Keep an ear out for HD VoIP

Posted by Caitlin on June 19th, 2008

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The primary selling point for VoIP services is the decreased cost in comparison to traditional phone lines. But as VoIP services become increasingly popular and commonly used, we can look forward to an additional benefit - dramatically improved sound quality. At the moment, high definition VoIP has a bit of a mythical quality, since the technology is still being developed and there is not a great deal of readily available information just yet. Iristel introduced high definition VoIP in Canada on February 1st, 2007, claiming that the difference in quality was comparable to upgrading from an old AM radio to a CD.

Aside from Skype-to-Skype calls, however, HD VoIP is not yet readily available in the U.S. One problem with HD VoIP is the fact that unless both parties have an HD VoIP service, it is unlikely that either caller will notice improved sound quality. But as VoIP becomes more widespread and the technology continues to improve, it seems as though we can look forward to greater clarity in VoIP calls in the future, which is something to keep in mind when considering VoIP services. To learn more about VoIP services, visit our Internet telephone service provider comparison and reviews.

• Reader Question: What kind of Internet connection do I need for VoIP?
• New bill will improve VoIP 911 calling
• 2008 VoIP trend alert - VoIP services let consumers keep traditional phone service too
• T-Mobile launches discount VoIP service with a few big downsides
• Vonage vs. Magic Jack - one reader’s opinion

Prevent annoying or unwanted phone calls and text messages

Posted by Caitlin on June 17th, 2008

We told you how to opt out of receiving junk mail, but telemarketing calls and even m-spam, or text message spam, can be distracting, disruptive and, in the case of text message spam, can even cost you money. David Pogue of the New York Times recently found out how to block cell phone spam, and decided to share his discovery with readers.

If you use AT&T or Verizon you can block all text messages sent from the Internet, which is where nearly all text message spam comes from. If you have AT&T, log in at mymessages.wireless.att.com. Under Preferences, you have the option to block certain texts. If you have Verizon, log in at vtext.com. Go to Text Messaging and then Preferences in order to block texts. Sprint does not offer auto-blocking, but you can block specific phone numbers at sprint.com, under My Online Tools > Communication Tools > Text Messaging > Text Messaging Options > Settings & Preferences. T-Mobile doesn’t offer the option to block messages sent from the Internet, but you can block messages sent by email or block text messages containing certain phrases, at t-mobile.com, under Communication Tools.

In order to prevent telemarketers from calling your home, be sure to sign up for the National Do Not Call Registry. It takes less than 30 seconds to punch in your phone number and email address, and then confirm your email registration. And as of February 2008, telephone numbers places on the National Do Not Call Registry will remain on it permanently.

Various VoIP providers can also help prevent annoying, unwanted calls. Voip.com has a telemarketer blocking function, and Vonage, Lingo, ViaTalk, AT&T CallVantage, VoipYourLife and Packet 8 all have “Do Not Disturb” and “Anonymous Call Block” features that will, respectively, send all incoming calls straight to voicemail during specified hours and block any calls from callers who have deliberately blocked their caller ID. Visit our free online comparisons and reviews to learn more about VoIP services.

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5 tips to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle this Earth day

Posted by Joe on April 22nd, 2008

In honor of Earth day we thought we would post a handful of useful tips related to the various services we review and compare here at NextAdvisor. The great news is that most of these techniques will not only reduce your impact on the environment but are also make your daily life easier.

1) Eliminate junk mail

We have posted previously on the hidden identity theft risk in junk mail, but in honor of earth day, we also wanted to point out that junk mail and other marketing communications you receive in the mail are very bad for the environment. Check out the original post for more tips on eliminating junk mail.

Additionally, we came across a new service today called Catalog Choice which allows you to select which catalogs you would like to receive. The service is free and allows you to opt out from receiving catalogs that you no longer wish to receive while still allowing those you want reach your mailbox.

2) Receive your credit report online

Whether you are ordering your free credit report from AnnualCreditReport.com or from one of the credit report monitoring services we have reviewed and compared make sure you opt for online delivery of your credit report. Not only will this lower the overall carbon footprint of your order because the reports don’t need to be printed or transported by postal mail, but you will also receive immediate access to your credit file information.

3) Go paperless when you have the option

Opt for paperless billing where you can. VoIP services such as voip.com and Vonage offer a paperless billing option and so do other companies such as cell phone providers and credit card companies. Accessing your billing information online is not only more eco-friendly but it is also more convenient.

4) Attend an online college or university

Think of going back to get a better job or just for personal enrichment? Consider an online college or University. We have reviewed and compared dozens of e-learning institutions and found that they are every bit as reputable as their traditional counterparts with the added convenience of being able to attend classes from your home computer. Since you don’t have to commute to and from a physical campus and most of the course information is distributed digital the impact on the environment is greatly reduced.

5) Store your data “in the cloud”

Use an online backup service such as Mozy to store the information on your computer’s hard drive. Online backup services are much more environmentally friendly than the hardware based alternatives because they cut down on the number of home storage devices that have to be produced and shipped all over the globe.

Do you have your own eco-friendly and convenient tips that you would like to share? We would love to hear from you! Just leave a note in the comments below.

