is all it takes to make calls from your computer.

The downside is that if you would like to call someone out of the United States it costs money. Also, the call limit is five minutes long, enough for a quick conversation. You can upgrade for more features and calling time by visiting their website.

Now you know of a quick free solution to make calls to whoever you would like on your computer fast, easy and without hassle.

Thanks for reading.

Click here http://www.guidegoods.blogspot.com for instant access to free tips, tricks, reviews, and hot insider information to teach you how to become tech smarter.

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VoIP Phone Service - Why Is It Called As the Future of Telecommunication?

Today telephone industry is dominated by the voice over Internet protocol that is VoIP Phone Service. Every second a large number of people are signing up with the VoIP Phone Service. This shows how much success it has achieved in just few years. Due to this, there is a lack of demand for landline services. VoIP Phone Service is a fast medium to transmit data due to the optical fibers while the landline transmits data using copper wires, which is rather slow in comparison. From all this it can be concluded that in the near future VoIP is going to rule the telecommunications. Believe it, the landline service will be just a history in the few years to come. VoIP will provide a low cost service, as it will work on the fast internet connections.

The services given by VoIP have several positive reviews by those who are using it. This will be the most secured connection once the security issues are properly sorted out. There are several good points in VoIP Phone Service and one of the most important is the low cost services. Many people have misconception about VoIP and think that installing and operating VoIP will be hectic task but both these things are extremely simple.

In order to switch to VoIP, you will need to either call the service providers or sign up online. The VoIP service providers will visit you after you will call them within no time. You will get all the important information and installation guidelines through emails or post. The guidelines are explained in a simple manner with lots of diagrams for easy understanding. Hence, you can easily install and operate VoIP just by following these instructions. If you want you can take help form VoIP technicians also.

VoIP has already on top spot in many countries all over the world after defeating PSTN. The features of VoIP can be listed as follows -

• Portable - You can carry your numbers with you easily. There are no restrictions of place and location. IF you can get access to a computer and a good internet connection then you will be able to have easy access to all your contacts.
• Flexible - You have the freedom to create as many extensions as you prefer without paying extra money for the extended lines.
• Others - There are several other cool features in VoIP as compared to landline service. The VoIP services like call waiting, call forwarding, call divert, and caller id, conference calling and call blocking are free of cost. Some VoIP service providers also offer free video calling.

No doubt with so many features and benefits of VoIP, you will feel to finalizing your decision to get a VoIP connection but you should consider some precautions before doing so. First, ensure that your internet connection is faster. This is the basic requirement for VoIP services to work without any hurdles. Check out the options available in the market and ensure that the vendor you are dealing with is credible. By checking these two things, you can have a great service from VoIP.

Aziz, Online Marketing Manager of Axvoice, USA suggests that If you haven't replaced your traditional phone service with a VoIP Phone Service yet, you are surely at a great loss. Subscribe to Axvoice VoIP Phone Service right now and start saving on your long distance personal or business calls the very next minute.

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Manging VoIP Traffic With Virtual LANs or VLANs

Managing your VoIP traffic over the internal network can require some technical skills. In the simplest scenario of course, VoIP doesn't need any management. It can just coexist with your regular Internet connection and indeed in many businesses, this is the case. However, we all know that VoIP traffic has different specifications compared to normal web traffic with regard to timing and priority. Therefore, it makes sense to implement network rules that give it this special treatment. In addition, security policies should be specifically tailored to prevent the misuse of Voiceover IP.

Today, we discuss a powerful way of managing your VoIP traffic - Virtual LANs or VLANs.

VLANs are a way of segregating your network into different parts depending on the parameters used. If you had to do this physically, you would need to connect a separate set of cables between the devices. Virtual LANs work at the software level and thus don't need dedicated lines. Of course, this won't increase the overall bandwidth of the system, but modern LANs are so fast it's usually not necessary to add more.

Network managers can benefit from configuring the network in such a way that all VoIP traffic goes through a separate VLAN network. This allows a fine control over various parameters. For example, we can instruct the switches to prioritize VoIP data over regular data thus allowing us to maintain a Quality of Service (QoS) of sorts since we can specify that a certain amount of bandwidth should always be available to VoIP no matter what the traffic is like on the other LAN.

Another benefit is that we can configure security policies which are dedicated to VoIP traffic. This allows us to take precautions against common threats such as man in the middle attacks as well as protect ourselves from hackers who try and steal VoIP minutes. Of course, if you're using a good Hosted PBX solution there's no need for the latter precaution. But it's still a good idea to have internal VoIP security policies.

VLANs can be implemented in many ways. Cisco for example specializes in providing VLAN hardware switches which work exceptionally well with Cisco VoIP phones. In a later article, we'll see how to configure these switches for optimum performance as well as how to make them work well with phones from other companies.

So as a first step to managing your VoIP traffic, create a VLAN that's dedicated to it.

Bhagwad is an expert consultant on Hosted Business PBX Services. He also specializes in Small Business Hosted PBX Services.

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Video Phones: Perfect for Out of State Grandparents or Complete Nightmare?

Times have changed. It's an ever evolving and growing world. With these changes, family dynamics have changed as well. Living with or staying in the same hometown we were raised is not as common as it once was. For many children today, going over to grandma and grandpa's house isn't just a simple trip anymore. Air travel and the advancement of telecommunications have eased the burden of distance, but it's still not like seeing your ones face to face.

Ahh... but leave it to technology to bridge another gap. Video phones are now available, there to allow you to see your grandchildren smile, laugh, cough, cry, and say I love you! It may not be as good as being in the same room with them, but it's darn close. You might be concerned that such technology would be so complicated to use. How many times have we heard the nightmares about our previous generation struggling to use computers and program the DVR or TIVO? Although your concerns are warranted, in the case of many video phones, there would be no reason to worry. Most video phones are as easy to use as the phones we grew up with. Once plugged in, you dial a number like you would a normal phone. Plus they come with features of voicemail, call waiting, all the standards your current service offers, many times for much less than your current local and long distance provider.

In a world that continues to grow and living far from family is almost inevitable, we now have a way to close that gap. You can keep those bonds and see them grow. And in the case of your grandchildren, literally see them doing so!

For further information on what video phones have to offer, please visit me at http://www.makeacallsavemoney.com There is so much more to learn about these revolutionary devices.

Todd Satalowich is a telecommunications consultant helping people of all walks of life connect with their loved ones all while saving money. http://www.makeacallsavemoney.com

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VoIP Evaluations for Modest Organization Telephone Programs

VoIP evaluations for modest company phone methods is a manual to help you determine what's proper for your company and how you can tap into new technologies to conserve dollars, achieve handle and enhance efficiency.

No matter exactly where you journey you can't get absent from hearing about VoIP, it's all all-around us. As companies struggle to survive, let's appear at how technologies and VoIP can help.

