PC to Phone Free Calls - Is it Possible Or Not?

Most Internet users might have made free phone calls or video chat to another computer using application such as Google Talk. Such calls where two personal computers are at each end are possible by following Voice over Internet Protocol to transfer voice data through internet in terms of packets. By use of a software application customized/developed by your service provider, you can consider your PC as telephone.

Although PC to PC calls are free, PC to phone calls are made very cheap with the help of internet compared to normal Phone to Phone calls. You may be puzzled about the reason behind allowing calls between two personal computers for free. One's natural thought would be to think that since we pay our internet provider either monthly or usage based, we tend to think that the internet is all theirs. It is humanly impossible to own such a big network of interconnected computers. Care to be noted that the service providers only lay the connections to interconnect networks but websites with their content are owned by individual members or organizations. This is done for the common man to access the multitude information available to him via Internet. Say for example you want to access a website, you need to be on the network which your provider builds for which he would charge you for the usage in order to recover his network building costs and make profits. Basically, you are not paying for the internet but you are paying to be on the network of computers. Once you are on the network, you can make connections to any computer/server and let the data transfer happen which in the present case is voice.

Hence, PC to PC calls will always be free but to make communication to a normal phone from a PC requires a telephone network to be connected to your VoIP service provider and access to those phone networks is also needed because of the minimum charge levied for a call from PC to a phone. There are however few VoIP service providers that provide trial calls for free. On such example is Tuitalk, but these calls serve little purpose as there is a time limit to duration of free calls you can make. Absolutely free PC to phone calls with no limits is possible if the market grows large enough along with competition among the VoIP service providers.

Unlimited PC to phone free calls are possible but are not provided by any service provider as yet but it is going to come in the near future. PC to phone calls are going to be very useful for offices to cut down their costs and run their businesses more efficiently.

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Anyone Can Understand Basics of VoIP & SIP

It is hard to imagine our present day world without internet and a person without knowledge of internet would not be able to understand how businesses run across the world. Most internet users do not know how it functions but it is always good to have a basic understanding of the technology that we use every day. In layman's terms the Internet is basically a huge number of computers connected to one another through which data can be transferred from one computer to another with a set of programs. So let us see what is VoIP and SIP are' in simple words which a novice might understand even without having to actually be aware of it.

VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol. Internet protocol refers to a set of rules that are followed to transfer data over internet. Rules/protocols are needed to make sure that computers on the network will understand each other in terms of what information they are sending and receiving irrespective of the operating systems they are using. As per IP, data, which is voice in the present case, is transferred in terms of packages and contains different signals that can be transferred to other location. Basically, you can avoid phone charges if you are able to send voice through internet which you might have done already via simple instant messaging software like Google talk, Yahoo Messenger etc. Different modes of usage of VoIP are by the use of analog telephone adaptors or IP phones or finally through computers. Companies like AT&T provide services of VoIP for businesses, institutions and call centres etc.

SIP stands for Session Initiation Protocol which is a set of rules that are defined to initiate or modify or cut the communication between two or more computers. This protocol is different from IP because this does not deal with transporting data but deals with how two different applications on two different computers interact with each other. One example which makes the understanding easier is that of video conferencing where different computers come online at different time and SIP can be followed to initiate the connection between the applications on different computers and also to terminate the same when a user goes offline. The users are generally not aware of these because the programs are built in such a way that these protocols are followed. as a simple analogy of protocols would be that of grammar rules in our language which help us understand each other and communicate easily.

You can dig more information on SIP VoIP using internet. Step by step instructions on configuring x-lite SIP phone can also be found on my blog.

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How to Choose a Suitable VoIP Provider

VoIP or Voice over Internet Protocol is a set of transmission technologies that enable voice communication over IP networks. Today more and more individuals as well as businesses are opting for VoIP service because it provides the most cost effective means of communication. Since there are so many providers out there, you have to check out which ones are the most appropriate for your requirements. Here is a look at some crucial points that you can consider when selecting a provider:

• Choose a VoIP provider who will be able to handle the type of phone calls that you make. For example, if you make long-distance phone calls or phone a particular area a lot or if you make three-way phone calls, you should find if your select VoIP provider is offering all such services.

• Check out the various plans offered by your chosen provider. Ask them to explain in detail the benefit of each plan and how it would benefit your business. For example, if you go in for the unlimited call package, you have the opportunity to make unlimited phone calls to other telephone number. You can do this for a fixed-price each month. This is highly useful if you are running your own business and you have to make a lot of outbound calls every month.

• Check out the features offered and make comparisons with similar providers. Some providers will offer discounted rates along with additional free benefits such as fax, caller-id, call waiting, voice mail and minutes.

• Certain VoIP providers do not provide the facility for making emergency 911 phone calls. Check if your chosen provider offers this before taking up their service.

• Make enquiries about the provider's customer service. It is vital for you to select a provider who can answer you queries with friendliness and help resolve any problems that may arise in the communication process.

Dennis enjoys writing on wide range of topics such as VoIP providers and VoIP software. You may visit for more details.

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What is Next For VoIP Technology

The year 2009 was not a very good year for most world economies as the global recession from previous years continued to take its toll. Now that it's halfway through 2010, these economies are slowly bouncing back with renewed vigor in various markets for products and services; and one such market VoIP telephony for home, businesses and industries.

Although many VoIP users are motivated by cost, they are also motivated to switch by the several advancements in VoIP technology that have been shaping the industry. These include improved features and enhanced capabilities, as well as the improved integration of standards based applications with voice and video services. Interconnection of VoIP services is picking up steam as the growing worldwide interest in high definition VoIP capabilities continues to spread.

The following is a brief overview of some of the latest movers and shakers in VoIP networks and technologies as well as a brief look into upcoming trends that will set the pace for what's next in VoIP for the years to come.

The Latest Advances in VoIP Technologies

The world has recently been introduced to a wave of new mobile devices with VoIP interoperability that industry experts say will be the future of mainstream telephony. This shift could happen in just a few years. The technology already exists; VoIP calls made on a cellular phone can be "handed off" to a Wi-Fi network the moment the user steps into their office network or into a wireless hotspot. VoIP over carrier networks is also in its infancy, and improvements to mobile networks can only mean greater adoption for VoIP calling. Soon, mobile VoIP will be commonly used.

Most VoIP providers right now charge users for all inbound and outbound calls to PSTN networks. But with the integration of separate services such as the acquisition of Gizmo5 by Google who provides unlimited free calls to North America through Google Voice, users will be able to enjoy the compounded benefits of free calls to the US and Canada and cheap calls to any destination worldwide using only their broadband-enabled personal computer.

Integration of video and multimedia is another key element of VoIP that will move this technology to the next level. Soon, two-way video calling using smartphones equipped with VoIP clients may be just as common as voice calls.

An Inside Look at What's Next

VoIP is more than just voice. The next generation VoIP networks and technologies will likely focus more on multimedia and video capabilities that will further improve telecommunications and change what it means to be connected in highly interesting and innovative ways. The end user experience is further enhanced with the introduction of high definition video and high definition audio.

Already, VoIP is being integrated into the video conferencing and chat capabilities of upcoming digital TVs. This will inevitably affect both social networking and eCommerce portals by allowing users to interact more freely and directly with other people in separate networks.

VoIP is also growing in household deployments. Users can make calls from any telecommunications device in their homes without a landline. Using a softphone connected to a PC, a mobile VoIP phone device, or an SIP-enabled phone, household members can make inexpensive calls even to international destinations. Similarly, business VoIP makes it easy for management and staff to communicate and collaborate even if members are travelling halfway across the world.

Saiju is a VoIP and SaaS expert specializing in hosted pbx phone system providers and mobile SIP solutions.

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A - Z Call Termination for a Global Company

If you are looking for an innovative and forward thinking company that offers a range of global solutions to the telecom needs of your business, including a - z call termination, you should ensure that they have the direct and legal routes to make it all work. A true global leader does not generally rely on the networks of other companies. Instead, these leaders work hard to make sure they are able to obtain the needed access to the worldwide platforms necessary to provide crisp and clear calls throughout the world.

