Can You Keep Your Number Unlisted with VoIP?
February 8th, 2012 - Posted by mary
Q: When you switch to VoIP, can you keep your number non-published and unlisted ?
A: In general, yes. By default, VoIP providers do not list numbers when they issue them, so if you get a new number from a VoIP company, it will be unlisted unless you specifically add it to directories. With the exception of numbers currently carrying a DSL account, you can move an existing phone number from traditional service to any VoIP service without problems. However, keeping your VoIP number unlisted can be a little bit more complicated when you transfer it from a traditional phone service.
Listing is handled by your original phone company, so if your number is currently unlisted, be sure to tell the company you would like the number to remain unlisted when you port it to your new VoIP service. Most traditional phone providers have an option to remain unlisted when you port out your number, but it is handled on their end, not through the new VoIP provider. If you have questions about your specific number, try contacting your current phone provider and your new VoIP provider to be sure your number will stay private. If your primary concern is marketing phone calls, you might also consider adding your phone number to the national Do Not Call Registry to prevent telemarketers from calling you at home.
Got more questions about VoIP service? Head over to our VoIP FAQ section for a quick overview, or read comprehensive reviews and choose the right provider for your phone service.
Can I Use Multiple Phones with VoIP?
February 7th, 2012 - Posted by mary
Q: I have four phones on the same phone line. Will I be able to keep all four phones with VoIP?
Source: Karolina Kabat on Flickr
A: This depends on how your phones are currently set up. If, like many people, you use a standard cordless phone system where one base phone plugs into a standard phone jack in the wall and the others transmit wirelessly from that base unit, your phones should work exactly the same with a VoIP system once you plug the base unit into your VoIP adapter.
If all four phones currently plug into their own wall jacks, you have a couple of options for multiple phones. If your phones are plugged in in separate rooms, you might want to use wireless phone jacks, also known as portable phone jacks, to connect your phones through the electrical wiring in your house. A main base plugs in to the VoIP adapter, and then individual extender ports for each phone plug into electrical outlets around the house. This can cause some interference or audio issues, but is simpler than some of the other options.
Splitters are another possibility if you don't mind dealing with running wires from room to room. A splitter plugs into the VoIP phone jack and provides multiple phone ports, which you can then use to plug in a number of phones.
Finally, you can use your existing telephone wiring to route your VoIP service throughout your home. This option is best if you live in a single-family house, as redoing the wiring might cause problems for other residents in an apartment or condo building. To do this, you must separate your house's wiring from the phone company's outside system and connect it to the VoIP adapter. This change is reversible. Although you can do the wiring yourself, an electrician can help with the process. Check with your VoIP provider to see if they can recommend an electrician or other professional. VoIP providers may also provide resources to help you do the rewiring yourself. Some VoIP providers advise against rewiring your house because traditional telephone wires carry a charge that can sometimes damage VoIP equipment. If you're thinking about Vonage service, click here to read our blog post on using your existing home wiring with Vonage for more detailed information about rewiring.
If you just need one extra plug, some VoIP providers' adapters have more than one phone port, including one of our top-rated options, VOIPo, which offers an adapter with two phone ports.
Long story short, multiple phones are very doable with VoIP, but you might want to switch to a cordless system, since overall, the simplest solution is definitely to use one main base and a number of cordless handsets rather than to install a splitter, redo home wiring, or use wireless extensions.
Got other questions about VoIP? Compare services head to head with our comprehensive charts for home or business VoIP services. You can also read our FAQs, delve into detailed individual reviews, or take a look at other blog posts answering common VoIP questions.
Can I Use the Same VoIP Line for Voice and Fax Calls?
February 6th, 2012 - Posted by mary
Q: My landline and fax use the same phone line. How will this work with VoIP?
Source: Yortw on flickr
A: If you currently use your phone line for occasional faxes, you can use a VoIP line in exactly the same way. With Vonage, you can just connect your VoIP phone line to your fax machine as you would with a standard landline. Note that just like a regular phone line, if you are using the line to send or receive a fax, you can't make voice calls at the same time. Many services recommend that you get a second, dedicated fax line if you plan to leave your fax machine connected.
Some VoIP companies also offer internet-based fax features. One of our most popular options, Phone.com offers web-based faxing straight from your internet browser. Check out our full review of Phone.com to find out how to get 10% off six months of the company's Home/Residential Phone Service Plus.
If you're interested in adding separate Internet Fax services to your landline or VoIP service, you can also check out our comparisons and detailed reviews of Internet Fax companies, or read this previous post on faxing with a VoIP account.
Need a Virtual Phone Provider? Get a $75 Credit from Grasshopper!
January 31st, 2012 - Posted by polina
Do you have a small business? Virtual phone services allow your clients to call you on a single phone number, and these calls can be forwarded to any number of your choice.
Grasshopper, a particularly feature-filled virtual phone service, is offering an exclusive deal to our readers. Now when you sign up for this service through NextAdvisor, you will get a $75 credit towards your account. Grasshopper allows an unlimited number of extensions and even has fax-receiving capabilities. You can customize each extension and call-forwarding number, organizing your business' phone system no matter how many employees, and different locations, are involved.