Several businesses are transferring gone from standard T1/PRI's and transferring to SIP trunks. In the previous T1/PRI's have been fairly costly to make use of. They supply some sophisticated characteristics more than POTS lines this kind of as caller ID integrated, immediate inbound numbers, lowered per minute cost and quicker get in touch with processing. The straight down aspect is that you can only order them as a full 24 channel circuit. They come with a large month-to-month charge just to have the circuit in location, which is mileage delicate, straight relating to pricing. So an organization requirements to be in a position to justify a significant quantity of targeted traffic to offset the big regular monthly entry charge.

With IP trunking coming into play it provides even a lot more attributes at a "purchase as you need" design. Some characteristics contain: instantly redirecting calls if your gear should fail or you shed electrical power, the capability go log onto the internet and take control more than ringing, forwarding, overflow management along with other consumer-pleasant attributes. Most firms will see an instant reduction in expense transferring from a voice T1 to SIP trunks.

A constant battle with voice T1's are reliability: how usually they go down and for how long. SIP gives the manage to redirect or to have the intelligence to immediately redirect the phone somewhere else.

So far we've been discussing VoIP solutions to improve your present telephone technique. With a "hosted" telephone method you even now get all of the advantages we just discussed plus a lot a lot more. It nevertheless utilizes the identical SIP or VoIP know-how to supply the strains but your mobile phone program is no longer your duty to sustain. You're fundamentally spending to use cutting edge engineering at a very inexpensive month-to-month cost.

All of these remedies can right away affect the bottom line. In addition, engineering creatively applied can offer growth capabilities, greater efficiencies and productivity, an prospect enhance consumer service together with enhancements in several other locations.

This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to VoIP for enterprise phones methods. As every single enterprise is special and has different wants, organization VoIP has numerous unique applications to help. To discover a competent dealer to additional assist you through the procedure, attempt http://www.ideacom-nj.com

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International Dialing - How to Choose an International Calling Service

Choosing an international calling service can take time. Many people find they're overwhelmed with all the choices out there when it comes to picking an international dialing service. Quality matters, and of course, so does price. So where do you start?

It's important to first look at your international dialing habits. Do you call abroad twice a week or several times each day? Do you talk for minutes or hours? Which countries do you call most frequently?

VoIP

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is simply an internet calling service. Traditionally, VoIP services are connected to the caller's broadband connection. Calls can be made from your PC very cheaply with traditional VoIP. So what are the drawbacks? Because a traditional VoIP service relies on one's broadband connection, call quality isn't always perfect, particularly if you're using a wireless service that isn't 100% reliable.

What's interesting is that VoIP services aren't just international dialing systems that work from your PC. Many call providers use VoIP technology to process calls from mobile phones and landlines. This technology allows customers to make affordable international calls conveniently from landlines or mobile phones. Calling card services also use VoIP technology.

Here are a few tips on choosing an international dialing service:

1. Assess your dialing habits

If you call abroad frequently you should look into purchasing an unlimited international calling plan that gives you the freedom to call where you want, when you want, and as often as you want. VoIP providers will be able to offer you such plans at affordable rates.

If you only make a few international calls per week, look for a service that works from your mobile phone or landline. These pre-paid services allow you to top-up as you go. If you're only going to chat for a few minutes here and there, you can add just £5 to your account and start talking.

2. Which countries do you dial?

Obviously, different international calling companies offer different rates to different countries. Research the best company for your needs and be sure to also assess company reputation before deciding.

3. Quality and Service

Whether you're choosing a VoIP provider so that you can dial internationally from your PC, or are registering with an international calling service so that you can make cheap international calls from your mobile phone or landline, you'll want to make sure that your conversations are crystal clear. You should also feel confident that the service provider you've hired provides excellent customer service. Many providers offer round-the-clock service so if this is important to you do your research before deciding. Ask your friends or colleagues to recommend a company or do a quick online search for user feedback.

There are many things to consider before choosing an international dialing service and these are just a few steps to follow. Don't make a rushed decision - a bit of research will help you save money and time and make for stress-free international calls.

If you're looking to make cheap international calls, you should search for an international call provider that offers good rates and excellent call quality. Services like SimpleCall will help you save lots of cash.

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How Emerging 4G Technologies Will Affect Mobile VoIP Adoption

As VoIP traverses the path to mainstream, new developments in Internet technology continue to impact the growth of broadband telephony. One such new technology that is expected to sustain, if not help, VoIP to gain a wider acceptance is the fourth generation (4G) in cellular wireless technology, which succeeds the 3G systems currently in use. The competing 4G technologies are expected to provide secure broadband connectivity with giga-bit speeds that are perfect for demanding applications that require high-bandwidth and top-speeds, such as online gaming, multimedia streaming and IP-telephony.

Some mobile carriers have rolled out the infrastructure and equipment necessary to deploy the new technology, such as the 4G system implemented by TeliaSonera in Stockholm and Oslo in Scandinavia. Moreover, the market release of the first ever 4G mobile phone - the HTC EVO 4G - this year signals the beginning of a new era in mobile connectivity.

Competing 4G technologies

The most striking aspects that define 4G technology are the high-throughput requirement (up to 1 Gbit/s); the ditching of the CDMA radio technology used in 3G systems in favor of multi-carrier transmission using frequency-domain equalization schemes; and the use of multiple intelligent antennas for transceivers. Although there are quite a number of implementations proposed for 4G, two candidates have so far succeeded in attracting the most number of investors and adherents: WiMax and LTE.

WiMax stands for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, a telecommunications protocol that delivers 'last-mile' wireless broadband access. The current version of WiMax (802.16e) offers up to 40 Mbit/s, still way below the 4G standard, but the imminent IEEE 802.16m revision is expected to ramp up the speed to up to 1 Gbit/s for fixed connections.

LTE stands for Long Term Evolution, a standard that improves on the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) that was part of the 2008 revision of the 3G systems. The first release of LTE also falls short of the 4G standard on throughput - and for this reason the release was called 3.9G. The two largest mobile carriers in the US - Verizon Wireless and AT&T Mobility- have announced that they will convert their existing systems into LTE beginning 2011.

VoIP and 4G

One or both of the competing 4G protocols are expected to provide all-IP networks with high-bandwidth and low-latency. The 4G standards are expected to integrate voice services on top of the data stream, to give voice calls made via cellular or VoIP connections unmatched clarity and quality.

WiMax is a form of wireless Ethernet like WiFi, but the former offers more in terms of reach (WiMax signals can cover several kilometres), sustained throughput and quality of service. However, Wimax runs on the licensed radio spectrum unlike WiFi which is on the unlicensed and unregulated bands. LTE, on the other hand, is more similar to mobile cellular systems but it does offer mobile broadband capability that is useful for packet transmissions.