For businesses that need VoIP services, a globally situated company is the key in ensuring that they can reach suppliers no matter what part of the world they are based in. Similarly, many businesses rely on, at least part of the time, their clients being able to reach them in a quick and smooth manner no matter what time of the night or day they try their call.

Those companies providing a - z call termination often offer different levels of this call termination service. This means even those small and medium businesses can enjoy seamless connections as well as quick connections. For larger businesses, using this technology could net them a sizeable savings on international calls. As a further value, it can be used with both long distance calls as well as local calls.

In order for your VoIP business to succeed, it must have strong background platforms in order to ensure quality phone connections, all the time, every time. In addition, this highly specialised service must be covered by a team of highly trained engineers that can provide round the clock support if needed. For many VoIP businesses, dropped calls and systems that are down are cause for a dip in client satisfaction.

In addition, it is important to rely only on those providers that offer white and legal connections into the largest countries. These countries include India, Bangladesh, and the United Kingdom to name only a few. Because these countries are such key players in the global marketplace, it is vital that connections to them are stable.

For this reason, it is imperative to use a company that not only has the legal connections and the multi platforms from which to launch the telecommunications from, but also the proven track record of quality and technical knowledge necessary to continue to be a global player in the market of a - z termination.

Interested in a-z termination ? Contact Zamir Telecom at http://www.zamirtelecom.com/

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VoIP PBX Systems - Right Choice For Businesses

If you are in search of a cost-effective and useful telecommunication solution for your business, look no further than the VoIP PBX system. It is the right choice for businesses as it comes with a range of advanced features and functions for effective call management.

No Hardware Hassles

Going in for the VoIP PBX system helps the business organization to focus on its core business functions. The system is implemented utilizing dedicated telephone line and the Internet. The entire telecommunication system is controlled by the service provider who also maintains the necessary infrastructure. Thus the business can circumvent the hassles involved in implementing premise-based PBX equipment within its premises.

VoIP PBX Systems for Flawless Communication

These systems come with a host of quality features to enhance their customer base. The auto attendant features of these phone systems manage all incoming calls efficiently. Callers are welcomed with professional sounding greeting messages and directed to appropriate extensions through interactive voice messages. The menu system with dial by name, dial by extension and zero to live operator enables callers to reach the right extension and person without any delay.

Manage Business Calls from Anywhere

The PBX systems allow users to manage their business communications from virtually anywhere. When the appropriate extensions are not available for the callers, the calls will be redirected to the landline or other designated personal numbers. In addition, for efficiently conveying the message to the user, the phone system comes with many call management features such as:

• Voice mail
• Fax to email
• Follow me call forwarding
• Personal voice mailboxes
• Caller ID
• Call conferencing

With a fully featured VoIP PBX phone system, outbound calls to national and overseas locations can be made at minimum cost, considerably reducing telecom expenses. Also, several extensions can be maintained from an existing telephone connection, thereby enabling business expansion without high investment.

VoIP PBX Systems - AccessDirect provides VoIP PBX systems with advanced features such as voicemail, fax to email, auto attendant, virtual receptionist and find me follow me call forwarding.

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Is There Any Use For the Video Phone?

I was first introduced to the video phone about a year ago and it got me really excited to think that I would be able to communicate with other people I was unable to see before because of distance or the fact that now I would be able to share something personal with them through the video phone. In fact, I was able to share the joy of purchasing a new motorcycle with my good buddy Charley who lives in New Hampshire. How cool is that! Imagine, without the video phone technology he would have had to travel in order to see my new purchase.

The more I used the video phone, the more comfortable I got with it and the more it started making my life a lot easier. What really did it for me was the low monthly cost to operate compared to my "analog" telephone bill and the unlimited calling to the whole United States, Canada and Portia Rico. My mother gets the opportunity to say good night to my son Luke and my daughter Nicole each night, for as long as she wants. Think about it, the possibility's are endless.

The best thing for the technically challenged is the plug and play set up and travel box that it comes with. I have no issues at the airport when I travel either. As soon as I arrive at my hotel, I plug the phone into an internet connection and I am able to call home in less than 3 minutes! How great is that! Technology has come a very long way since cell phones were the rave. Now, we have cell phones that play video, texting is made possible and you can even send and receive photos through your cell phone.

There is a whole new arena out there with VOIP technology at the forefront. What is VOIP? Basically, it's voice over IP. It's the same technology used to go onto the internet. The only difference is that instead of "surfing" you are actually making phone calls. What will they think of next?

Okay, so I hope this article helped to answer the question, are video phones useful? Well, think of it this way, if it can enhance your life by making it easier and at the same time saves you money, I think you already know the answer.

Joseph Huber is a successful business owner and entrepreneur. He has used his knowledge to enhance the lives of others. He enjoys being able to teach people what he has learned over the years both from his successful businesses and his life experiences. Joseph believes that there is nothing better than sharing information with others and advocates "paying it forward" as much as he can. Joseph currently resides in Massachusetts with his family.

For more information please go to http://www.smartconsumerinfo.com/

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Reliable A-Z Call Termination Is A Necessity for Today's Businesses

Reliable and clear, a - z call termination is absolutely vital in the global marketplace of today. With the continuous reliance on telecommunications routes by businesses of all sizes, it just makes good business sense to choose a company that allows more VoIP calls to be completed seamlessly with fewer dropped or stalled calls.

A strong telecommunications framework is necessary for the development of e-commerce systems. These e-commerce systems include services that consumers rely on for every day use. These services include money transfers, that are in many cases, instant, online transactions of all kinds, on line payments to a variety of businesses, both large and small, and net banking, too.

Finding a global telecommunications company that offers a tier of services with corresponding costs savings based on usage, will ensure that companies of all sizes realise the most profits from their a - z call termination system. While the lower tier costs is aimed at servicing small or medium companies, the same knowledgeable technical support should be available with both tiers. In addition, both tiers should enjoy the same seamless connections provided by being able to access multiple platforms in quick succession.

A truly forward thinking telecommunications company will provide only legal termination services to a wide number of countries that are considered to be leaders by those in the business world. These include the United Kingdom, Bangladesh, Pakistan, India and Egypt.

It is important that these connections be legal. Otherwise, your company could face abrupt disruptions in service that will in turn mean your clients are faced with disruptions in their services. These disruptions are not conducive to business and should be avoided at all costs.

Because the world today is so intricately connected, having a reliable and clear connection for your VoIP lines is imperative if you want to move ahead to the next level of success in your business. Legal and what's known in the industry as "white connections" that are running on multiple platforms reduces the likelihood of a break down in the global communications that are so important in the business world of today.

In the unlikely event that such a break down does occur, however, it is imperative to have knowledgeable and effective technical support round the clock. This helps to ensure that the a - z call termination systems are back up in place and running with minimal interruption of services and little to no loss of business.

Interested in a-z termination? Contact Zamir Telecom at http://www.zamirtelecom.com/.

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HD VoIP Changing the Face of Home Telephony Solutions

The single most powerful element that binds people together is the comforting sound of a familiar voice. Nothing can signify trust and emotions better than having a face to face conversation with a family member or a friend. The telephone tried for so many years to approximate the quality and depth of a human voice but the limitations of the technology have not made this a possibility.

Advances in VoIP systems however have made several enhancements to the quality and delivery of high definition voice signals through wideband technologies. The result is better audio quality and a deeper clarity of voice that approximates that of the human voice, making HD VoIP calls superior to those that take place over the traditional PSTN or Public Switched Telephone Networks.

Cost was the foremost reason why businesses and home networks have switched over to VoIP telephony, but the emergence of high definition features makes VoIP even more attractive to users. As advances in this technology continue to overcome hurdles to fully implementing high definition VoIP for home telephony use, it will only be a matter of time before HD VoIP changes the face of home telephony.

What is HD Voice and What Can it do for VoIP Telephony

Listening to HD voice is likened by some experts to listening to high quality CD sound for the first time after years of listening to AM Radio. However, to fully understand what HD VoIP is, users must first have a clear understanding of the principles behind VoIP technologies in general. This can be simplified by comparing the range of frequencies telephony technologies operate on as compared to the human voice.