• Reader Question: How do I stop junk mail?
• Carbonite agrees- online backup services are good for the environment
• How to eliminate the hidden identity theft risk in junk mail
• 5 reasons why online backup services are superior to offline home storage solutions
• Reader Question: How do I order my free credit report?

Traditional phone service losing ground to VoIP

Posted by Joe on April 15th, 2008

Two of the largest landline service providers in the United States, Verizon and AT&T, are losing ground to VoIP providers according to a recently released USA Telecoms, Wireless and Broadband report. Both traditional phone service companies reported a 10% drop in the number of new landline accounts in 2007.

The report sites the growth of VoIP, such as the services offered by voip.com and Vonage, as a major reason for the decline in traditional phone service lines.

This really isn’t surprising given that VoIP services represent a significant value for most consumers, especially those that make long distance or International calls with any degree of frequency. Our research has shown that most consumers will save hundreds of dollars by switching to VoIP.

Learn more about top ranked VoIP services by visiting our VoIP service provider comparison.

• 2008 VoIP trend alert - VoIP services let consumers keep traditional phone service too
• 3 tips for VoIP 911 calls
• Skimp on your phone service says Redbook editor
• New bill will improve VoIP 911 calling
• Facebook poll shows college students don’t know VoIP

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.

• Reader Question: What kind of Internet connection do I need for VoIP?
• Reader Question: Is Vonage better than my cable company’s phone service?
• Court decision will keep Vonage subscriber fees low
• 3 tips for VoIP 911 calls
• VoIP comes to the iPhone

VoIP subscribers to triple in the United States by 2011

Posted by Joe on December 20th, 2007

As 2007 comes to a close more consumers in the US are using VoIP than ever. eMarketer estimates that more than 16 million US households are currently subscribed to VoIP services and expects that number to triple to more than 45 million subscribers by 2011.

So, why the tremendous growth in number of VoIP subscribers? There are probably several important factors. For one, VoIP has become an established technology thanks to companies like Vonage, our top rated VoIP service provider. Well over 2 million households subscribe to Vonage service in the United States alone, so we are well past the early adopters here.

The availability of cheap and reliable broadband Internet connections also helps the VoIP industry grow since VoIP calls are made through cable or DSL modems. In fact, the same eMarketer report estimates that more than 45% of households with broadband Internet connections will also be subscribed to VoIP by 2011.

Ultimately, the most compelling feature of VoIP service to most consumers is probably the same reason we like it so much- the monthly savings versus traditional phone service providers. We haver been reviewing VoIP services for quite some time now and have found time and again that VoIP service will save most consumers hundreds of dollars per year.

Ben Macklin, senior analyst and author of the eMarketer report, agrees

“Early indications suggest VoIP will be very popular worldwide simply because VoIP calls are cheaper,”

We are big fans of VoIP services like Vonage, voip.com and ooma. With the explosive growth of VoIP in the United States it is a better time than ever to make the switch from traditional phone service. Read our in-depth VoIP service provider reviews and comparisons to learn more.

• Traditional phone service losing ground to VoIP
• Apple OKs voip over wifi for the iPhone
• Facebook poll shows college students don’t know VoIP
• Vonage makes customer support a top priority
• New bill will improve VoIP 911 calling

Take control of your dialtone with ooma

Posted by Joe on December 18th, 2007

We recently reviewed ooma, a new VoIP services that promises to “free your dialtone” by eliminating monthly phone bills, and found that it is extremely feature rich and represents a great value for most consumers (particularly those that make primarily or exclusively calls within the United States). What makes ooma different than other VoIP providers like Vonage or voip.com is that they don’t charge any monthly fees.

Subscribers pay $399 for a ‘hub’ which about the size of a paper back book and looks like a cross between a standard answering machine and an ipod. The hub connects to your broadband Internet connection and a standard telephone. The whole set up takes about 10 minutes and is extremely intuitive.

Once the hub is set up, ooma subscribers can make calls anywhere in the United States for free (International calls can be made for a small per minute fee that varies by country).

The upfront cost of the hub may sound steep, but if you do the math you will quickly see that ooma represents a great long term value. For example, if you were to use the ooma service for two years after purchasing the hub your effective monthly cost would be about $16.60 per month which is a much as 30% less than many other VoIP providers we have reviewed.

ooma also has several unique features, such as the ability “split” a single phone line and make or receive multiple calls at once (which requires an ooma “scout” device), that the rest of the VoIP service providers we have seen simply can’t provide.

Walt Mossberg, Personal Technology Columnist and resident tech guru at the Wall Street Journal, gave ooma a glowing review a few months ago. Walt liked many of the same features, such as the long term savings and the ability to integrate ooma with your existing phone line.
All in all, we really like ooma and highly recommend it. If you want more information on ooma you can read our review or visit their site directly.

• 2008 VoIP trend alert - VoIP services let consumers keep traditional phone service too
• VoIP subscribers to triple in the United States by 2011
• Vonage continues to innovate in 2008 with launch of MyVonage
• T-Mobile launches discount VoIP service with a few big downsides
• 3 tips for VoIP 911 calls