Both these technologies would be great for mobile VoIP calls, although it remains to be seen if the cost per call in either system will be reasonable compared to current costs of cellular calls.

Saiju George is an IP Communications and business software expert. He enjoys promoting great mobile VoIP applications that integrate well with hosted VoIP pbx solutions.

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Exploring The 'Ins And Outs' Of Business VoIP Phone Systems

Americans know that old-fashioned operators no longer have to sit at desks and unplug wires from one connection and move it to another connection in order for people to talk on the telephone. Luckily, new technology has taken us several steps farther. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) converts the analog audio signals of a telephone conversation into digital data that can be transmitted through a computer.

VoIP business phone systems have become a revolutionary technology that could entirely change the world's method of communication. Certain providers have already been successful for awhile, and continue to grow. This achievement has even forced major telephone carriers to set up calling plans utilizing this technology in several markets around the United States. Its success rate has also caused the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to examine the potential outcome of this service.

Several factors make VoIP business phone systems a preferred choice for many company owners. Financial savings, portability, ease of use, and added features make this unconventional method of communication appealing for office phone systems.

Save Money

Because VoIP business phone systems can turn a standard internet connection into a method for placing low cost calls, more and more companies are choosing this non-traditional option. By using some of the software that is available to make internet calls, companies can bypass the telephone company and its fees all together. These services offer a simple, all-inclusive price per user without requiring the purchase of routers, additional hardware, or numerous lines.

Larger companies with more than a few employees can benefit greatly from VoIP. With international calling, video conferencing, several branch offices, and a global employee base, businesses can take advantage month after month of the potential savings. With non-traditional office phone systems, executives can easily manage their communications budget, as there is no continuous accumulation of charges for each function.

Enjoy Clear Conversations

Analog signals degrade as they travel over lines from their original location to their destination. On the other hand, Voice over Internet Protocol uses data signals which remain intact with the same strength and clarity they maintained at their origin point. By simply installing a software program on a computer, a business can receive all the benefits that come from using these forms of office phone systems.

This technology does not require any additional hardware. This allows for very simple setup. Operating VoIP business phone systems is as easy as using email through a browser-based interface. Conveniently manage the system by adding and removing users in only seconds.

Additional Features Available

Most VoIP business phone systems include several additional features at no additional cost. Call forwarding serves as an important counterpart of this option. When a call comes into a business or home office, it can be transferred to another point, depending on what the user set up before leaving the office. Calls can simply be forwarded to a cellular if someone is travelling and wants to be reached at all times. Also, calls from home can be received at the office when necessary. Several service providers actually offer call forwarding to more than one number, which lets a user easily connect to any number at any time.

Other features of typical VoIP office phone systems include caller ID, voicemail, call waiting, call blocking, three-way calling, last number redial, a directory, local number, and 911 service. Being able to conduct business like normal with VoIP makes it very appealing to business owners. Conference calls and important meetings can still be conducted via the telephone with VoIP business phone systems. When it comes to simple tasks like placing calls on hold, forwarding voicemails, or looking up numbers and then calling them, using Voice over Internet Protocol to unify messaging can boost productivity anywhere.

Chris Harmen writes about different office phone systems available from Phonebooth. VoIP business phone systems offer accessibility, low cost, and advanced features suitable for every business need.

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It's Now Possible to Get Cheap Calls to the Whole World Using VoIP

VoIP (Voice over internet protocol) is fast becoming a popular form of communication for people worldwide. The reason for this is the price. VoIP offers a fast, effective and most importantly a cheap way to make the usually expensive worldwide calls.

Firstly though, what is VoIP? Well VoIP is a relatively new technology that allows the user to make standard telephone calls without having regular, standard phone-line. It instead uses a broadband connection. Some VoIP service providers give the user a special VoIP phone that enables these calls to be made, while others can allow cheap calls to made using a computer.

The service allows for cheap calls to be made via a technology known as Least Cost Routing. This means that when you place a call to a different area or country the system find where the call can be sent in a data form to various locations and then converted in VoIP and an analogue call.

When the call is converted, at that point it is still considered local. Since the internet is free, it allows for VoIP service providers to operate at a cheaper rate and this in turn can be relayed back to customer for cheaper call rates.

Some VoIP service providers may offer unlimited free calling rate for calls made to others also on the same service provider's network. This allows for example the user to make cheap calls to another VoIP user in India when in the past this might not have been available.

Others may offer more flexibility and allow cheap calls to be made to anyone with a phone number. Be it local, mobile, long distance or even international, the possibilities are there.

As the VoIP service is digital, there are features that may not be normally available on a standard phone.

Some service providers may offer international calls to a non-VoIP user at an additional rate in a similar way to traditional phone services. But some providers will allow you to choose an area different from the one in which you live. Therefore this could come in useful to say someone who regularly wants to make calls to India or China, but at a cheap affordable rate.

So what is needed for a VoIP connection? Well a broadband connection is a must have for a start. A computer may be important to some but is not crucial to access the service. Some providers, as mentioned provide a special VoIP enabled phone, while others have developed adapters which allow for standard phones to be VoIP enabled.

VoIP service providers are now putting a massive emphasis on the Indian market with packages including cheap calls to India being readily available. With the ever-growing Indian business economic climate too, it offers a perfect opportunity for customers in the business sector to be able to communicate internationally in a cost-worthy manner.

In this fast digital age, where the need for quick, quality, reliable international communication has never been more important, VoIP certainly offers a cost-effective alternate way of making cheaper calls.

Costas Kariolis - Senior Director Online of Vonage UK. Vonage are leading VoIP (Voice over IP) providers for home & small business users. Offering unlimited and cheap calls to India and many other country landlines via an internet phone service for a set monthly fee.

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Best Ways to Keep in Touch on a Budget - Not Just International Dialing

Whether you're an expat living far away from family and friends like I am, or travel frequently for business or pleasure, you'll know that dialing internationally to connect with people abroad isn't always convenient, and it can be very expensive if you don't plan ahead. Dialing internationally from a mobile phone, especially, can cost a fortune if you're not equipped with an international calling plan or service.

The good news is that technology is so advanced these days that we can keep in touch with people across the world without spending a fortune. It is possible to save money on phone calls, and there are many other methods of connecting with people around the world. While many forms of modern communication don't offer the personal touch of a voice call, new ways of communicating, some which incorporate oral communication, are efficient to keep in touch with loved ones abroad.

How to Keep in Touch on a Budget

Postcards - It costs far less than a dollar or a pound to send a postcard anywhere in the world. If you ask me, postcards are fun and in today's digital age I find that people actually love to receive a card featuring an interesting picture and handwritten note. Postcards also have staying power - people keep them over the years.