Human speech span frequencies between 30 to 13000 Hz and the recipient should hear most of these frequencies in order to fully capture the depth, intonation and quality of sound of the speaker's voice. Standard PSTN networks operate in frequency ranges between 300 to 3300 Hz and are only a fraction of what the human speech can contain. Frequencies beyond the range of the PSTN phone are simply clipped off resulting in poor sounds. To better understand this, try listening to the sound of an AM radio broadcast - PSTN frequencies are much narrower than that.

HD voice on the other hand has a range that covers frequencies between 40 to 7000 Hz, resulting in transmission qualities that are near the depth of a natural human voice. Voice sampling rates for HD is at 16,000 times per second which is double that of PSTN phones with sampling rates of 8,000 times per second. It does not capture the full range of frequencies of the natural voice but its wideband range can deliver enough voice quality to make HD VoIP phone calls sound like an ordinary face to face conversation.

The Advantages of VoIP with HD Voice for Your Home

Both business and household users want high quality communication channels to enhance and simplify their lives. However, not everyone has access to a fully convergent home communication system where they can call, send messages or have video conversations from any telecommunications device available in the home.

With HD VoIP systems, consumers from the home can enjoy twice the clarity and quality of voice than ordinary telephone calls. Family members and friends can enjoy vibrant and lifelike conversations from across long distances or even across the world as if they are in the room together with you. Such experiences can eliminate certain problems inherent in traditional phone lines such as mistaking the sound of "s" with "f". The result is clearer and more effective communications - conversations between friends or family members as they should be.

Saiju is a VoIP and SaaS expert specializing in hosted business phone service solutions and hosted SIP providers.

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How to Choose the Right VoIP Carrier

In an earlier article, we had taken a look at how a VoIP carrier must be able to meet the twin requirements of cost and customization. Usually, these attributes play off against each other with customization increasing at the expense of cost and vice versa. The true gems amongst VoIP providers (and there are many) will give you great benefits at a minimal cost.

However, in order to truly take advantage of all that VoIP has to offer, it's very important to make sure your provider is giving you all the great features that are a part of the VoIP package. Each of these features requires a dedicated article for itself, but for now I'll just give one example of what is possible. This highlights yet another reason why VoIP is the future for all businesses.

Business Hours Routing

In a globalized world, a firm can have many different offices scattered in different time zones. These can be leveraged to ensure that customers can be serviced at any time of the day or night. But for this, we need an intelligent system that looks at the time of incoming calls, figures out which office will be able to respond to it, and route it appropriately - all within milliseconds.

This feature is known as business hours routing and needs to be programmed accordingly. A good VoIP carrier will ensure that you can set up new routing features with just a few clicks. It must also be flexible and open to modifications such as holidays and such. Most importantly, control should be placed in your hands if possible. This means that you can easily set up new rules or modify old ones in front of your computer as and when necessary - no need to contact the provider.

While this can be achieved with the click of a button in VoIP systems, just think of the hassle and cost involved in setting up a comparative system in a regular PSTN environment. The difference in effort is so great, that some VoIP providers offer this as a free feature with unlimited business rules allowed which can be created, modified and deleted at any time of the day!

Choosing the right carrier

You must insist on this feature whenever you choose a VoIP carrier. Find out the costs and customization and make your decision based on how easy it should be. For a business in today's world, business hours routing is an indispensable tool.

Bhagwad is a specialist in Virtual PBX solutions. He's also an expert in implementing VoIP systems with HD voice.

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Cisco Unified Communications Manager Express Versus Avaya IP Office - New Product Comparison

VoIP-based Unified Communications Systems - A Great Business Tool

With the advent of VoIP, many companies have come up with unified communications systems. These help to ease the problems of `telephone tag' and deliver a better service to end customers of enterprises using them. With unified communication systems, it is possible to integrate CRM and customer service responses and provide the end user with a seamless way to deal with customers. Most small and medium enterprises today are doing their best to woo and retain customers by offering a great service and customer experience. Both Cisco's Unified Communications Manager and Avaya's IP Office offer facilities that help small and medium enterprises to provide a better service to their customers. Some of the features of each are discussed here.

Cisco Unified Communications Manager Express

Cost Effective Telephony Services to Both Main and Branch Offices

By using VoIP technology and unified communications systems, both Cisco and Avaya have come up with cost effective ways to use the telephone. Whether you need to make long duration local calls or long-distance calls, these products will help to limit your telephone bills. They offer huge savings in voice calls both from landlines and mobile phones. Both the products are easy to deploy, maintain, and administer. This helps bring down the total cost of the product. By unifying communication they make it easier for employees to respond to situations faster.

Moreover, Cisco's Unified Communications Manager Express has a small footprint, a valuable feature in space-starved metros.

Small Private Branch Exchange Available with Cisco's Product

Cisco's product comes with a small private branch exchange that helps you to manage your calls more effectively.

Integrating with Existing CRM Modules

Cisco's product can be integrated with existing CRM modules for better dealing with customers.

Greater Employee Productivity

Both Avaya and Cisco have designed products that increase employee productivity. While with Avaya's product, employees can choose the method of receiving calls, with Cisco's product, all employees have a greater call control, location, and status of other users.

User-specified Call Routing

With Cisco's product, users can program the system with specific instructions to route certain calls to their mobile phones or their home number. This is something that greatly increases productivity and frees employees from being tied to their desks. Knowledge workers, especially those on the move, become more productive because of this feature. This feature is also available in Avaya's IP Office.

Scalable Product for Migration to Greater Numbers

Cisco's product can support 450 employees against Avaya's 250 employees. Moreover, Cisco's product makes it convenient to migrate to a higher system later on. If you are planning to increase staff strength in the future, then Cisco's product is certainly more apt for you.

Avaya's IP Office

Just like Cisco's product, Avaya's IP Office too is a great tool to communicate among your employees and with customers.

Increases Competitiveness of the Enterprise

As Avaya's IP Office increases the possibilities of collaboration, it increases the competitiveness of your enterprise. You will be able to reach customers much more efficiently than your competition.

Resiliency during Power Outages

In case of power outages, Avaya's IP Office will ensure that you can still communicate via the phone. This is because it has built-in resiliency of one branch office system taking over the communication functions of the other.

The only problem with this feature is that for it to function you need to have at least two offices.

Free Conferencing Facility

Avaya's product offers free conferencing facility supporting 64 people at a time. This is something that Cisco's product does not offer. Though Avaya's product can offer point-to-point video calls, it does not support video conferencing as yet. However, it does offer the facility to record conferences, making it a great business tool. If your business needs you to hold a lot of teleconferences, you should definitely choose this product over Cisco's.

Can Be Administered Centrally

Avaya's IP Office can be deployed at more than one location, yet be administered from a central office. This saves on an administrator's salary and, therefore, saves on costs. The product also proactively looks for problems and solves them before they become a major issue. Again this reduces downtime.

Cisco's product does not have this feature yet.

While both Avaya's IP Office and Cisco's Unified Communications Manager Express are great products they have different features. This means that you need to see which features your particular enterprise needs and then opt for the appropriate product. Both are cost effective solutions to today's communication needs. They help the enterprise connect with its customers in more ways than one. If your enterprise is likely to grow into a bigger one with more employees then using Cisco's product makes sense. However, if you need teleconferencing facilities then you need to choose Avaya's product. Cisco's small footprint also makes it ideal for businesses located in metros or other areas where office space is at a premium.

This article was provided by Scott Camball of TRC Networks, Our website address is http://www.trcnetworks.com.

Browse our site and learn why we have become so well regarded as the top telephony company in the GTA. We provide services in Toronto, Southern Ontario, Montreal, Calgary, and Vancouver. Also, we offer our services in many other Canadian and American market places with Nortel, Avaya, and Cisco.

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Hosted PBX VoIP System Benefits Companies

Hosted PBX VoIP phone system offers numerous benefits to small business companies. By implementing a hosted PBX VoIP phone system integrated with advanced telecommunication interface that are similar to costly telephone systems owned by multinational companies, small businesses can deliver quality customer support services and thereby project a convincing professional image.

Easy to Maintain Additional Extension Lines

An important benefit that the hosted PBX VoIP phone system offers companies is that several extensions can be maintained from a single telephone connection and hence business can be expanded at reduced cost. Outbound calls to local and overseas locations can be made at economic rates, thus noticeably decreasing telecommunication overheads. Using virtual phone numbers, a business presence can be established at desired sites, eliminating the capital investments needed for setting up physical offices. Operating locations can be changed without altering existing business numbers.

