Voice over Internet Protocol — VoIP — is one way people are making and receiving telephone calls using a broadband Internet connection rather than a regular phone line. VoIP converts your phone call — actually, the voice signal from your phone — into a digital signal that travels through the Internet to the person you are calling. If you are calling a plain old telephone number, the signal is converted back at the other end. If you’re comfortable with new technology, you may want to learn more about VoIP. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, suggests that it’s smart to do some research on this technology before signing up for it.
VoIP technology is offered by some companies that specialize in VoIP service, some traditional telephone and cable companies, as well as some Internet Service Providers. Most services using VoIP allow you to call anyone with a telephone number — including local, long distance, cellular, and international numbers. Others may allow you to call only people with the same service. In addition, most VoIP services allow you to use a traditional telephone through an adaptor, but others work only over your computer or a special VoIP phone.
If you get VoIP service that allows you to make a call using a phone with an adaptor, you dial the same way you always have. If you get a VoIP service that works directly from your computer, you need to use special software, a microphone, speakers, and a sound card. If your service assigns you a regular phone number, anyone can call you from a regular phone – analog or digital – without any special equipment.
Many VoIP services include unlimited local and long distance calling plans (at least within the United States and Canada) for a fixed price, plus a range of interesting features, like:
• the ability to have more than one phone number, including phone numbers with different area codes. For example, if you live in New York and your kids live in San Francisco, you can have a San Francisco phone number, and their calls to you will be local.
• integrated voicemail and email message systems so you can listen to your voicemail on your computer or your email on your phone.
• with special software and hardware, the ability to take your VoIP system with you if you travel with your computer. That means personal or business calls can be routed to you no matter where you are.
Any decision to sign up for a VoIP service should be based on careful consideration of the facts, and your comfort level with technology. Investigate the companies you are considering for your service. Many Internet search engines can lead you to a wealth of information about consumer experiences with particular providers.
Among the issues to think about are:
Keep your information up-to-date so emergency services can locate you.
But, depending on your area, there are exceptions to this requirement that could leave you without access to 911 call services. Confirm with any VoIP company you’re considering that they provide VoIP 911 call services and ask if there are any limitations on those services.
Equipment and Installation. Installing VoIP service is not as simple as plugging in a telephone. You may have to connect equipment and adjust to a new system. Note that there are different ways to use the technology: An analog terminal adaptor works on your regular phone to enable VoIP calls. Or you can use special Internet telephones, known as IP phones, that look like traditional phones but have all the software and hardware necessary to connect directly to your computer’s router to make or receive calls. If you use VoIP to make computer-to-computer calls, you’ll need special software, a microphone, a sound card, and speakers. If you’re using VoIP and a phone adaptor to make calls, your computer doesn’t have to be turned on as long as your broadband Internet connection is working.
The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters consumer complaints into the Consumer Sentinel Network, a secure online database and investigative tool used by hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.