Email - Email is obviously one of the most popular methods of staying in touch when you're abroad. Email services are simple, usually free, and easily accessible once you're online. If you're travelling in undeveloped areas, however, you might encounter problems accessing the internet, even if you use a smartphone. Sending an email message also isn't as personal as dialing internationally to talk to family and loved ones.

VoIP Services - VoIP, or Voice over Internet Protocol, generally refers to internet phone services. These services allow the caller to dial directly from his/her PC. Many international dialing services also use VoIP technology to transmit voice calls from the caller's landline or mobile phone. The advantage of VoIP is that calls can be made cheaply. If you're using VoIP from your PC, however, you might not always experience high quality calls, as broadband connections vary. If you're confident that the broadband connection you'll be using for VoIP calls is excellent, then certainly sign up with a low-cost international VoIP service.

Social Networking Sites - Facebook, Twitter, and many other social networking sites are now part of our everyday lives. Whether you like them or loathe them, they're a good facility through which to remain in touch with friends and family abroad, and of course are free to use. You can tell a huge group of people what you've been up to on your travels, with very little effort. The drawback of social networking sites as communication tools is that they're not the most personal of platforms. Posting a couple pictures along with your day's activities will never measure up to having a one-to-one conversation with your mom overseas.

Blog - Regularly updating a blog is comparable to using a social networking site to stay in touch whilst away from home. The difference is that anyone can access said blog. Many blog sites cater to the traveller or expat, however, and are free to use if you have an internet connection.

Online Chatting/Instant Messaging - Instant Messaging via the likes of free services like MSN, Yahoo or Google carries the efficacy of sending email messages but it's quicker and more interactive. Your contact gets to hear what you've been up to if he/she is online at the same time as you and likewise your contact can reply and chat about what's going on on their side of the world. Make sure you have a good broadband connection if you intend to rely on Instant Messaging to keep in touch. And remember, your contact has to be online at the same time as you.

Communicating with friends and family whilst you're abroad can be done easily and affordably, in most cases. The method of communication you choose should be based on your personal habits, accessibility, and budget. Many forms of communication are free, and even dialing internationally to have a one-to-one voice chat with a friend can be affordable. If you choose your method appropriately, a week won't go by where you feel out of touch.

If you're looking to make cheap international calls, you should look for an international call provider that offers cheap local rates. Services like SimpleCall will help you save lots of cash - even if you're roaming!

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What Are the Advantages of Getting VoIP?

VoIP services provide users with a variety of advantages that make your average phone call a thing of the past.

VoIP or Voice Over Internet Protocol services can be used to contact friends, loved ones or business colleagues around the world simply and easily.

Some services work through a PC or Laptop and other more flexible services work without the need for a PC using compact and portable digital phones that can be linked to any broadband connection in the world through the use of a router or modem.

Some service providers allow users to call any telephone number across the world whatever the distance and others offer a service that is free as long as an account is set-up.

Amongst the many great benefits is the chance to make worldwide calls at a lower cost than through a traditional landline service as the VoIP provider routes the calls through the Internet to the closest place to the call destination. This means that the calls are treated as short distance and the usual long distance charges are not involved.

There is also the option through some companies to attach your account to a different area code to that in which you live. This allows people who live in that area to call the user of the service for a lot less than through a traditional landline and is especially advantageous if they live abroad.

VoIP services can also provide opportunities to make conference calls, which allow you to talk to more than one person at a time and can be a great way to bring people together.

Through this technology there are a number of features and services that are not available through a landline. Some providers offer services such as voicemail that, as well as being available through a phone, can be accessed via web and e-mail so that a user can check to see if they have any important messages whilst at work!

As well as this there are features available that can be synced with Microsoft Outlook to allow users of VoIP phones to click a number in their address book to ring it on the phone, making calls even simpler and eradicating the embarrassment of calling the wrong number.

Providers offer a variety of options to their users that give them the choice to select beneficial packages and get the best value for money. For example if the user wants to call India this can be selected in a call plan and will allow the user to call that area for a lower price when compared to a landline alternative.

As many people in the UK already have a broadband connection the use of a VoIP service could save a lot of people a lot of money on phone bills. With many international calls cheaper and just as easy to make through VoIP it is definitely a big advantage of using the service. And when this is added to the long list of advantages listed above it is really worth looking into getting VoIP.

Costas Kariolis - Senior Director Online of Vonage UK. Vonage are leading VoIP (Voice over IP) providers for home & small business users. Offering unlimited and cheap calls to India and many other country landlines via an internet phone service for a set monthly fee.

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How to Use a Virtual Local Phone Number

For any consumer or business, the use of phone services is something that plays a vital role in everyday business and life. Nowadays, no one leaves home without their cell. During normal business hours, businesses receive an incredible amount of consumer inquiries. But the phone doesn't stop ringing when the business is closed. By using a virtual local phone number, you ensure you are still available to receive pertinent calls beyond normal business hours.

This type of phone number and service is usually offered from a Hosted VoIP or PBX provider. By virtue of competition and growing demand, they are very affordable to obtain and maintain for any business or individual. There are truly countless benefits involved in this type of service. While there are countless services available for this type of system, costs are often wide-ranging and service providers are rather prolific. In order to make a selection, one should understand the benefits involved. This could greatly assist the decision-making process.

By design, this type of phone service is something that allows for calls to be forwarded from a specific local number to any other phone number that is designated. For businesses, this is often crucial should be on call at all times for any consumer needs. When a consumer dials the business phone number, their call is routed to the person that the number is forwarded to.

One benefit of a virtual local phone number is that they are able to be forwarded to cell phones. This is convenient for any business person or owner on the go. There is no more waiting by the phone when other activities should be performed.

Finally, a virtual local phone number is able to be live and active when a business closes down for the day. Naturally, if consumers call at any given time of day, they are always routed to a live number and often able to speak with someone directly as opposed to a recording. For customer service purposes, this is absolutely invaluable.

About Hosted Numbers
Hosted Numbers is a provider of toll-free, vanity and local phone numbers, call forwarding and ad tracking services. Hosted Numbers services are easily configured to meet the needs of any individual or business. Automated systems deliver the latest technology in caller identification, call routing, and voicemail services. Please visit www.hostednumbers.com for more information.

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Advantages of Making Long Distance Calls Using VoIP

Long distance calling can be a problem for many people due to a variety of constraints. Many may be inclined to just use a regular landline phone, however there is an alternative. VoIP is a flexible yet simple means of conducting a normal phone call over long distance.

VoIP or Voice over Internet Protocol has many advantages. Firstly, it does not require mass amounts of new hardware. All that is required to get you started is the high speed internet, with connection to a modem or router, a VoIP phone or a PC if you do not have access to one and a service with a voice service provider. It's as easy as that, and very easy to set up.