Project a Professional Image

To help businesses manage customer calls professionally, the hosted PBX VoIP phone system is incorporated with outstanding call handling functions like auto attendant, call conferencing, voice to e-mail, fax to e-mail, automatic call distribution, find-me/follow-me call forwarding and more.

The built-in auto attendant handles incoming calls with recorded salutation messages and presents the callers with menu options such as dial-by-name, dial-by-extension and more. Calls are transferred to appropriate extensions as requested by the caller. The system manages multiple incoming calls with incomparable efficiency and routes calls without giving off 'line busy' signals.

With its efficient call forwarding feature, calls to main business numbers can be forwarded to your alternate phone numbers including residential landlines and cell phones. The unanswered calls are transferred to the voicemail system, enabling callers to place voice messages. Voice messages are also forwarded to designated e-mail accounts. All these features offer business professionals and their workforce the flexibility to operate from convenient locations.

No Equipment Hassles

To enjoy the advanced features of the hosted PBX VoIP phone system, companies do not have to install any costly onsite hardware. The service providers maintain all the equipment and provide PBX phone functions using broadband Internet or telephone connections at economic monthly rents.

Hosted PBX VoIP System - AccessDirect provides PBX VoIP as part of PBX phone service. Hosted PBX system features auto call attendant service, voice mail, fax on demand, fax to email, find me follow me call forwarding, and numerous other features.

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Feature-rich and Cost-effective VoIP Hosted PBX Services

Feature-rich and cost-effective VoIP hosted PBX services are a real support for small and medium-sized business organizations that aspire to augment their business identity.

Feature-rich, Cost-effective Telecommunication System

VoIP-enabled hosted PBX phone services enables small and medium-sized business firms to benefit from advanced call management features such as automatic call distribution, find-me/follow-me call forwarding, auto attendant, voice to email, call conferencing, music on hold, fax to email and more without investing in any expensive hardware. The service providers maintain the PBX equipment at their site and the system functionalities are offered through a hosted server using high-speed Internet or telephone networks at reasonable monthly rents.

Professional Call Answering Service

VoIP hosted PBX services help efficient call management throughout business hours and even after. The auto attendant included in the system greets callers with suitable reception messages and provides a list of options including dial-by-name, dial-by-extension and more. Calls are quickly forwarded to the appropriate extensions selected by the caller. The system effortlessly manages multiple incoming calls and accomplishes call transfer without sending out 'line engaged' signals.

Calls arriving to your business phone numbers can be even forwarded to your personal numbers assigned as extensions using the sophisticated call forwarding feature. This means that your business can be easily managed from distant sites. The voicemail system in VoIP PBX service efficiently manages the unanswered calls, and enables business professionals to focus on official activities without bothering about missed calls.

Connect to More Operating Locations at No Extra Cost

With a hosted VoIP PBX phone service, several extensions can be maintained from a single telephone connection. Many businesses branches in several locations, some of which may be in other countries. With hosted PBX, calls can be made between these locations using virtual phone numbers or simple four-digit extension numbers, and at no extra cost. This is because the call is transferred through the PBX phone network rather than the conventional long distance calling. This feature is a big advantage for businesses that want to save on telephone bills.

These features and capabilities of the VoIP hosted PBX services makes it very popular among small business establishments.

Hosted VoIP PBX - AccessDirect, a leading provider of Hosted PBX systems, offers affordable VoIP hosted PBX solutions for all type of business establishments. Hosted VoIP PBX system comes with a range of features including voice mail, auto attendant, fax to email and follow me call forwarding.

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How Viable is VoIP For Businesses?

Entrepreneurs and investors know how important communication is to the success of any venture. Having proper communication channels with clients, suppliers, partners and staff ensures that every aspect of the business is well met and organized to make sure all processes runs as smoothly as possible. Making certain that all vital information be quickly relayed--whether it be to employees, clients or suppliers-keeps the business from collapsing.

To ensure that proper communication channels are in place, businesses invest in telecommunication systems: telephones, fax machines, PABX systems, cellular phones - for local and if necessary, international communications. However, owning and maintaining such systems may cost a considerable amount of capital, usually an amount that would be too taxing for newly established small to medium sized enterprises. Furthermore, traditional PSTN or Public Switched Telephone Networks have certain limitations that may not keep up with needs, particularly in the highly competitive global market.

What businesses need is a viable alternative solution that can cater to all their telecommunications demands. Business VoIP solutions can fulfill this requirement - and much more. The following is an overview of VoIP solutions for businesses and how they can benefit small to medium and even large enterprises.

An Overview of Business VoIP Features and Benefits

VoIP or Voice over Internet Protocol makes use of the Internet to send voice packets over the Internet instead of the traditional PSTN switched telephone lines. Unlike PSTN lines, which are heavily regulated resulting in premium pricing (particularly for international calls), VoIP calls are much cheaper and may only require a fixed minimal monthly fee for all calls regardless of point of origin.

Traditional PBX or Private Branch Exchange systems require sophisticated and highly expensive telecommunications equipment in order to connect all telephone lines in the business to the PSTN network. Business VoIP systems, on the other hand, only require a broadband internet connection to make calls. Plug your phone in with an Ethernet cable and you're halfway there.

Business VoIP networks offer a wide array of features and functions that would prove useful for business users. These features include voicemail boxes, conference bridges, auto-attendants, call groups, caller ID, call forwarding and much.

What VoIP Can Do for Your Business

Businesses often rely on making multiple phone calls each day to existing and prospective clients. In traditional systems, the number of calls that can be made at the same time will depend on how big the PBX systems is to accommodate all connected telephones, and how fast the operator can switch and route the calls. With hosted VoIP, more telephone lines and calls can be made at the same time and are routed automatically to their intended destinations without the need for additional manpower to facilitate the calls.

The globalization of most industries requires businesses to maintain a presence in different states or even different countries to cater to an international clientele. Maintaining proper communications between these offices would be too costly using traditional phone networks. With hosted VoIP solutions, different offices do not have to invest in separate PBX equipment and international calls can be made at discounted rates.

The added features and functions offered by VoIP for business like video-conferencing, unified messaging, and multimedia applications result in better productivity and increased opportunities for higher revenues. Staff can work from anywhere, telecommute, and keep up vital communication with management on the go. All these attributes make business VoIP solutions a viable telecommunications tool soon to be a vital element for the success of any growing business.

Saiju is a VoIP and business software expert specializing in hosted phone system solutions and hosted IP PBX services.

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VoIP to Be the Trendsetter in Mobile Telecommunications

VoIP or Voice over Internet Protocol networks have slowly gained a foothold on telecommunications and are slowly replacing standard PSTN phones as the mainstream telephony devices used for personal, commercial and industrial use. As people and businesses continue to demand more cost-effective communications solutions, VoIP technologies is turning towards the mobile market. Mobile devices can be transformed into a VoIP phone with SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) clients - the same signaling protocol that is used for voice and video communication sessions over the Internet.

Mobile VoIP will likely play a large part in the convergence of consumer electronics, entertainment, information technology and global telecommunications. Whether the direction is software-based integration to existing mobile equipment or the creation of new mobile hardware, the technology promises to offer a whole new world of functionalities for the mobile market.

The following is a brief overview of the trends and advances in mobile IP based communications. As this technology goes from new to mainstream, more and more wireless operators will look into providing VoIP for mobile options to consumers.

An Overview of Mobile VoIP

Making existing VoIP networks mobile has been the goal of many industry leaders since VoIP established its foothold as a reliable communications technology.

There are two factors at play here. The first involves software integration of a standards based SIP client into existing hardware while the other focuses on opening up existing platforms to allow the dual-mode calling needed to switch from standard mobile networks to IP based networks.

Some VoIP providers currently offer all on network calls free of charge. Providers like these, such as Skype, require users to purchase a fixed monthly credit or pay-per-use plan when calling standard landline phones or other mobile phones. Some providers will ask for a one-time activation fee while others do not. These charges however are minimal and still much cheaper than what standard mobile carriers charge. In the best scenario, users can purchase their own SIP client application of choice and select their ideal VoIP service provider. Since the client and service do not necessarily have to be linked, users have the freedom to choose the features they want, and how much they want to pay for them.