No coupon code is necessary, just click on any Grasshopper sign-up link on NextAdvisor to take advantage of this sweet deal. Click here to read the full Grasshopper review.
Can I Use VoIP with a High Speed Wireless Connection?
December 16th, 2011 - Posted by jeff
Q: I have a "high speed" wireless connection via a local satellite Internet provider. It says the speed is 36.0 mbps. Can I use it for VoIP services?
A: The minimum bandwidth that you need for VoIP is usually around 88 kbps, so your connection speed should be enough. (1,000 kbps = 1 mbps) And as long as you have a router, which the VoIP adapter needs to be plugged in to, you should be able to use VoIP services with no problem.
If you have other questions about VoIP, check out our VoIP compare page to compare different VoIP services. If you want speak to someone by phone about VoIP services, Vonage offers NextAdvisor users a toll-free 800 number to speak to a representative. Or check out our top-rated VoIP provider, VoIPo, which has the cheapest domestic calling plans.
You Could Win Cash for the Holidays with the NextAdvisor $500 Giveaway!
December 5th, 2011 - Posted by jeff
Need some extra money for the holiday season? Well, you're in luck. NextAdvisor is giving away cash prizes every week of December! Just go to our Facebook page and click on the NextAdvisor $500 Giveaway, fill out the entry form, and you'll be entered to win. It's our way of saying thank you to our Facebook fans for being a part of NextAdvisor. Click here to enter!
Can I Fax Using VoIP Services?
November 29th, 2011 - Posted by polina
Q: Can faxes be sent and received using a VoIP service?
A: Phone.com, one of our favorite VoIP services, includes built-in support for web-based faxing. With this service, you can get the best of both worlds: cheaper calling plans and the ability to fax straight from your browser. Currently, Phone.com is offering a 10% discount exclusively to NextAdvisor readers, and you can save even more when you sign up for an annual plan. Read more about Phone.com here.
On another note, if you're set with a VoIP service but need more advanced faxing options, looking into the many Internet Fax services on the market may be the perfect option for you. Click here to compare all of our Internet Fax services and get an awesome deal today.
Can I Use my Cellphone with VoIP and Make International Calls?
November 17th, 2011 - Posted by polina
Q: Can I use my cellphone with VoIP? Can I use it to make international calls?
Source: Skype
A: If you are looking to use VoIP services with your mobile phone and forget about international calling problems, Skype Unlimited World and Vonage World Mobile are wide ranging, affordable VoIP services that let you make calls from your iPhone, iPod Touch, BlackBerry, or Windows phone (with Skype).
Skype Unlimited World's $12.99 per month iPhone app allows you to make clear phone calls through WiFi to land lines in over 40 countries. You can also make calls to other mobile phones located in the USA, Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, China, and Canada. In general, we found that the Skype Unlimited World iPhone app had clearer and warmer call quality than Vonage World Mobile.
Vonage World Mobile includes calls to land lines in over 60 countries, and allows calls to mobile phones in the USA, Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Canada, U.S. Virgin Islands, San Marino, Saipan, Puerto Rico, Malaysia, Macau, India, Guam, Brunei, and the Bahamas. Vonage World Mobile lets you make calls through WiFi as well as over 3G cellular (international only). It costs $24.99 per month.
In general, Skype Unlimited World is cheaper with higher call quality. See the full comparison chart and read the reviews here!
Want more affordable virtual calling cellphone options? Virtual Phone services give you a single phone number that you can route to the phones of your choice, for cheap. Compare all of our virtual phone services here!
How Much Is the Router for VoIP? Can I Just Use My Own?
October 27th, 2011 - Posted by jeff
Q: How Much Is the Router for VoIP? Can I Just Use My Own?
A: Luckily, there is no special router that you need to use for VoIP services. Most VoIP services (especially our top services) are compatible with most routers. In addition, services offer online and phone support to help you connect your router to the VoIP network.
In addition to the router, you must have a VoIP adapter to attach to it to. Each service provides its own adapter so that you can use VoIP over your telephone. Most of the top companies, such as Voipo and Vonage, provide the adapter for free. Some, such as PhonePower, will let you “lease” the hardware for free, but it must be returned. Companies such as Phone.com will waive the cancellation free if you return the hardware. If you want to know more about what each company provides, check out our VoIP service reviews.
Is There Any Way to Get all My Phones to Ring at Once with VoIP?
October 21st, 2011 - Posted by polina
Q: I have three hard lines at home, is there any way to get all three of them to ring at once with VoIP?
A: Vonage, one of our top-rated VoIP providers, allows users to attach the included adapter to the central phone in your network of hard lines and all of the phones around the house will ring at the same time. This goes for most all of the VoIP services - if you buy a set of phones that comes with a base unit and additional headsets, plugging the adapter to the base unit will ensure that all of the other headsets will be connected as well.
Another one of our favorites, VOIPo, gives you a free cloned 2nd line included with the Home and Home Office plan.
In general, you can also use a multiple jack extension connector by plugging it into your Analog Telephone Adapter (ATA). By doing this, you can use multiple phones on a single line at the location of your ATA.
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