VoIP allows communication to any telephone across the entire the world with some service providers. With certain providers this means that you can make a call to anyone, regardless of the distance, to any phone in the world even if they are mobile or landline.

The technology provides so much more benefits than just using a standard landline phone. Conference calls can be made via VoIP allowing you to contact multiple people all the same time, which is great for bringing multiple people together over the phone.

It may sound like a very complicated piece of kit, but in fact it can be as simple as a normal phone call. There is a normal dialing tone as well as keeping the same number that you normally use (with the option of changing the number), and even caller ID is something VoIP accompanies, meaning your experience with VoIP is not a giant leap away from your standard means of communication.

This may appear to be a giant change from a standard phone, but in fact many of the features offered by landline phones today are also supplied by VoIP. Features such as voice mail are a common feature on modern phones, but VoIP has taken it a step further. Some service providers offer voice mail that can be left on a phone as normal, but also through the web via an e-mail account that allows the user to check their voice mail from anywhere that there is a PC close, a handy tool for someone needing to check their emails while on the go.

VoIP is flexible in terms of its location as a VoIP number can travel with you wherever you go, as long as you have the components stated above. With service providers, you can make calls to and from a vast array of countries that are accompanied in the plans that are provided, meaning you select the countries where you will be making calls meaning anywhere in the world is accessible.

With people having access to the internet all over the globe, it is clear to see why VoIP is a powerful means of long distance calling. The advantages are clear to see and with service providers offering in some cases unlimited calls to certain countries across the globe, it looks more enticing than ever to get involved with VoIP.

Costas Kariolis - Senior Director Online - UK & Canada. Vonage are leading VoIP (voice over IP) internet phone long distance phone service providers. VoIP enables you to use your current high speed Internet Service and Phone to make VoIP Phone Calls using VoIP, whether Local or Long Distance.

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Polycom IP Phones

Although there are several models of Polycom IP Phones in the market for the two line to the six line desktop phone there are two key features that are standard across all models. Although these features may be over looked since they are now standard and not the newer flashier feature, it's still important to take a look and get an understanding on their importance.

The current suite of Polycom IP Phones all support IEEE 802.3af Power of the Ethenet or PoE. PoE is a method of powering the phone when the power is provided through the Cat5 cable by a PoE switch or Injector. There are several reasons why this feature is important. The first is it eliminates the need for AC power adapters to power the phone as the power will be provided the switch. This helps reduces the tangle of wires hidden underneath a desk and the need to purchase additional hardware pieces. Another benefit is it eliminates the need to worry about different outlets and voltages when set up offices outside of the United States or main location. There is no need to worry about whether you'll be operating on 120 or 220v or what the physical wall outlet face will be. Finally there is only one point of failure in case of a power outage. Rather than having to have each phone connected to a UPS you have one point, the PoE switch, which needs to be connect to a UPS.

Another feature that is often overlooked and taken for granted with Polycom IP Phones is a full duplex speakerphone on a desktop phone. A full duplex speakerphone is capable of transmitting and receiving audio simultaneously without having any drop off in the audio quality. This allows for natural conversations without each person having to wait for the other finish before speaking. Having a a phone with a full duplex speakerphone allows the user to have a conversation without being connected to a corded handset during the conversation. This also allows the user to move around when having a conversation. Another popular use is to have more than one person on the phone at a desk rather than using a conference room with a full conference phone. This allows you to quickly add a person to a conversation or facilitate multi person conference calls.

The USB ports and color displays on the new Polycom Phones are great features and I look forward to how the new phones will expand the feature sets in the years to come. Surely the new bells and whistles will become standard in the coming years, but it is important not to overlook and take for granted the features that have become standard.

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Fax Over IP - How Fax Services Are Being Modernized by IP

In all the excitement about traditional PSTN voice systems being replaced by VoIP, Fax seems to not have gotten the attention it deserves. Yet, in many ways converting old fax systems to a new one can save you a lot of money, just like VoIP can save you from unnecessary telephone bills. In this article, we take a look at how new protocols and devices are replacing the old infrastructure.

Old Fax systems use a standard formalized way back in the 1980s called T.30 which has seen worldwide adoption. Most fax machines you have seen use the T.30 protocol and two fax machines using the same protocol have no problems communicating with each other. But what happens when your organization switches to VoIP and gives up its telephone connection. We all know that fax machines have their own telephone number and rely on the PSTN system to operate. Is it possible to migrate the fax machines too?

Unfortunately, VoIP technology is uniquely suited for voice data. Meaning that certain optimizations that VoIP systems use for sound are very unsuitable for data transmission such as that contained in an image. The end result is most unsatisfactory. Therefore, we needed a new protocol to tell the encoders and intermediate points that the data coming through isn't web or voice data, but something else. In 1998, the T.38 protocol was released.

It's important to note that T.38 can't work on its own. We still need a protocol which constructs and sets up the call in the first place. This is typically the SIP protocol these days - a good example of why SIP is popular. It just sticks to doing what it does and lets other protocols handle the rest.

The FoIP system also uses UDP instead of TCP because certain acknowledgment and retransmission procedures required by TCP delay the Fax and may cause it to drop entirely. To compensate for the problems introduced by not using these techniques, the T.38 protocol sends redundant data to allow the receiving system to reconstruct the fax in case it didn't receive any earlier packets.

To use FoIP on your network, you need a fax machine with is T.38 enabled. Of course, this is true only if you actually have a physical piece of paper and need to quickly send it to someone who can't receive a scanned copy of it for whatever reason. Individual users can easily configure their computer systems to fax an image - simulating a T.38 fax machine.

And that's the great thing about IP. So many different ways to do the same thing!

Bhagwad is an expert consultant on Hosted Business IP PBX Services. He also specializes in Mobile VoIP PBX Services.

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Are You Looking For Ways To Cut Back On Your Monthly Bills?

There are many individuals struggling to get by these days and while you might be thinking about ways to reduce your monthly expenses you may feel as if you have run out of ideas. If you have cut out the extras and are still looking for a way to save more money then you may perhaps find some of the following tips valuable.

Call Your Insurance Company - Believe it or not calling around about your health insurance and car insurance can really help you to save some money. Many times you are going to wind up changing companies once you hear the offers you are getting, but you can also try to get your current company to match the lowest price you were quoted. Either way this is a way to save, many times, as much as $100 per month.

Switch To VOIP - Amazingly there are still many people who are paying for their home telephone service. If you want a better alternative without an over the top bill and you have a broadband internet connection then you ought to look at switching to a VOIP service. Most of the time this switch will offer you not only unlimited calling and all the extras for one low monthly fee but will also reduce this monthly expense from about $120 per month to about $30. And that is a savings that most people can live with.