The mobile VoIP experience can also be integrated or upgraded with other applications that users might find useful for other telecommunication needs. For example, mobile SIP clients registered to business VoIP service providers can do extension-to-extension dialing and mimick a desk phone.

Mobile VoIP Taking the Market Lead

The total fixed broadband market in 2009 included approximately just over 450 million subscribers from around the world. It is expected to grow annually at a 40 percent rate. As mobile broadband speeds continue to approximate that of fixed networks, mobile VoIP over 3G or 4G devices is projected to reach 100 million in 2012 and over 300 million subscribers by the year 2013.

This massive leap in subscribers was forecasted by several research and analytics groups in various reports regarding next generation wireless markets. Acceptance and uptake of the various mobile VoIP offerings over 3G, 4G, and Wi-Fi networks will continue to increase and it is expected that by 2019, over half of mobile calls will be made through VoIP networks.

Saiju is a telecommunications expert specializing in business phone service solutions and mobile VoIP.

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VoIP Security Threats and Issues

VoIP services are the new rage in the realm of telecommunication. However as every new technology is accompanied by its pros and cons; the same holds true for VoIP. VoIP security is currently one of the most talked about issues. Unlike the email and web services; VoIP operates on a unique system that works by translating the voice signals into data packets. These data packets can then be sent easily via an Internet service to the receiving end. At the destination, the data packet is then again converted into voice signal. Because VoIP makes use of high-speed Internet connection for efficient packet transfer, hackers can easily tap into this information.

Even though VoIP networks provide businesses of all types with a cost effective solution to their communication needs; a great many network administrators are unaware of the network threats they might be exposed to. VoIP security needs to be paid close attention to for it is one of the greatest drawbacks of this technology. A typical VoIP network may be treated as a traditional LAN or WAN where every computer of the network is prone to security threats and breaches.

Some of the most alarming security threats faced by VoIP networks have been listed as under. Every network administrator should be well aware of these attacks and breaches for a single negligence on the administrator's part may lead to valuable information and confidential data being stolen.

DoS attacks or the Denial of Service Attacks belong to a class of security threat that is perhaps even more devastating than any worm or Trojan. The threat works to devastate an organization's VoIP network by forcing disconnection of the phone lines. As a result the phone lines experience long periods of busy signals and reconnection is delayed.

Another type of security threat associated with VoIP networks is that of Eavesdropping. Generally as voice signal (in the form of data packets) is being transmitted over an Internet connection, hackers can tap into this connection and steal valuable information. What's more is that once a hacker is capable of snooping into your network he has the undue advantage of causing further damage by introducing DoS attacks. For network administrators and computer addicts the age-old scam of phishing is not a new one. When it comes to Voice over Internet Protocol, the crime is renamed as Vising. The target of such crimes is generally financial data and its unlawful pursuit and use. In addition, it often becomes difficult to track such criminals owing to a strategy named as caller id spoofing.

One of the best ways to provide efficient VoIP security is to make use of encryption. Encryption can be imposed by installing an encryption hardware that prevents a hacker's access to your voice data. Furthermore be alive to password thefts and make sure that all manufacturer passwords are changed with minimal delay.

Wifinotes.com is great site where you can learn about wifi wireless technology, wifi wireless network, mobile communications, IT Certifications and also find computer networking tutorials.

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VoIP - A Service Worthy of Reliance

The field of telecommunication has advanced by leaps and bounds in the past few years. With numerous new services and technologies being introduced; communication and its quality both have increased considerably. One such service, which has been around for a few years and continues to gain the attention of millions worldwide, is the VoIP or Voice over Internet Protocol service that enables users to send and receive voice messages. The service makes use of Internet connection. As the Internet connection is typically fixed for digital signals and data-sound or voice signals can only be sent over such a medium when they are converted into a digital format.

In actual the voice signals are converted into packets of data and then transmitted. At the receiving end this digital data is again converted into a voice signal. One of the chief advantages of this service is the enhanced voice or signal quality due to minimum distortion. In addition, as Internet service is available in almost every organization and home; there are no additional installation charges for the service.
The mentioned advantages of VoIP services have lead to their high demand worldwide. Consequently this has lead to an increased competition among the service providers with many more companies launching similar services at lower and more competitive prices.

One commonly observed impression about the VoIP service is the average user's hesitancy to select it over the traditional phones. A great many people tend to think that since VoIP service has recently been introduced, it is not a very reliable service. On the contrary, the efficiency of VoIP service surpasses all other voice technologies and services and is most definitely a service worthy of reliance.

Those who are new to the service should make sure they are well aware of a certain important points. The most important of these is the type of package they opt for. These packages are generally for various users depending on their usage and needs and thus select one that would best suit your needs and demands. Users who have extensive usage of long distance calls should opt for packages that specifically offer free or unlimited long distance calls. Similarly, if your calls are basically limited within your own area or city; then opting for the previously mentioned package would surely be of no use. For this reason, wisely choose a package plan considering the calls, their frequency and the costs in mind. As VoIP is a service transforming an analog voice signal into a digital one and then again converting it back to analog form at the receiving end; it makes use of additional hardware for the purpose. Most often this hardware is offered by your service provider himself and you do not to have to purchase it separately from the market.

However, if you do have to invest in a good hardware then make sure that the hardware specifications match your software version in order to avoid any discrepancies. The growing VoIP market demand has made possible this service being available at rates lower than one could imagine. Moreover, as different companies try to launch more user-friendly packages and deals in order to attract their customers; the service and its popularity are definitely on the rise.

Wifinotes.com is great site where you can learn about wifi wireless technology, wifi wireless network, mobile communications, IT Certifications and also find computer networking tutorials.

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Understanding 911 Calling With VoIP Providers

Accessing emergency services by dialing 911 is a critical component of public safety. The general public is accustomed to the functionality of calls to 911 over traditional telephone service. Consumer customers of Vonage, Skype and Google Voice as well as business customers of Hosted PBX, Hosted VoIP and Virtual PBX from VoIP providers use Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), which is a completely different technology. VoIP technology brings unique challenges and different functionality in 911 call processing.

Do not expect VoIP 911 calls to function the same as traditional telephone 911 calls.

Key Differences Between VoIP and Traditional 911 Calls

1. Traditional telephone calls to 911 are sent to the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) that is responsible for a particular area. Usually the local PSAP can automatically identify the location and telephone number of the caller. Some VoIP providers may not connect to the local PSAP or they may inappropriately ring to the administrative line of the PSAP which may not be staffed after hours or answered by trained 911 operators.

2. VoIP calls to 911 may connect to the appropriate PSAP but not automatically transmit telephone number and location.

3. Many VoIP providers allow their customers to self move their telephones to any location that has broadband Internet access. The customer must take the responsibility to update the location information of the telephone as the VoIP providers will not be aware of the move.

4. Traditional home telephones may get their power from the telephone company. Business telephone systems may get their power from centralized equipment which may have power back up. 911 and other calls may fail on VoIP service during a power outage if each piece of equipment required to connect the IP telephone to the Internet does not have power back up.

5. VoIP calls, including 911 calls, may fail when the Internet connection becomes overloaded.

6. VoIP 911 calls may go through a VoIP 911 center who verifies telephone number and address before forwarding the call to the local PSAP.

7. VoIP telephones which cannot call Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) numbers may have no 911 call capabilities at all.

Although the differences between traditional and VoIP 911 calls may seem scary, it is not with the following tips.

Tips for VoIP 911 Calls

1. Select a VoIP or Hosted VoIP provider that routes their 911 calls to a 911 center or the local PSAP for your area.

2. Provide an accurate physical address to the VoIP provider for each telephone.

3. Know the procedures for updating the physical address and promptly update in the event of a change.

4. Install power back up units to keep the Internet, router(s) and VoIP telephones working during a power outage.

5. Place a test 911 call after a new VoIP telephone installation or after a change of physical address.

6. Clearly mark any telephone that does not connect to the PSTN and cannot make 911 calls.

The FCC imposed 911 obligations on all Interconnected VoIP providers in 2005. An Interconnected VoIP is VoIP over a broadband Internet service that connects with the PSTN or traditional telephone network. By FCC rules, the VoIP provider must provide 911 as a standard feature, obtain customer physical address before service activation and offer an easy means to update information. With the FCCs rules and by following the tips above, 911 service will be available on VoIP telephones when an emergency arises.

