How To Choose Your VoIP Service Provider

Many people are opting to go with VoIP-based phone services as it is widely thought that it helps reduce your phone bills. This is not necessarily true all the time. Aside from that, note also that there is more to VoIP than just reduced expenses.

First check out whether using VoIP phone services will actually reduce your phone bills.

When you make long distance and international calls, the calls go through the local telephone company and then through the long distance provider who charges a connection fee and per minute charge. When you use a VoIP-based service, the calls go over the internet instead of the long distance provider. By avoiding the long distance telephone company, the long distance charges are not incurred. Note, however, that you incur the cost of the high-speed internet connection, which you require for the VoIP-based phone service.

First check if your long distance and international calls are high enough to justify making the switch.

Once you decide that it is cost effective to opt for a VoIP-based solution, you will find that there are so many VoIP service providers that it will be quite a challenge to decide which one to go with.

Here is a step-by-step approach to assist in selecting the VoIP service provider best suited for your needs including price consideration. Do not choose one just because of its low price. At the same time, the highest price does not mean it is the best for your needs.

Step 1: Decide On The Features You Need
Decide first on the features that you need. Normally, certain basic features are included in the base package. Some features are at an extra charge. Take note of these when considering the price.

Caller ID feature enables the phone number of the caller to be displayed, so you will know who is calling before you decide to pick up the call.

If you are on the phone and another call comes in, the Call Waiting feature alerts you with a special tone. You can then decide whether to take the call or let it go to Voicemail.

Voicemail allows callers to leave messages for you if you do not take the call or are engaged on the line.

With Call Forwarding, calls can be automatically forwarded to another number or in some cases to the Voicemail.

The 3-Way Calling feature allows you to talk to two other parties at the same time.

Distinctive Ringing assigns distinct ring tones to specific numbers.

You can use the Call Blocking feature to block calls from numbers that you do not want to receive calls.

Most service providers offer Virtual Numbers. These are additional phone numbers in various locations. If you receive a lot of calls from certain geographic locations, make sure that the service provider can provide local phone numbers for these locations. Calls to you from these locations can then be made at the cost of a local call.

If you want to keep your existing phone number, check with your telephone company and the VoIP service provider to make sure you can keep your old number. If the service provider offers local phone numbers in your area, there is a chance that you can keep your old phone number, but there is no guarantee.

If you need to use the phone for 911 emergency calls, make sure that this feature is available as some providers do not provide this.

There are many other available features that you should also check if you require any of them.

Step 2: Make A List Of Service Providers And Plans
The VoIP service providers offer many different plans. Most fall into two categories: Unlimited and Limited Package plans.

Unlimited plans give you no limits to the amount of calls you make within a defined geographic location, for example Canada and USA. For a flat monthly fee, you will be able to make an unlimited number of calls within the geographic area defined in the plan. The unlimited plans are slightly more expensive, but they are worth it if you make a lot of long distance calls.

Limited Package plans offer a certain number of minutes of calls every month. Once this time is used up, you will be charged for the calls.

You will need to weigh your options when deciding which plan to take.

For international calls, you need to research the international pricing for each service provider. Note also that rates are different for calling mobile phones.

Step 3: Match Features To The Short-listed Plans
Match the features against the plans. If any of the plans do not have certain features that you need, remove them from your list.

Some of the features you need will be at an extra charge. Total up all these extras to the base plan charges to get the actual price.

Besides the monthly fee, also check the activation fee, equipment costs, any shipping and handling costs, and if there is any cancellation charge.

Step 4: Check Call Quality
According to independent surveys, most of the established VoIP carriers are about the same in terms of voice quality. None stand out from the rest.

However, you could refer to some web sites to check the user ratings and the reviews for the different service providers.

Step 5: Compare Prices
Now that you have a list that is trimmed down, look at the prices inclusive of the chargeable features, activation fee, equipment costs and shipping and handling charges.

Some service providers offer incentives. Some examples are free phones, free analog telephone adapters and free service for certain number of months.

There are also promotion coupons and discount codes. Just do a search in the internet for your selected service provider plus the phrase “coupon code” to check if any are available.

Some may offer a no-risk trial for a defined period, which is typically a month but could be shorter. In the event you may decide to cancel, a no-risk trial will avoid costs to you. Check out the terms carefully as sometimes there are hidden costs.

Step 6: Subscribe To Your Selected Plan
Once you have decided on a plan with all the features you need at the best price, then subscribe to the plan.

Step 7: Check It Out
As soon as the set up is done, go through all the features and ensure that everything is working as it should.

If you have any problems, call customer support and check out their customer service as well.

Step 8: Decide to Continue or Discontinue
At this point, if you are satisfied with the service, then continue with the service provider.

If not, cancel the service. If there is a no-risk trial period, then try to do your checking within the trial period so that you do not incur any costs if you decide to cancel. You should get no surprises at this point, as you would have checked out on what cancellation involves when you did the evaluation.

Resources:
Doing the evaluation by checking out each of the service providers and plans can be quite tedious.

Listed below are some web sites that will make this easier:
1. www.ordervoip.com
2. voipreview.tucows.com
3. www.compare-voip.net
4. www.whichvoip.com

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