Frequently Asked Questions about 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.
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Recently answered questions about VoIP:
Does Vonage require high speed internet to work?
The following is an actual reader submitted question:
Q. Do you need to have high speed internet for Vonage to work? Can you buy high speed internet from Vonage?
A. Yes, you do need high speed internet in order for Vonage to function. Vonage uses VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) technology which requires a high [...]
Save money when you travel with Vonage World
The following post in our Reader Question series is an actual user submitted question:
Q: I live in Florida for 6 months of the year and in Canada for the other 6 months. Can I take VoIP with me and use it wherever I go?
A: The nice thing about VoIP services is that they are [...]
Will VoIP work with a home security system?
The following post in our Reader Question series is an actual user submitted question:
Q: I currently subscribe to Comcast for phone, cable and internet and have a land line with Verizon because of my home security system. If I used Vonage to replace my land line service would it work effectively with my [...]
Do you have VoIP service in Vietnam?
The following post in our Reader Question series is an actual user submitted question:
Q: Do you have VoIP service in Vietnam?
A: All the VoIP services that we review are sold in the United States or Canada only. However VoIP services are portable and can be used from any broadband connection around the world. For instance, [...]
Can I take VoIP service with me?
The following post in our Reader Question series is an actual user submitted question.
Q: I live in Florida for 6 months, and go home to Canada for 6 months. Can I take VoIP service with me?
A: Yes, you can. Once you sign up and have the equipment you can take it anywhere (anywhere you have [...]
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 [...]