And now you are invited to visit my website where you can learn helpful communication tips such as "How to Survive Your Hosted PBX/Hosted VoIP Provider Going Out of Business." You may contact my Hosted PBX sales engineers at 866-242-6161.

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Where to Begin With VoIP Phone Systems?

The Internet and the phone system have managed to keep apart from one another in terms of use and purpose. A new technology has appeared in recent years that is about to change that. It is known as Voice over Internet Protocol or VoIP, and it works by transmitting voice data over an Internet connection as digital signals. VoIP is much faster and much more efficient than traditional telephony because VoIP wastes much less data. VoIP is already beginning to revolutionize telecommunications as the Internet and phone service are starting to combine at last.

A lot of telecommunications providers have started to either offer a VoIP option or simply runs their telecoms services via a VoIP systems. VoIP holds great promise for professional and personal applications alike. Businesses can reap great rewards from using VoIP because of the dramatic cut in costs it affords them, which gives them a competitive edge since the result is they can charge lower prices. Free VoIP programs have started to revolutionize how people communicate by largely eliminating traditional phone services from their homes. As you might imagine, this has led to people questioning whether they ever need to pay for their phone services again in light of the fact they can communicate for free over the internet.

VoIP has already changed how many professionals and executives communicate. One example of this is that mobile phone calls can also be routed through a business VoIP network thus practically eliminating mobile phone charges except for the cost of the handset and fees. When traveling internationally, customers of regular cell phone plans often find that the cost of service has skyrocketed. VoIP users need not worry about this as software is available that will enable them to make international calls through VoIP network and drastically cut and charges.

As traditional phones are still available, a special adapter can be used to integrate the two technologies. This adapter interfaces between a regular analog phone and a digital Internet connection. Any touch tone phone can now connect to phones and computers via the internet, which enables users to talk to one another from anywhere in the world, since the adapter essentially carries home phone numbers wherever users go.

In addition to connecting by a VoIP system, a user can also purchase an IP phone. These phones can connect direct to an internet connection rather than through a VoIP Network. Wherever they may be in the world, a user can then talk to any other VoIP-enabled phone. This obviously offers a massive benefit for businesses that employ traveling executives. VoIP will change telecommunications forever as it becomes widely adopted.

John Horace is a freelance writer trying to eek out a living from content writing. The Alcatel 4018 is a great way of keeping the cost of communicating down. The Alcatel 4018 also makes for the perfect small business phone, with features like loud speaker and caller ID display.

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VoIP Phones - An Introduction

A particular technology that has recently emerged and promises revolutionize telephone usage is known as Voice over Internet Protocol or VoIP. VoIP works by transmitting the data generated by the human voice over an Internet connection. Effectively, internet users now have the option to converse with each other, via the internet, and in real-time. This can happen,regardless of the distance that separates all parties. This means that telephony has taken a huge step forward and now has the potential to integrate the Internet as well as regular communications into a new medium.

The potential business applications are many, and businesses across the country have started to implement VoIP technology. Businesses can improve their productivity by orders of magnitude while cutting back on communications cost. Since this is the heart and sole of growth, businesses have started to use VoIP right and left.

VoIP can be used in three ways for communication. The first is to use a device known as an analogue telephone adapter or ATA. This device converts analogue voice signals into digital data that can be transmitted over the Internet using a router or modem. The second is simply using a computer program known as a softphone to call anyone who has the same program. The third involves using an IP phone to by-pass the conversion process altogether by simply digitizing the user's voice.

IP phones work exactly like regular phones, except that instead of a regular phone connector, they have an Ethernet connector. This enables the IP phone to connect to the internet directly rather than through the VoIP system. These phones have taken the market by storm, and recent models even allows users to communicate by connecting to the Internet wirelessly. Walk into an internet café, turn on the wireless transmitter and that person has a working phone. Since popular softphone programs can be installed directly on regular phones, this means that free softphone programs allow users of wireless IP phones to talk for free virtually anywhere.

The power of VoIP offers businesses a widely available way to reduce their running costs significantly. This results in increaded profitability for the company as their reduced costs translate to more competitive pricing and thus increased popularity. VoIP technology might change the way we conduct our personal and professional lives. With VoIP, people can use their everyday PCs and Macs to communicate with friends and work colleagues. Multiple calls can be made at the same time to increase the chances of being answered. This is the magic of VoIP.

Finding the right phone for your business can be a job in itself, but thankfully sometimes it is easier than others. Take the Alcatel 4038 for example. It has a wealth of features like the huge display screen, this makes the Alcatel 4038 in a class of its own when it comes to company phones.

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VOIP PBX Systems For Beginners

As mentioned, VOIP telephone systems provide all the same capabilities of a traditional PSTN phone systems, yet they do not cost as much to implement and run. Voice mail, caller ID, call forwarding, auto attendant, and follow me call forwarding are all present. Voice mail and email may now become synonymous when voice recorded emails are transcribed to email for easy reading. Local phone numbers and toll free numbers are provided with most VOIP PBX system.

Open standards allow for customisation and flexibility of the VOIP PBX system. With Open standards, proprietary technology can be integrated into the existing system and offer added protection against security breaches. Businesses can also take advantage of add-ons such as technology to operate fax machines, card payment systems, and other security features.

VoIP is popular with organisations seeing rapid expansion as the system is highly portable and easy to install and use. A switch is connected to the router and Local Area Network (LAN). The VOIP phone is in then connected to the switch and calls can be completed. This installation process is easy and adding a phone line is simple. With this set up, an employee can use their direct line in or outside the office.

For small companies of 5 employees or less, 90 kbits per second transmission is necessary for each phone line. A more extensive network may be needed for companies with more than 100 employees. A general PBX system works by converting circuit switched outputs that originate from the PBX system into IP packets. These data packets are then are sent to the router and through T1 or T3 lines. To use this type of system, most companies must secure business broadband internet to support multiple calls with no interruptions.

Companies seeking to invest in a VOIP PBX system will require minimal investment. Small companies may spend under $1,000 for the system. Larger organisations will have to spend more. The unique aspect of VOIP PBX is that each conversation can be easily recorded and transcribed to text because every conversation is digitized. For future use, conversations can be recorded and either stored on a hard drive or burnt onto a CD-R or DVD.

Mitel offers businesses several Mitel VOIP PBX systems that can accommodate businesses as small as 30, as well as, businesses with 60,000 users. These particular phone systems have multiple features. Most Mitel phones have over 500 features available to a user including ACD, wireless gateway, auto attendant, and unified messaging. Wireless handsets are also available. The system is scalable and easy to maintain and install.

The Avaya 1616 is one smart phone. It doubles as a conference phone and has a multiple caller facility, making the Avaya 1616 ideal for the home.

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A Beginners Guide to Small Business VoIP

The greatest need for a start-up business is for it's staff to work together cohesively and for that, an effective communication solution is needed. The business likely does not need to handle internal communication volume, but it does need to be able to reach customers easily. Customer service is the backbone of the UK economy today. Regardless of whether the business offers a good or a service, catering to their customers is the number-one priority.

The only way that small businesses can communicate with their customers in the beginning is either by phone or by e-mail. Aside from these two options, a business cannot do much more until it has the capital to consider more advanced options. Once they go, their customers will probably start becoming more regular, which means that they will have a larger volume of regular external calls. This could necessitate installing a private branch exchange in order to handle the call traffic if the volume grows too large.

Fortunately, a new technology has arrived that many businesses large and small are adopting at an increasing rate. VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is a step forward for the telecommunications world as it transmits conversations (and other information as we shall see) over an internet connection rather than a standard phone line. The benefits for a small business is that the traditional telephone line can be done away with and the calls and and internet usage merged into one, thus effecting a significant saving in company overheads.