Prepaid Cellular Phones - Cell phones have a lot of extra hidden expenses associated with them and this can equal to a lot of extra money spent every month. Even the best plans come with a ton of limitations and extra service charges. In order to avoid over paying for your cell phones you should consider changing to a prepaid plan which will allow you to monitor how much you're spending.

Of course these are only a few of the many ways that you can save money off your everyday household expenses and this may perhaps just provide you with the breathing room you need to eat out occasionally or to pick up that occasional cup of coffee at Starbucks. It's important to give yourself a little bit of breathing room to not only pay your bills but have a few extra dollars of mad money just in case. After all life can't be about making ends meet all the time there also must be some down time for fun.

Whether you are searching for a mobile broadband plan or wireless internet providers visit activ8me.net.au.

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Local Phone Service Providers

Digital phone service is rapidly taking over. Telecom companies have currently begun the process of ending analog service, which is home phone service provided via telephone wires, and replacing it with digital service. In its most basic and easy to understand form, what digital telephone service means is that instead of transferring calls over a telephone wire, calls are transferred over the Internet. No more phone jacks, just a high speed Internet connection.

This service upgrade for home phones paves the way for brand new, never before available features and functions for home telephones. Using the Internet to transmit calls allows us to use cutting edge, breakthrough technology. One such innovation is the addition of video to the basic audio of telephone. Video phones will soon be the standard model for home telephones. This is because incorporating the video aspect is greatly simplified when conducting calls over the Internet. Another word for these phones is Internet video phones, or broadband video phones. Digital phone service can also be referred to as voice over Internet protocol, or VOIP for short.

Many local phone service providers are offering VOIP technology presently. In a few short years the vast majority of all American homes will operate with this service. This is why now is the perfect time to make the switch to digital phone service. These companies are offering impressive deals on video phones themselves as well as low monthly fees for their service. In fact, the best video phones cost about the same as a cordless phone and the accompanying monthly fee is usually less than what most people pay for very basic home telephone service.

VOIP video phone service is a flat fee, an all-inclusive deal. It gives you unlimited local and unlimited long distance calls (your long distance coverage will vary depending on the country you are in. In the US it usually includes all of the US, Canada, Hawaii and Puerto Rico) and a long list of unique features. When studied in detail (as my free report does) you can see just how far superior video phones and digital phone service are compared to what current home phone companies can offer. The low price and the vast array of standard items makes leaving your analog company and joining the digital age a very, very easy choice indeed. The two services are like night and day. Digital phone service and an Internet video phone provide much more at less cost. It's a no brainer of a decision.

In order to understand home video phones and VOIP digital phone service in full detail please CLICK HERE to read my FREE report. It covers this topic in detail and will help you reach a decision quickly and confidently.

Rick Phares is a telecommunications expert. He helps people stay connected to their loved ones and business associates around the world using breakthrough technology, all while saving them money at the same time. To learn more visit http://www.worldcomm.co/blog

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Digital Photo Frame in a Digital Video Phone

A digital photo frame is the best way to show a large number of photos in such a small space. Couple that with a digital video phone that replaces old-fashioned phone service. One phone gives you low-cost phone service and a continuous revolving digital photo frame.

Money saving phone service:
Digital phone service that includes local and long distance calling for a low fee is just what we need. An adapter or a video phone the service provider offers is connected to your high-speed internet service you already use and you are ready to make calls. International calling plans cost less for regular calling if you aren't using video to video phone calling which is of no extra cost. You can save up to 50% on your phone bill with digital service.

Video calling:
Call someone and talk or call someone with the same video phone and see them while talking to them. Everyday activities, occasions or holidays are more special when you can join in together no matter how far apart you live. You can plug into a larger monitor or television for more of a feeling of being there with friends and family. Don't forget to take pictures with your video phone of moments to remember and save them in the digital photo frame.

Digital photo frame:
Photos show happy times and people we love in the digital photo frame. Watch the continuous show right on your phone. Simply load photos onto a USB and plug it into the phone and choose which ones you want. You can save pictures you take with your phone and save them into your revolving show. There are options to choose from so you can customize your show.

Modern technology is giving us more for less. We only have to take advantage of it to save money and have more joy and fun because of it. Distance from each other is not as much a problem. Taking a picture on a video call and saving the moment and seeing it when you want to on your phone when you're not using it are two great uses in one. All of us have photos we love to see. Copy them on to a USB and put them in your digital photo frame in your digital video phone. During the coming holidays this phone will be a constant joy and will keep on showing joyous memories all year. You should spend a little bit of time to further check out this phone.

The author, Carol Platt, is a telecommunication comsultant for modern technology. She advises consumers on new technology to help them fulfill their needs. To find out more about video phone use you can go to The Telecom Report. To learn more about modern technologies that are available to the home consumer visit The Video Connection.

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Get to Know the Benefits of Conferencing Solutions and Stay Connected

With progress in technology, conferencing solutions have turned out to be an efficient and essential business tool. Such conferencing services allow people to communicate both internally & externally in an effective manner. Be it an individual users or business owners, the importance of conferencing solutions are unquestionable. Even lots of enterprises make good use of voice conferencing since it has come out to be the most advanced technology to meet the conference needs. This is not all, you can also take the assistance of web conferencing service to meet your needs.

The conferencing service has been planned meticulously, considering the requirements and demands of small, average and big business houses. Here you are not required to shell out any extra bucks in order to communicate with global clients or people. This most up-to-date technological innovation has made far very near, delivering unending conferencing solutions. It lets you enjoy the opportunity of interacting transcending the geographical barrier.

Conferencing solutions- Now & then

In earlier days, it was the operator who used to perform the job of connecting the calls and this was done offline. Users used to benefit from offline conferencing, but now things have changed a lot. Today people are using the power of web as that comes with enhanced and better facilities. Well, apart from web conferencing system, you can also make good use of Audio conferencing and video conferencing. Hosting such conference comes as a great way to gain maximum exposure and expert status for online business.

Audio & Video conferencing- Two smarter means of communication

Audio conferencing

This is definitely one of the oldest conferencing solutions and is commonly known as phone conferencing. Its notable features include bi-party conference call system & PBX systems. In PBX (Private branch exchange) almost three telephone lines are used and in case of later participant, you can use speaker phones. The two party conference services are highly in demand in spite of having few limitations. Audio conferencing solutions are available online to allow people in hosting, recording, streaming and even replaying conference calls.

Video Conferencing

With video conferencing, you can get to see the presence of people attending the conference. Frankly speaking the entire process seems so realistic that it will give you a feeling of like you are with all participants in the same room even though you are distance apart. You can use such conferencing both domestically and also internationally. The only thing required is the proper set up of the software & necessary equipments. In general, video conference service is preferred to other modes of communication medium since this appears more realistic. Frankly speaking, the conference service creates a virtual office for you to run your business. For instance if you are running a sales business, where every minute counts, you can easily embrace such video conferencing service and feel the difference. Be it a training course or sales meeting or such others, such conferencing solutions may just help you in saving time, money and energy as well.

