Phone Over IP - How to Use 'VoIP' on Your Computer and Mobile Phones

'VoIP' (voice over internet protocol) services are known for their lower rates compared to standard phone services, and the internet commerce of useful features that they provide with their service plans. One way of using 'VoIP' service is to Internal Dsl Modem to your computer. As a 'VoIP' company 'Skype' offers free downloadable software and good service options. Some of the benefits, drawbacks that i could find during my online research and ways you can use 'Skype' arementioned below.

Features

Availability: The software availability for different applications is great.It works with Windows, Mac, Linux, 'Wi-Fi' phones, cordless phones, iPhones, mobiles.

Call Features: You can call your family, friends or business associates who are on the'Skype' network for free high speed internet availability any time of the day. Similarly, it will cost you nothing to make a video call to someone who shares the same network.

Calling Rates: You can use10,000 minutes / month to call within U.S and Canada at 2.95$ / month or specify a country and call there at 5.95$/ month. There is a worldwide calling package available as well.

Voice mail: With this feature you can read your messages from anywhere in the world, store and listen later, personalize greeting messages.

Forward Calls: You can receive your calls when you are offline and direct incoming calls to ring on your mobile or phone. If your friend is offline Tmnet Speedometer has activated call forwarding you can reach them when they are away from their computer.

Text Messages: You can show your mobile number on the text messages sent through the network.

Your Personal Online Number: This feature is great if you have friends and family who do not use the same network. They can call your from their land-line and mobile and only pay their standard call rates. For example, your father lives in Auckland and you are internet.org to Melbourne. You can get an actual that is connected to the network. So, when your father calls you he only pays for the standard call charges.

Note: You can use 'Skype' with your in-built computermike and speakers, but a headsetwill give much better voice quality.

Drawbacks

You will have tobuy a stand-alone phone if you do not want to keep your PC on at all times to receive calls. The software works with 'Belkin Wi-Fi' expect for hotspots that require Web authentication such as at 'Starbucks'. 'iPhone' users can use the'Skype' service only at'Wi-Fi' hot spots'iPhone'users cannot use the 'Skype' service on high-speed 3G wireless network of 'AT&T'. 911 service is not available so you will have to use another service for it. Customer support is not a strong point of'Skype' and itdoes not allow the transferring of your existing number but you can get a new number in your area code if you want (it may take a couple of tries).

Skype is a very low cost 'VoIP' service and if you can get other people to join its network then you can call them for free. See the fair usage policy on the Skype website for calling details. Learn more about Skype The author reviews and writes about different communication devices and computer software in his articles.