Small businesses can eliminate their phone service bills by switching to VoIP. There are several free services such as Skype Business or there are paid services such as those offered by Vonage. Whichever option is chosen though, the main point is that a small business can cut communications costs - one of the key expenses that all starting businesses have to deal with. Small companies suddenly find that they have much more spendable capital than they used to.

Cutting back on communications costs while simultaneously increasing their productivity is a great deal for a small business. VoIP helps boost productivity by enabling businesses large and small to integrate their internal and external telephony systems with their Internet service. As a result, teams achieve day-to-day goals more effectively than they might consider possible. As an example, employees no longer have to balance talking on the phone while manipulating information on a computer. The phone service is essentially integrated into the computer, which removes the difficulty.

As the technology gains popularity and develops, even more robust solutions will appear. Currently, small and large businesses are adopting VoIP systems in order to cut costs and more closely integrate customer service functions within their overall business plan. VoIP lets businesses focus on getting off the ground, which is the first step in success.

The Alcatel 4028 is the perfect voip phone for the small business looking to save money from their communications. The Alcatel 4028 has an IP touch feature and is ideal of the home IP office.

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Can Your Business Benefit From a VOIP Service?

Nowadays everyone is looking for ways to reduce their expenditures and make the most of each dollar. For this reason the majority of individuals are evaluating where they are spending the most money in their finances and attempting to find ways to reduce costs. Switching your home or company over to a VOIP service will really help bring down your monthly expenditures.

High speed internet services are necessary for many people and businesses given that anything slower than a high speed connection can certainly squander a lot of time and almost all people believe that time is money. VOIP is a telephone service that enables you to run your telephone line through your high speed internet connection and this helps bring the bills way down.

Most Voice Over IP Services cost only about $25-$35 every month for a household based service. This service will not just assist to cut down your monthly telephone charges by close to $100 per month but you are going to get a multitude of the services that you would like and require free of charge. Provided with many VOIP services are voice mail, call waiting, caller id along with three way calling. They even include all local and long distance calls, within your own country, for one low monthly cost. You are going to know what to expect every single month when the phone bill shows up. No surprises, which is a feature that most individuals find to be priceless.

If you carry out a great deal of international calling then you can generally upgrade your package for only a couple more dollars per month and acquire all of your international calling for simply one low charge as well. The best issue is by using these VOIP services, no matter the number of long distance calls you make, you will always pay just one price. This can be especially valuable when making calls to completely different time zones given that there is no need to fret about the time of day that you happen to be conducting these calls. You can easily simply pick up the phone and call at the acceptable time of day without extra charges or needing to fret about calling merely in the evening or over the weekends to save a couple of dollars.

Internet phone services can actually assist you to cut down monthly costs for your company as well as you can easily formalize your VOIP services to your home or business and knock a number of dollars off your monthly bills. Making the move to VOIP is something that people and business owners are doing each and every day to save money on their monthly phone costs. If you're searching for a means to cut down on monthly expenses then it is time to give some thought to making the change over to VOIP with all the extras that you want for one low monthly cost.

If your interested in voip Australia log onto www.activ8me.net.au. You can get all the information you need on VOIP, satellite internet and much more.

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Way to Make a Cheap Call Abroad

You may be searching on ways to make cheap international calls to America. Technology has evolved and has now provided ways to make really cheap calls. VoIP is this magic word. Harnessing the power of the internet it is now possible to call your business partner in China for free without costing you an arm and a leg. Using VoIP you can make local, national and international calls for nothing.

Calling Cards have been the most popular method of making international calls. These days you can now buy calling cards online. This is a far cry from having to walk down to the local shops to pick up a card, and then scratch off the silver foil to reveal your access number.

Skype is probably the most famous product on the market that enables people to stay in touch and share the love. If you have a laptop with an internet connection. Calls between laptops are always free so this is the best way to communicate. You can now get a headset with microphones and headphones which enhance the call quality.

If you are looking to call a landline phone then you will incur some charges, but these will be so much less than if you were to call someone in America direct from your BT phone. On Skype the costs are minimal so its really worthwhile to set up an account. There are many offers on the internet which can help in keeping costs down. It is quite simple to do the research to find the best deals. Some countries may not be on the international destinations

For business associates it is vital to have excellent communication between the team members. On Skype you have a video conferencing facility whereby you can invite more than 1 person to a meeting online. Coupled with software such as Team viewer you can share desktop and work as if you are in really in front of them.
In the 21st century where cutting costs and outsourcing is necessary it is important to find ways to improve communication at a cost effective price.

If you want to how about how to make cheap calls to america and see how to make free international calls

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Benefits of a VoIP Hosted Phone System

If you're thinking about taking your small business up a notch, you can start by making it easier on your secretary and choosing a hosted business phone system. If you don't have one already, here are some of the benefits of a hosted phone system.

No expensive new equipment

Pay for the phones you need and choose an appropriate plan for each user

Switch from your current provider without a hassle

Keep your phone numbers

Enjoy a multitude of new calling features that previously you didn't have

Cheap international and national rates

And if those didn't convince you, here are some of the more important features explained in detail:

1. Manage your company: Personalized vanity numbers can attract more customers because they're easier to remember and make it seem like your business has a firm grasp on the industry. Personal extensions give your customers greater ease in reaching who they want to talk to, and you can always have the option of the operator if you don't want customers to be frustrated talking to a machine. Every employee can have their own extension and reaching them is streamlined. You can create a company directory, and have three way calling features and group telephony meetings. Call screening also allows your employees to reject or accept calls depending on who is calling.

2. Tools: Call logs, preference based calling, click to call dialing, voicemail in your e-mail, and tons of other features enhance your business capabilities. Doing business on the road or from home is easy when you can access your work phone and emails away from work. You can customize your voicemail to play for as long as you want (during holidays) and you can make phone calls on your business phone ring on your cell too. That translates into higher efficiency, and less of a burden at the office. Ease of communication means improved communication, and as any good businessman knows, that translates into greater trust, and greater profits.

3. Automated service: Call waiting and music playing enhances the calling experience of your customers, and impresses upon them that they are dealing with a professional, large scale service. You can accept greater call volume this way also. A barrage of phone ringing can be distracting, so simplify the process and make it easier on your workers. This feature is included in your monthly VoIP bill.

VoIP is telephony reinvented for the 21st century. Now that all of these features are standard for most businesses, even more are being developed. Video telephony is just a few years away from being standard, and by making the switch now, you will be less daunted by the vast changes yet to come. With so many useful features, why keep your company in the past? Stay ahead of the competition and it will pay dividends for your business.

POPVOIP.com provides VoIP service to small- and medium-sized companies with neat features like business toll free number support. If you're looking to invest in a hosted phone system, give POP VOIP a try.

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Hear the Buzz About VOIP

It is easy for you to use VOIP and be a part of a new way of communicating that transcends the traditional use of telephones. With an analog telephone adapter and an existing telephone jack, you can enjoy VOIP from a fixed location, provided by broadband Internet and cable companies and with the use of your computer. Or, if you use a VOIP phone, you can connect to the IP through Wi-Fi or Ethernet. Lastly, if you purchase a softphone, you can install it into your computer and access VOIP and enjoy VOIP calling without any added hardware.

Many cell phone carriers, such as Nokia, are participating with VOIP to create a merging between the cellular network and the Wi-Fi network, and you, too can take part of this efficient new phone service. Since 2004, the marketing of VOIP has spread to the masses and now many big businesses are eagerly embracing VOIP in the place of traditional telephone systems because of their bigger bandwidths and their extremely low costs.

VOIP is amazing in its ability to transmit more than one telephone call over a single broadband connection without the need of extra phone lines. Moreover much of the problems of securing a regular telephone connection is not a problem with VOIP, as it is already a digitized and secure line. You can enjoy pure location independence, as VOIP is accessible from anywhere at any time and only requires a fast and stable Internet connection to get a connection from a VOIP provider to anywhere you choose.

VOIP is the way to enhance and better your communication experience. It allows you to enjoy having video conversations, send messages and data files during conversation, have audio conferences with more than one person, manage your date, calendar and address books, and pass along information in an online community in a way that telephones never dreamed of providing.