Hope Dever is a customer care executive in conferencing solutions and believes such conferencing service helps people in managing conferencing needs in real time. He recommends that voice conferencing is still a preferred means in relation to others.

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Magicjack - Who This Device Is For? - Is Magicjack Worth the Money?

Magicjack has been around for quite some time. It has worked well for some people while there are others who believe it is not worth the money you spend on it. Well, it depends upon where you are calling. Magicjack is definitely a revolutionary device that makes long distance calls within the US and Canada completely free once you pay the yearly charge.

Who the Magicjack is for?

As I mentioned above that this unique VoIP calling device is a good money saver for some people, it is not that useful for everyone. VoIP internet calls are much cheaper than traditional phone calls but then there are many other VoIP services that provide almost the same kind of facilities as magicjack.

Call rates Of Magicjack and other VoIP Service providers

Skype, Vonage and many other internet calling services are quite popular. Their call rates are also highly competitive. Calling US and Canada is quite cheap anyway by using any of these services. However none of these services make your US and Canada calls completely free. Calling US by Skype costs approximately 2 cents per minute which means you can make a 50 minute call in one dollar. Almost all other VoIP phone services also charge you the same amount for calling US and Canada.

Magicjack costs $40 for the first year of service which includes the USB device. For next year you need to pay $ 20. By a simple comparison of call rates, you can make approximately 1000 minutes of calls by paying $ 20 for other services. Once you have finished those 1000 minutes you need to pay more for making more calls whereas with magicjack you can make unlimited calls by paying just $20 for a complete year.

It all depends upon your usage. If you make more than 1000 minutes of calls to US and Canada in a year, magicjack will definitely prove to be a big money saver for you. If your usage is less than 1000 minutes a year, any VoIP service will be equally useful for you. It goes without saying that all of these services use the same technology therefore call quality is almost the same. Similarly if you make calls to other countries and not US or Canada, any VoIP service will be equally good for you because magicjack only allow calls to US and Canada free of cost. For other countries, the call rates are approximately the same.

Dependence on Speed of internet

All VoIP telephony services depend upon the speed of your internet connection and performance of your PC. However when it comes to portability and ease of use, magicjack definitely has some competitive edge. It can be carried anywhere easily. Moreover it can be plugged to any PC with internet connection and it is ready for making calls within minutes. In fact you do not even need a headphone if your laptop has inbuilt speakers.

I have been using Magicjack for quite some time and it has been a great money saver for me. However, I must say that it is because most of my calls are for US and Canada. Just spend some time analyzing your international call usage and decide if this magical device is for you. Read more about how it works and order the free trial of Magicjack

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Using a Cordless Phone With VoIP

Many of us subscribe to expensive phone plans which do nothing but provide us with a phone service in our own homes. The recent interest of consumers in VoIP based solutions instead of PSTN ones for cost reasons has made people wonder just how far one can go in replacing the traditional home phone experience. Services such as MagicJack have become more and more popular and many companies such as Vonage are showing an interests in providing VoIP services to the masses.

The problem is that VoIP requires a fundamentally different type of phone compared to the one required by the plain old telephone system. This is because VoIP runs on Internet connectivity instead of the dedicated phone lines provided by the telephone service. While the old phone is an analog device, the Internet is digital. So VoIP phones are designed to handle digital voice data and not analog data. However, many people already have phones which they like and VoIP phones are expensive. There are two different ways to get a cordless phone working with VoIP so you can roam around your house without paying huge monthly fees.

The first method is to subscribe to a VoIP service that includes a complimentary cordless phone. This might be the easiest way for you to go. Skype for example has a cordless phone that specially works with its service and its proprietary protocols. Of course, given the closed nature of the Skype protocol, this is the only way to use Skype by roaming around on a dedicated handset.

The second method is to purchase an ATA adapter for your cordless phone which then plugs into your Internet connection thereby allowing you to seamlessly use VoIP without any problems. Of course, not all ATA adapters are the same and you should use one that is compatible with the VoIP service you're using. Most VoIP services these days have settled on the SIP protocol so if you get an adapter that works with that you should be ready to go.

This is a great way to harness your home Internet connection for use with your cheap cordless system that always sits at home. Smartphone users can of course piggyback on their wi fi connection which most likely exists throughout the house so there's no need for any special equipment.

Ultimately VoIP is about flexibility. There are multiple ways to achieve the same thing and this is in keeping with the nature of the Internet itself of which VoIP is a byproduct.

Bhagwad is an expert consultant on Hosted Business Phone PBX Systems. He also specializes in IP HD Voice Systems.

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Precautionary VoIP Phone System Implementation and Maintenance Might Be Necessary

The moment a company commits to migrate to VoIP technology, there is a need to analyze carefully the existing business processes and requirements, the projected short-term and long-term company needs, and the current bandwidth and speed of the broadband service the company have. These are necessary not only to be able to comprehensively design a VoIP system tailor-made for the business but more importantly, to prevent possible failure of the VoIP system once in place.

VoIP Lifecycle Management

A methodology called VoIP Lifecycle Management (VLM) thus emerged as a way to plan and manage the impact of VoIP deployment on existing LANs, and to manage and continuously maintain the network after the company has transitioned to VoIP. The adding of new IP phones, increasing data flow and the aging of equipment might eventually result in breakdowns, and VLM works to anticipate these potential problems so that corrective remedies are implemented before the system fails. The VLM has three distinct stages: analysis, installation/testing and ongoing monitoring.

Analysis for Readiness

VoIP experts estimate that as much as 85 percent of existing company LANs are not ready for data and voice integration. Most of existing LANs grew organically, typically with the addition of devices and cables here and there as the need arises, rather than from a prepared network design.

Among the most important aspects that must be determined include the maximum concurrent calls (as the service provider needs to know beforehand how much bandwidth and facilities to reserve) and the calls per second rate (to prevent inundating the servers with hundreds of calls that may cause system crashes.

Installation and verification

Only after the existing LAN is verified to be capable of handling VoIP should one move on to the installation process. The system designer must make sure to:

• Isolate VoIP traffic from data streams by building a Virtual LAN infrastructure
• Remove unnecessary hardware, routers, and switches from the points VoIP calls originate to the gateway exiting the LAN, as these hops increase latency
• Add rate-shaping and prioritization configurations to ensure that VoIP traffic takes precedence over other packets, especially at choke points like routers and firewalls

Once the VoIP system is in place, VLM tools are available for testing the system and measuring the Mean Opinion Score (MOS) or the general quality of the phone call and sampling frequency software for detecting intermittent problems.

