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Does It Save Me Money?
Yes. PC-to-PC software solutions are usually free because they function much like an Instant Messenger application by connecting you to other users of the software, and never terminate calls beyond the Internet, although they do charge for calls that are made to regular phones.
When you call a regular telephone number, although much of the call still travels over the Internet there remains a connection to the regular telephone network to complete the call at the other end, and since the telephone carriers charge the VoIP Service Providers for this, they have to charge you too.
The good news is that since most of your call still travels across the Internet, these calling rates are either much lower on a per-minute basis, or in the case of some plans are already included with unlimited calling for one flat monthly fee.
EX4U Telecom has a wide range of VoIP and GSM roaming services. Please contact us for further information.
How Good Is The Call Quality?
Technology advances in IP telephony transportation have made Internet calling as good or better than normal PSTN connections. This is mostly true for high speed Broadband connections, whereas dial up services have some way to go before delivering the quality of PSTN calling.
Can I use High Speed Or Dial Up Connections?
We recommend that you only use VoIP services if you have a high speed Broadband Internet connection since the quality of the calls is only as good as your connection speed. Tests of VoIP using dial up services have produced dropped calls, call lagging, and other call quality issues. Everything depends on the termination of your provider, is quality to quality and it is related to price
Does VoIP Replace My Telephone Line?
It can, but we recommend that you keep your telephone service because if you lose power to your computer or your Internet connection goes down you will not be able to make and receive VoIP calls.
It's better to look upon VoIP as a way to reduce your long distance telephone charges as well as utilizing many of the new advanced features that are available through this technology.
What Do I Need To Make It Work?
There are several configurations for VoIP, and all require you to have an account with EX4U Telecom as your VoIP Service Provider (which are sometimes free, read below).
Computer-to-computer. If you only want to make calls from your PC to another PC (these are free regardless of where you are calling including international destinations) then you can download our free software to do this. Add a telephone headset and/or speakers and a microphone and you are ready to go.
Computer-to-phone. These services work just like the PC-to-PC but also allow you to call any number in the world, usually for a per-minute fee that is much lower than traditional calling fees. EX4U Telecom only charges 30/6 seconds in most countries.
Phone-to-phone. You can also get an Analogue Telephone Adapter (ATA) that connects your home phone to your high speed modem and then on to the Internet.
Telephony manufacturers are also producing a whole range of IP-enabled telephone handsets and systems for the home and office now that do away with the need for the additional adapter.
Be Careful! Be sure when you are purchasing either an adapter or an IP-enabled phone that it will work with other Service Providers than the one that you are signing up with in the event that you decide to switch at a later date.
What Advanced Features Does VoIP Offer?
Apart from saving you money, the best reason for using VoIP is the host of new services that are available. These include:
- Add multiple new inbound area codes for your phone, allowing you to create a ‘virtual presence' in other countries or cities, or provide a local calling number to family members.
- Conference call with multiple people on the same call.
- Individual Call Filtering and Blocking. Solves the problem of Caller ID when the inbound call says ‘Unavailable'.
- Call Hunting/Find me. This calls individual numbers that you specify (either one at a time in sequence, or all at the same time) to find you wherever you are.
- Receive voice mail messages to your email inbox or web page.
- Geographic mobility. If you use an Internet Adapter you can take it on trips and use it wherever there is a high speed Internet connection. And many more hosted services.
What Types Of Service Plans Are Available?
EX4U Telecom is offering different combinations of:
- Unlimited Free Calling to other software users anywhere in the world (only for PC software solutions) then lower per-minute fees for calls to normal phones.
- Unlimited Monthly Calling (e.g. within the United States and to Canada or other countries) for a flat monthly fee.
- Included Usage Calling, e.g. 1,000 minutes anywhere in the USA and other countries, for a flat monthly fee or more like the cellular industry plans).
- A lower Monthly Fee plus cost per minute billing.
- Some plans charge an Activation fee, while others do not.
- Some plans make you commit to a fixed contract term but most do not.
What Are The Limitations Of VoIP?
Very few VoIP services presently offer seamless connections to 911 and 411 services.
The quality of your call is only as good as your Internet connection. but for most Broadband high speed Internet connections this is not an issue.
If you have a home alarm system it is advisable to keep your regular phone service in case there is a power failure. You can also purchase a Universal Power Supply (battery backup) if you want your VoIP phone to keep working during power outages. You can also plug your DSL/cable modem, your router, your VoIP adapter, and your cordless phone into the UPS. Do not plug power hogs (anything that generates a lot of heat, like computer monitors and halogen lights) into the UPS, or when the power goes out, the UPS will only last a minute or so.
If you are using a PC software solution alone, your VoIP service will not work if your computer fails or you are rebooting it. VoIP software also shares CPU space with other software that you are running,which sometimes has a noticeable effect on voice quality and can cause ‘call lag'. Switch to hardware-based VoIP services for highest voice quality.
The biggest potential problem for VoIP is the voice equivalent of email spam, or ‘voice-spam'. Since VoIP is also being used for applications like call centers, the potential for voice-spam is profound but still largely unknown.
How Do I Know If I have a VoIP Phone Call?
It will ring like any other call.
Can I Use My Computer While Making/Receiving Calls?
Yes, you can use your computer for all normal activities including browsing the Internet, if you are using a high speed connection.
Does My Computer Need To Be Turned On?
No, but your Internet connection needs to be working. Unless using a softphone or dialer.
Can I Transfer My Telephone Number?
Some service plans allow you to do this.
Can I Fax With VoIP?
Yes, with EX4U Telecom VOIP and if your equipment configuration allows you to. This is also known as Fax Over IP or FOIP.
VoIP Telephone Adapters usually come with at least 2 connections, one for your phone and the other for your fax.
Some problems have been reported with FoIP,mostly to do with the data transfer rate, and in some cases you may have to adjust your fax machine to operate at a slower speed.
Can I Go Wireless With VoIP?
Yes, you can with EX4U Telecom by simply using your Smartphone, Tablet, Palm, Laptop, PC, or any 2G to 5G, WIFI, LAN or WAN enabled device using SIP software. You can switch from your cell phone bills to no bill at all.
Please consult us for further information on your specific VoIP requirements.
EX4U Telecom had been one of the pioneers worldwide to offer WIFI platforms from Hotspots to secure WIFI Wide Area Networks. Read more…
Does the FCC Regulate VoIP?
Historically, the FCC has not regulated the Internet or the services provided over it. On February 12, 2004, the FCC found that an entirely Internet-based VoIP service was an unregulated information service.
On the same day, the FCC began a broader proceeding to examine what its' role should be in this new environment of increased consumer choice and what it can best do to meet its role of safeguarding the public interest.
If you have any questions please contact us. |
