How You Can Make Cheaper Calls Abroad Using VoIP (Voice Over IP)

By | July 3, 2011 | Business

VoIP, or Voice over Internet Protocol, has revolutionised the way we make international calls. Rather than relying on the traditional landline system, VoIP incorporates the very latest cutting edge technology, broadband Internet connections and the simple concept of marrying up this high-end tech to your telephony needs. And if you call abroad on a regular basis, it could save you a fortune on your monthly phone bill.

How VoIP works

VoIP first appeared around 15 years ago, as the development of more stable Internet connections made it possible to send audio data ‘packets’ from one computer to another using the existing Internet connection. But there were teething problems. The poor standard of microphones, speakers and sound cards that were inherent in nearly all home PCs of the time meant that voice clarity was often poor and unstable connections meant that conversations could be unexpectedly cut off in mid sentence.

Fast forward 15 years and we now have much faster broadband speeds, thanks to the development of fibre optics and far better technology. Now, you don’t even need a PC to make a VoIP call. VoIP providers such as Vonage, one of the world’s largest VoIP providers, often include ‘hardware’ such as routers and phone handsets specifically designed to make VoIP calls. If you don’t want to replace your existing handset, there are even adapters that will convert a standard handset into a VoIP phone for very little cost.

What does VoIP mean for me?

Voice over IP is ideal if you make frequent calls abroad. Whether those calls are to speak to family, friends or even business associates, VoIP call plans allow callers to ‘bundle’ specific locations into their package and make cheap calls to selected destinations. So if you have family or business contacts in India, for example, you can develop a flexible package that allows you to make unlimited free calls to numbers in this region, as well as cheaper calls to all other domestic and international numbers. And the voice clarity is as good as it would be if you were dialling a local number.

To take advantage of VoIP for cheaper calls, the first thing to do is make sure you have a broadband connection that runs at a speed that will be able to support VoIP. By talking to a VoIP provider, they will be able to confirm that your broadband connection is able to support Voice over IP connections. It is then a matter of selecting a call plan that suits your call requirements. Call plans for VoIP are flexible, allowing customers to choose particular regions and ‘bundle’ them into a package that offers cheaper calls to these destinations. By either replacing your existing handset with a VoIP set or by adapting your handset to take and make VoIP calls, you are then ready to start saving money on all your calls abroad.

Voice over IP systems work for both domestic and business users, and can save you a considerable amount of money on your telephony bills every year. For business users, it also shows your international clients that you are serious about doing business on the global stage, helping your business to grow by using modern technology.

Author Bio: Costas Kariolis – Online Marketing Manager of Vonage UK. Vonage are leading VoIP ( Voice over IP) providers for home & Kamagra jelly small business users. Offering cheap and unlimited free VoIP calls to landlines and mobiles via an internet phone service for a set monthly fee.

Category: Business
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