Ongoing monitoring

The work does not stop after the VoIP system is installed and tested. Ongoing monitoring and testing would be necessary, especially if older hardware and cables that are liable to fail are used. In fact, the testing must be done regularly, so that possible failures can be anticipated and disruptions in service are at least minimized, if not totally avoided, particularly for businesses that are fully network-dependent.

The necessity of undertaking these elaborate steps cannot be overstated. After all, industry experts say that the chances of failure if the readiness assessment is skipped in a VoIP deployment stand at 50 percent. And even the other half that may successfully deploy VoIP without pretesting faces a 60 percent possibility of monthly service disruptions.

Saiju is an IP communications and business software expert. He specializes in SIP technologies like fully hosted VoIP PBX systems and free SIP proxy server options.

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How Does Bandwidth Affect Your Voice Over IP Experience?

One of the most common terms that come to mind when discussing migration to VoIP systems is network bandwidth. This term - often interchangeably used with network speed - refers to the data transfer rates supported by the network, expressed in either Kilobits per second (Kbps), Megabit per second (Mbps) or Gigabit per second (Gbps). Bandwidth plays an important part in networking, as it defines not only the speed in which data moves from one location to another, but also the overall capacity of the network connection.

Bandwidth can be likened to a pipeline supplying a building with water. The pipe has a maximum flow capacity defined by the water source and by the size of the pipe installed. Thus, there is no way that water flow can be increased beyond the line's maximum capacity. The same thing happens in a network: data transfer rate is limited by both the ISP (i.e., subscription), and the capacity of the cable/circuit.

Bandwidth in VoIP terms

Using the same water pipe analogy, let's say we are installing an indoor pool inside the building. Naturally, the existing water pipeline will not be adequate to supply water to the pool, since the capacity of the pipe was intended only for the original needs of the building. It is thus necessary to either redesign the existing pipeline or install a separate line to bring water for the indoor pool. This is exactly what happens when VoIP is added to an existing network - sometimes, it requires either increasing the bandwidth or perhaps even allotting a separate line for it.

VoIP, like the pool, can be an extremely voracious application. It requires a lot of bandwidth in the same way that the pool requires a lot of water. In both cases, we can make do with the existing setups in a worst case scenario, but that might entail sacrificing other users: water supply in lavatory faucets may be reduced to a trickle while we fill-up the pool, and downloading files or browsing webpages may become very slow when a VoIP call is underway.

Using more bandwidth

A regular PSTN call normally consumes just over 64 Kbps of bandwidth, so that a 1.5 Mbps dedicated circuit (called T1 or DS-1 circuit) could be used for 24 consecutive calls. VoIP, on the other hand, requires more bandwidth overhead due to the packetizing it must do, so the same call would consume more than 120 Kbps in uncompressed VoIP, and the same DS-1 circuit could only be used for 13 calls.

Fortunately, VoIP allows compression of the media (the voice part converted to digital form using VoIP codecs). The most basic compression available allows twice the number of uncompressed consecutive calls to be sent using the same DS-1 line.

Managing bandwidth

While it is not possible to determine accurately the bandwidth needed and actually used by each hardware or software in a VoIP network, a number of tools are available for measuring network throughput. For local networks, benchmarking tools like netperf and tccp are useful in measuring TCP and UDP performance between two workstations. There are also network speed/bandwidth tests available online, that are useful in assessing network throughput.

But even with these tools, precise measurement of bandwidth utilization is still not possible. Factors such as hardware configurations, software specifications and latency are dynamically changing all the time, making it impossible to gauge throughput accurately, particularly in an environment with a lot of VoIP activity.

Saiju is an IP communications and business software expert. He actively promotes great hosted business VoIP and hosted IP PBX solutions.

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The Advantages of VoIP Especially For New Business Ventures

Before we talk about the advantages of VoIP for businesses let us first figure out what VoIP. VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol. At first Internet Protocol was created for the purpose of data networking and its runaway success as the measure for data networking has set the trend for it being modified to the voice network also. In fact this concept had come into being in the early 70s when the US department of Defense was trying it out; but it is only in recent years that it has gained so much popularity. Basically it can be defined as the transfer of voice traffic over networks based on Internet Protocol.

Now when you plan to start up a business your main objective and focus initially will be on communication because it is communication that is the back bone of any business and most necessary to ensure that your new venture takes off to a good start. This is where VoIP is a Godsend to new business people. With the fantastic developments in science and technology and the Internet communication via VoIP has become very reliable more so because of it ease of use and because it is simple to learn too.

Any business needs the help of the internet connection and once you have this connection then VoIP makes use of the Internet to call make and receive calls thereby helping you save money that you would otherwise be spending for the installation of telephone and fax connections. This is especially effective for the new business ventures where you have to make long distance calls which turn out to be far cheaper through VoIP and where every penny counts till you have established the business soundly. Moreover because VoIP functions via a broadband connection it is much less expensive for the customer and the connection provider.

There are various packages that you can choose from and some of them charge just a flat rate for either a certain number of hours or unlimited calls, but that will depend on the tares charged. So for ventures that have more calls to make this could imply a pretty good amount of savings when compared to making calls through landlines or mobile phones.

It is always essential to have a good Office phone system. Click here to know more about Avaya IP office

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Benefits of Using a VoIP for Business

VoIP, also known as Internet Telephony or IP Telephony, is a method of providing voice communication through the internet. Nowadays business companies are adopting VoIP technology in their business. Some of the many benefits of using a VoIP for business are as follows.

1. VoIP is cost-effective and flexible as it makes use of a proven technology which is economical, thus enabling the business house to save money.

2. In terms of infrastructure, there is no requirement to buy and install new framework as the VoIP utilizes the existing one which is already in place for internet. It can also be interfaced with Public Switched Telephone Network. Through VoIP, a business man can make calls to another computer, another mobile phone, an ordinary phone or another VoIP phone.

3. VoIP is very popular and much of the popularity is because of its lower cost when compared to a normal telephone bill. In addition it has a very wide customer base and is widely used in business.

4. With VoIP the physical location of a business house is immaterial; it can be located anywhere in the world. Easy contact is enabled as long as there is an access to a computer. A business man can make calls all over the world at cheaper costs. When a business has branches all over the world, VoIP is a very convenient way to keep in touch.

5. It also provides opportunities for conducting conferences easily as one can talk to more than one person at a time.

6. Some VoIP service providers also offer services like voice mail which can be accessed through e-mail. This is beneficial as one can easily check all important messages when at work.

Being a state-of-the art technology, a VoIP is a must for business nowadays since in this ear of global connectivity, unhindered communication could indeed lead to higher profits.

It is always essential to have a good Office phone system. Click here to know more about Avaya IP office

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