VoIP Services
Frequently Asked Questions about VoIP Services.
What is VoIP?
VoIP (which stands for "Voice over Internet Protocol") is a very simple but extremely valuable service that allows you to make phone calls much more cheaply than through your old phone company. All of our recommended VoIP services replace both your local and long distance services and work with your existing telephone. All the providers that we recommend allow you to make calls exactly as you would with your old phone service. You use the same phone, pick it up and dial just like you always have, whether you are calling your friend next door, around the world, or need to call 911 for an emergency. It sounds the same to both you and the person on the other end. You can also keep your existing phone number.
The biggest difference you'll notice is the price. VoIP companies can provide this service so cheaply because calls are sent through the Internet rather than phone lines. VoIP providers have all the features you would expect, such as call waiting, caller ID and voicemail. The difference is that the providers we work with include all of these features in the cost of your service. VoIP providers also have additional free services that you can't get from the phone company, such as checking your voicemail from your computer anywhere in the world, email notifications when you have a new call or message, or phone numbers with non-local area codes. Click here to view our recommended providers.
Search our blog archives and frequently asked questions for more information about VoIP Services
Recently answered questions about VoIP Services:
Will VoIP work with my security system?
The following post in our Reader Question series is an actual user submitted question. To maintain the integrity of the original question, we do not edit or change reader questions in any way.
Q: I have Cable TV, Cable Internet and Cable Phone service. All three with one cable company. I also have a Home Security [...]
Are there any set-up fees for VoIP.com?
The following post in our Reader Question series is an actual user submitted question. To maintain the integrity of the original question, we do not edit or change reader questions in any way.
Q: Are there any set up fees [for VoIP.com] your website says no start up fees but when you look futher it [...]
What is a V-Portal adapter? Or is it simply the thing that makes the phone work?
The following post in our Reader Question series is an actual user submitted question. To maintain the integrity of the original question, we do not edit or change reader questions in any way.
Q: What is a V-Portal adapter? Or is it simply the thing that makes the phone work?
A: A V-Portal adapter is [...]
Will Vonage go out when the power goes?
The following post in our Reader Question series is an actual user submitted question. To maintain the integrity of the original question, we do not edit or change reader questions in any way.
Q: Is Vonage a digital phone service that will go out when the power goes or is it a true land line?
A: Vonage [...]
Why haven't you reviewed Skype?
The following post in our Reader Question series is an actual user submitted question. To maintain the integrity of the original question, we do not edit or change reader questions in any way.
Q: I'm considering VoIP again. Went round the block with SunRocket a couple of years ago and got BURNED! I appreciate your [...]
Are you able to provide a comparison of services with the Magic Jack?
The following post in our Reader Question series is an actual user submitted question. To maintain the integrity of the original question, we do not edit or change reader questions in any way.
Q: Are you able to provide a comparison of services with the Magic Jack?
A: We are currently working on a review [...]
Does Vonage offer cell service?
The following post in our Reader Question series is an actual user submitted question. To maintain the integrity of the original question, we do not edit or change reader questions in any way.
Q: Does Vonage offer cell service?
A: No. Vonage does not offer cellular phone service. Vonage is a provider of voice [...]
How do I improve the quality of my VoIP service?
The following post in our Reader Question series is an actual user submitted question. To maintain the integrity of the original question, we do not edit or change reader questions in any way.
Q: I am on packet 8 phone service, and it is terrible static and noise, and echo. Do you need a phone for [...]
Why was ooma not reviewed?
The following post in our Reader Question series is an actual user submitted question. To maintain the integrity of the original question, we do not edit or change reader questions in any way.
Q: In reviewing the Voip services listed I see OOMA is not included. Can you tell my why?
A: We reviewed the ooma service [...]
Can you use VoIP service with a wireless Internet connection?
The following post in our Reader Question series is an actual user submitted question. To maintain the integrity of the original question, we do not edit or change reader questions in any way.
Q: Can you use VoIP services if use wireless internet connection such as cricket for example?
A: The speed of your broadband Internet connection [...]
