The VoIP Service
Provider
The VoIP Service Provider: Residential VoIP
Solutions for the Consumer - part 2
Continued
Telco's as VoIP Providers
Just as deregulation and the advent of cellular
technology in the past, VoIP is poised to
revolutionize the Telecommunications Industry. And
the large telephone companies, even the cellular
phone companies are entering this new era kicking
and screaming.
Telco's like AT&T, the regional Bells and others
are happy to provide broadband internet access
through DSL, but very few are willing to unbundle
the internet service from their conventional
telephone services. They could do it
technologically, and a few local phone companies
are offering DSL on the "local loop", without the
wire with the dial tone. The fact is, having a
broadband connection that requires you to also buy
a conventional telephone connection pretty much
defeats the purpose, thus making VoIP
through DSL impractical for most people.
That said, the Telco's see the writing on the wall
and are slowly beginning to implement Voice over
IP telephony. AT&T and Quest Communications offer
residential VoIP solutions starting around $25.00
and $30.00 respectively, just slightly higher than
a pure VoIP service provider. All of the
basic features such as call forwarding, speed
dialing, and 3-way calling are included, and
premium services like virtual phone numbers,
conference calling, and call filtering can be had
for an additional charge. International rates seem
to be somewhat higher than pure play rates, though
only by pennies.
VoIP and Cable Companies
If anyone is in a position to win the
Telecommunication wars, it's the cable companies.
Massive consolidation in the cable industry has
led to huge privately owned networks that in many
cases make it unnecessary to route calls over the
public Internet. Quality of Service issues can be
handled in house, and after all, companies like
Cisco Systems pretty much built the Internet and
are largely responsible for the development of
Voice over IP Telephony.
Cable companies as VoIP service providers
have the ability to bundle voice with high speed
data and digital cable TV, and are even now
running introductory offers of all three for 99.00
a month in some markets. But be careful,
introductory offers end and VoIP plans with the
cable companies are some of the most expensive to
be had.
While VoIP service providers like Comcast
and Time Warner generally receive good reviews for
sound quality, monthly calling plans cost $40.00
and $45.00 respectively. Not bad when looking at a
$70.00 phone bill from Bell South, but over twice
as much as a pure-play VoIP service provider. No
doubt, a good reliable broadband connection
through a cable modem is the ideal VoIP solution
(wireless notwithstanding), but you don't have to
use your cable company for VoIP.
In the end, it all depends on what’s important to
you. If all you need is to call a friend in China
on the same network, then a peer to peer VoIP
service provider is for you. If you live in an
area where it's offered, a telecom VoIP
solution promises lower bills than their
conventional connections, provided you can drop
the land line.
For those that have cable modems, the choice of
VoIP service providers is vast. For the monthly
cost of another broadband connection, cable
companies will come out to install the equipment
and rewire every jack in your house. And they are
just a service call away. Alternatively, the pure
play VoIP providers offer the lowest rates
around, and the quality is usually just as good.
Just remember, it's all in the pipe. Calls will be
as clear as your VoIP service providers' network
is uncongested. Click here to test your broadband
"pipe" for VoIP suitability.
Author Michael Talbert is a certified systems
engineer and web site designer. More information
on VoIP Service Providers Plans and Services, or
visit the
website.
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