Reader Question: Does my computer need to be on for VoIP services to work?

Posted by Joe on April 11th, 2008

This is a post in our "Reader Questions" series where we publish actual question from our community. Ask your own question by visiting our contact form.

Q: Does my computer have to be on and running for internet telephone service to work?

A: The simple answer is no, your computer does not need to be on in order to make calls through Internet telephone services such as voip.com or Vonage.

Internet telephone services, also called VoIP, route telephone calls through the Internet using your high-speed internet connection, such as cable, DSL or satellite. Once you sign up you will receive a package from your new VoIP service provider, even the most technology-challenged can get the service set up in just a few minutes.

All the VoIP providers we work with will provide you with any equipment you might need, which is usually just a simple phone adapter that you connect to your broadband modem or router. Then you plug your existing phone into the adapter, and you are ready to go.

To learn more visit our comparison of VoIP service providers.

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