As Voice over Internet Protocol phone services become more sophisticated and reliable, many people are wondering if it’s worth trading in their landline phones. The simple answer is yes and no. It really all comes down to the VoIP provider selected versus the landline service currently enjoyed.
When a good VoIP service provider is selected, in regards of the quality of call, users will discover very few differences between it and a landline phone. They will, however, find that the advantages can far outweigh and potential or perceived disadvantages.
When a good provider is selected, VoIP users will find themselves treated to these potential advantages:
- Lower overall monthly costs – VoIP users will find they can get a lot of bang for their buck. Most reputable services are offered for costs that are much lower than standard landline services. They may, for example, include unlimited long distance calling and other features at no additional charge.
- Greater calling features – All VoIP providers offer some calling features included into the base price. some of them offer more than others.
- Greater portability – Some VoIP services enable their users to take their “home phones” on the road. While landline phone providers also offer a similar feature, it tends to come at a price.
When you put all together, and take Vonage as an example, you’ll find it incomparable to any landline provider, and the very most of VoIP prooviders, too. Here is what you get with Vonage World package, all included into one monthly fee plus taxes and state fees:
- Unlimited local and long distance calls (U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico).
- Make international calls to 60 countries (landlines), plus to more than 10 when calling international mobile numbers.
- Free Vonage-to-Vonage calls.
- Over 20 great calling features like Caller ID, Call Waiting, Anonymous Call Block, 3-Way-Calling and more.
- Readable voicemail transcriptions sent via text and email.
- Take it with you wherever you have high-speed Internet available.
- Keep your existing phone number.
The above is just the basic what is included into one VoIP phone service. Please note that Vonage is on the better side, and that you’ll hardly find another provider offering all of that.
But, in the cases when you’re about to bundle your Internet based services, you may find other providers better. The examples are AT&T U-verse, Verizon FiOS, or Comcast XFINITY.
Potential VoIP Disadvantages
Unlike landline phones that have been developed and tweaked over the course of decades, VoIP services are relatively new. With this in mind there are some potential problems that can go along with these services. This is especially so in the case of free VoIP providers.
Perhaps the biggest potential pitfall lies in accessing 9-1-1 service. Not all VoIP providers are able to offer this to their customers as readily as they would like. The U.S. government does require all VoIP providers that enable their users to call out to regular phones to provide access to 9-1-1. This means most paid services do have this base covered.
As VoIP services become more sophisticated, users will discover there is very little difference between this type of service and a standard landline. The biggest differences lie in the number of advantages VoIP can deliver for a much lower cost.