BROADBAND PHONE SERVICE
OVERVIEW
Many broadband providers and specialized companies
are now offering Broadband Phone Service.
Essentially, broadband phone service utilizes
your broadband internet connection to connect
your phone to the outside world - instead
of the traditional phone line. Broadband phone
services use VOIP or Voice Over IP (Internet
Protocol) technology to translate phone conversations
and dialed numbers to secure digital "packets"
that can be sent over the Internet. It does
not matter if the person you are calling has
broadband phone service and people can still
call you using your regular phone number.
The only difference with broadband phone service
is that you are no longer using - and no longer
paying - to use the traditional telephone
network.
PERFORMANCE
Unlike earlier versions of broadband
phone technology which were generally unavailable
to the general public, today's broadband phone
service is cheap and quite reliable. With
typical residential phone bills hovering around
$50.00 to $100.00 (When did they get so high?)
consumers have been eager for a reliable alternative
and it looks like broadband phone service
has finally come of age.
Most of the companies offering
broadband phone service advertise that the
sound quality is "virtually the same"
as a regular phone call. While that statement
is somewhat non-committal it is basically
true. There is almost no difference between
a regular call and a broadband phone call.
Of course, the best way to find out is to
try it. The companies that sell broadband phone service use the service themselves and
a call to their customer service department
will give you a good indication of what to
expect. You can use your high speed connection
to surf or even play games and the broadband phone service does not seem to lose any quality.
Unlike streaming music files or videos, for
example, a simple phone conversation requires
very little "bandwidth" or Internet
usage. Since geographic location has no meaning
on the Internet many providers offer the opportunity
for the consumer to choose any area code for
a local "home" number. If you mostly
make and receive calls to a different city
your broadband phone service provider can
give you a number with that city's area code
for your number - even overseas numbers. Additional
phone numbers can usually be added in other
area codes for a nominal cost.
INSTALLATION
The most common misconception about
broadband phone service is that it uses or
connects to your computer. Although you can
use your computer to access some of the online
service such as account management and voice
e-mail, broadband phone service connections
do not require your computer. When you subscribe
you are sent a small broadband phone adapter
that looks like a modem and connects your
phone to your internet connection. You can
continue to use your regular phone or cordless
phone. If you have more than one phone you
may want to get a technician to install the
broadband phone adapter in a central location
- connected to all phones - or you can order
multiple adapters. You can take the broadband
phone adapter with you and it will act as
your local phone number anywhere there is
a high speed Internet connection. You could
have your adapter plugged into a hotel internet
connection and your family could call you
locally from across the country.
COST
Since the Internet knows no boundaries,
most of the broadband phone companies offer
packages that include local calls and free
north american long distance for $25.00-$35.00.
Calling features are usually included for
this price as is online account management.
For a lower cost of $15.00 to $20.00 per month
you can get a "starter" package
that includes a limited number of minutes.
Since there is no difference between local
and long distance calls any cap on your account
will include local calls as well as long distance.
Additional numbers are usually $3.00 to $5.00
per month. Some providers are now offering
a "Digital Phone Service" - sort
of a hybrid between Voice over IP internet
based telephony and traditional phone service
- for between $40.00 and $50.00 per month.
TIPS
Broadband phone service is still relatively
new technology and the broadband phone companies
involved are eager to get new - and satisfied
- customers. Free trials and free equipment
should be available. If it doesn't work for
you don't be afraid to demand a refund of
monies paid.
Most of the popular calling
features as well as voicemail are usually
included in the monthly broadband phone service
cost. Some broadband phone service providers
also offer internet based features such e-mail
notifications, number blocking and voice e-mail.
Many companies include the required equipment,
but some do not. Be sure to check. There are
generally no contracts, but it is always good
to check this as well.
In some cases, 911 services
may not operate with your broadband phone
service. Be sure to find out and take appropriate
measures. If your Internet connection goes
down, most broadband phone service providers
offer a free forwarding service for incoming
calls - to a cell phone for example. If you
have an alarm system, the alarm company may
need to adjust the programming in order for
it to function. As well, your broadband phone
adapter would need a connection to the alarm
system. This is where a centralized installation
of the broadband phone service adapter is
useful. There are Alarm Monitoring Services
specifically for broadband phone connections
now available. Talk to a Broadband Phone Service
Provider for details. Lastly, unlike traditional
phone service, which stays active during a
power outage, broadband phone service is susceptable
to power outages. This may provide additional
complications regarding 911 and alarm monitoring
services. Be sure to ask potential service
providers about these important issues.
Be sure to evaluate all options
before choosing a Broadband Phone Service
Provider.