Of course, there are certainly some limitations to VOIP. Unlike telephones, which are connected to and powered by central telephone companies, VOIP is susceptible to failed modems and cables on the computer. Additionally, because of VOIP's omnipresence, in the case of an emergency, it is difficult to track down the location of the call and does not provide a mapping of the IP address needed to indentify the caller's location.

However, do not worry, because the makers of VOIP have countered this problem by developing the VOIP Enhanced 911 services that keeps a list of its customers' addresses so that in the case of an emergency, they can be located. So to make this most effective, you must be sure to keep up to date records of your address information so that you can be contacted in case of an emergency.

Finally, as with anything over the Internet, VOIP is susceptible to hackers who can sneak into the system and cause drastic and damaging results. Thus, you need to be sure you invest in a Public Secure VOIP, which is available and with free GNU programs.

Source: Article

Roberto Sedycias works as an IT consultant for PoloMercantil

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SIP Softphone - What is it and What is Special About It?

A Softphone is a software application that is used to make phone calls over internet that works based on VoIP. It is a virtual telephone without any requirement of separate hardware and it can be used by plugging just the headset to the sound card of our computer.

SIP stands for Session Initiation Protocol which is a set of rules that can be adopted in order to initiate a connection between two applications on different computers. It can also be adopted for dynamic interactions such as to modify or terminate the connections among different computer applications over the internet. Different computers on the internet use different applications and operating systems, hence SIP is important in order to establish a connection between such applications. If those applications are based on SIP then they can dynamically connect and interact with each other and one of best examples for this would be that of Video Conferencing. SIP is ubiquitous in controlling communication through multimedia such as video and voice signals which are being transferred based on Internet Protocol.

An SIP based softphone is an application where voice signals are controlled as per Session Initiation Protocol. You can easily understand the importance of rules of grammar in English language. Similarly, SIP serves the purpose of establishing a standard for controlling communication among two or more applications. With the use of softphone, you can make free calls to the same application on other computers by making use of Internet Telephony Service Provider (ITSP).

One of the very popular softphone that you might have already used is Google Talk but it is based on a different protocol called Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol (XMPP). Hence, Google Talk cannot be used to make calls to SIP based applications. SIP based devices or applications are very popular in commercial market and applications are based on Session Initiation Protocol for business purposes in general.

SIP Softphone is a very handy software that can be used to make calls to another computer for free. But calls to a normal telephone from an SIP Softphone are gaining popularity although they are not always for free.

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How VoIP Can Help Your Small Business

Since the introduction of Skype, the free PC to PC phone service, most Americans have become aware of the advantages of VoIP phone systems for personal calling. Recently, VoIP is available across multiple mediums including mobile telephone devices like AT&T's iPhone or Google's Android. Most young and professional people are no longer pursuing traditional landlines and are focused on mobile internet devices; it seems that VoIP has solidly made a mark on the US.S. telecommunications market.

VoIP phone systems can provide small businesses with a brand new set of advantages. VoIP phone systems offer much more savings as compared to traditional analog phone systems. In these turbulent times, only the leanest and fittest entrepreneurial ventures will survive; this means that no savings opportunities should be overlooked!

While they might be significantly cheaper than traditional landline based systems, they should certainly not be thought of as a discount or lower-tier option. The features available on a VoIP phone system are unique to it and cannot be duplicated on a traditional phone system. VoIP operations consist of digitizing the sounds from your conversation over the internet, meaning it will not be exposed to interference. VoIP call quality is consistently crystal clear, despite your location. This provides the opportunity for easy and convenient communication with people over international borders, and may have unreliable or no land-line services.

VoIP phone systems can also allow your small business to become much larger without the need of constant upgrading. A VoIP virtual PBX can give your business one single phone number, even if your partners are scattered across the nation or even the globe! Even subtle changes in appearance, such as a more professional seeming PBX system, can have a substantial effect on your client relations.

They can allow you to convert voicemail into text documents for emailing or saving for your archives. The original audio files and the newly converted text files can be stored on an online "cloud" storage site, with available access from anywhere the internet is available.

In times like these, can your small business afford to waste money on outdated traditional analog phone service. Can you risk sacrificing the highly polished and professional appearance offered by VoIP? Now that virtual PBX is available with VoIP phone systems, the answer is a definite NO!

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Why Not Take a Chance on Video Phone Technology?

When I first saw the the video phone in action, I was floored! What caught my initial interest was the fact that it was in "real-time", unlike some computer methods and the clarity of the picture was amazing. You could not only see the person you were speaking to but you could actually make out where they were. For example, I was able to see the background and what color the room was, the furniture in the room and I could even see if they had a television in the room. You are probably asking yourself, this is a wonderful new technology but should you spend the money on this product? Is there really any use for it? Well,I was in the same predicament as you and faced these same questions. I thought about it for a little while and I thought about all the various things I have purchased and realized that I had bought a lot of stuff throughout the years that I do not even use anymore. Haven't you ever cleaned out your room to find old cassette players, Sony Walkman's, etc. that have just been collecting dust? Of course you have, everyone has.

What I realized at that point was that this new VOIP technology would be useful and it wouldn't sit collecting dust! At that moment, I made my decision to not only utilize technology to my advantage but also save myself alot of money by choosing this option that I had and stopped paying the high monthly telephone bills!

Just think of all the things you may have bought and never got a return on your investment and how about the things you buy every day that turns out to be a bad investment like scratch tickets, coffee, beer or cigarettes. These are the kinds of things that just don't last and in the end, does not provide you with any long-term satisfaction. Please keep in mind that not everyone has one yet however, not everyone had a microwave oven or a cell phone either. Why not start a new technology fad and before you know it everyone will be talking on them! You have a choice. What will you choose? Be a part of this extraordinary technology or let it pass you by?

Joseph Huber is a successful business owner and entrepreneur. He has used his knowledge to better the lives of others. He enjoys being able to teach people what he has learned over the years both from his successful businesses and his life experiences. Joseph believes that there is nothing better than sharing information with others and advocates "paying it forward" as much as he can. Joseph currently resides in Massachusetts with his family.

For more information please go to http://www.smartconsumerinfo.com

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Use a Voice Messaging Service to Send Message Blasts Quickly and Affordably!

Have you heard about using online voice messaging options to send message blasts, as a way to get your message out quickly and affordably? With this online service, it is possible to create or import a call list, record your message blast and hit a button to send out a marketing newsflash, announce a special event or just keep in touch with customers. The great thing about this type of voice messaging service is you don't need special equipment, you can have immediate online access and you get a simple to use, cost-effective method to reach your potential customers.

There are some online voice messaging service options that offer an account management tool, phonebook access, storage and more. In fact, you can spend as much or as little as your budget allows. If you consider there are different ways to send message blasts where you can reach 200 customers for around $10, with a personalized message, it is very affordable for start-up companies! Of course, there is a variety of voice messaging marketing options and message blasts are only one facet.

There are some people that like the convenience of these online messaging options because you just need to set up an online account, record your message and create a list of who you want to send your voice messages to. Whether you are sending out sales announcements, invitations to special events or sending out notifications, you can send a personalized message to your potential customers and there are some people that use them to communicate memos to employees and distributors. In fact, you can import contacts or your existing customer phone list, so you can start using this in a matter of minutes. Whether you send a message blast right away or schedule one for later, it is possible to use a multi-facet approach to marketing.

There are other types of voice messaging you can use for marketing your products and services, whether you use interactive that call transfer to live operators or those that give you customer feedback through keypad responses. There is a variety of ways you can put voice messages to work for your company, including the quick and affordable message blasts. There are many potential customers that like the personalized audio messages that are easy to send and it is easier to reach a mass audience or even a couple hundred people in a matter of seconds. For busy marketing executives, the online message blasts are a part of their marketing campaigns that are easy to implement and very affordable.

In today's competitive marketplace, it is important that you use every opportunity to reach your target market base. There are still potential customers that like the sound of a human voice and a personal phone call, even if it is a quick reminder about an upcoming sale or the opportunity to find out about a new product or service. You can quickly and easily put an online voice service to work for you with the affordable and easy options that are now available.

PostCalls offers the most reliable Voice Broadcasting Service. Our Voice Messaging Service company is trusted by thousands of businesses nation-wide. To try our voice messaging services absolutely free, simply visit our website to begin your free trial.

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