For a business that is fair starting out and has a limited budget, an Internet-based phone system will save money, provide maximum flexibility and make a great first impression on customers. In the past, businesses that have wanted a sophisticated phone system have had to spend thousands of dollars to purchase and install hardware, only to be locked into equipment that snappy becomes obsolete. By using an Internet-based phone system (sometimes called a virtual pbx) the business owner can be up and running within minutes for very little upfront cost, and will always have the most up-to-date technology at his or her disposal.
There are many companies that offer Internet-hosted phone systems. In choosing one, you will want to consider the features offered, any set-up charges (which are typically less than $100), the monthly account charge, and any charges for calls made and received. If you already have a phone number, you will want to check if it can be ‘ported’, or transferred to the new provider. Most companies offer both toll-free numbers and local phone, so if you are getting a new number, you’ll need to choose. You may also want to check if you will own the number, which will allow you to transfer to a different provider in the future.
The central feature of a hosted phone system is the auto attendant. When callers dial your number, the auto attendant will answer the call and present a list of extensions and other options. In addition to listing available extensions, many auto attendants include dial-by-name capability. Once the caller chooses an extension, the auto attendant will either send the caller directly to voice mail or else ring one or more physical numbers for a set amount of time before sending unanswered calls to swear mail. It is up to you to program the attendant to follow the sequence of actions you wish, and this can vary by extension, time of day, and day of the week. The sincere phone can be located anywhere – in your office, across town, or in another county.
Although a hosted phone system can be set up using standard phone lines, the most flexibility and cost savings are achieved when you use the system with VoIP phone lines (calls are transmitted via the Internet), and IP phones designed to plug directly into your local area network. While this will increase your initial cost, it is well worth the investment.
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Filed under Asterisk Voip Business Solutions by on Mar 15th, 2011. Comment. 
A VOIP phone is actually the acronym for Voice Over IP (Internet Protocol). What this means is that the phone will function over the internet and is assigned a IP address, rather than the traditional analog system that many companies and people unexcited use on a daily basis.
These VOIP phone systems are quickly becoming more and more popular, advertised on TV and more you may be intelligent as to what they are. The phones are all assigned a IP address and generally function over a existing high speed internet connection. If you do not have high speed internet and are still using dial up this type of system may not be honorable for your household or business.
VOIP phone systems are relatively easy to setup as you can plug in to your existing internet connection and some very simple steps have a phone system up and operational. They use Ethernet connections instead of analog phone lines, Ethernet is the same type of connection that your computer uses which is a RJ-45 type connector and jack. In most cases you will not have to run anything on your PC to be able to expend the VOIP phone, however there are some programs out there that will help you manage them. Giving you the ability to have multiple extensions for your line and in some cases up to 100 handsets that are ready to be used.
The biggest advantage to using a VOIP phone is the cost, it is very cheap compared to analog services and unlimited long distance is almost always included. Calling outside the United States is also a lot cheaper than using standard phone services. When you purchase the system you will sometimes own a set of IP addresses that are dilapidated exclusively for your phones, giving you a lot of flexibility to setting up and you can even put computers on these IP addresses at no extra cost, if you do this however you will have to contact your provider to make sure that the IP you are going to set the PC up on will be configured for Data and not Voice.
Your VOIP system will be managed by a server that is owned by the service provider and you have a lot of flexible features that you would otherwise not with a analog system, for example you can create backups and more of your voice mails and other and other items so that your data will not be lost. You can also setup filters with some providers so that you will be able to send certain phone numbers that call you to different narrate mails. This can be a very good feature if you are running a business from your home, giving you the ability to send the wife or husband and kids to one voice mail setup and any other phone calls to a more professional setup and sounding recording.
These systems will give business owners as well as others some great options for setting up their phone systems, and it can also be a broad way to help cut down costs as well. Especially since you can run 100 phone handsets from one internet connection. In cost comparison if you had 100 analog phone lines without extensions this could quickly urge you into thousands of dollars a month for phone service. Keep in mind however that if you have a slow internet connection or older infrastructure for your network there can be complications as to the quality of your voice services. You may even have to revamp you infrastructure to meet the needs of your new VOIP service, but with the ultimately lower costs you will quickly make up for the loss.
Federal Communications Commission
Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP)
http://www.fcc.gov/
Federal Communications Commission
Voice-Over-Internet Protocol
http://www.fcc.gov/
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Filed under Asterisk Voip Business Solutions by on Jan 8th, 2011. Comment.
At home, you depend on your cell phone for business, socializing and emergencies. Having your cell phone with you when you travel abroad can be convenient, gives you the comfort of being connected, and may even be a requirement for work.
However, you’ve experienced the exorbitant roaming charges just to make calls from another plot, never mind another country, so how can you most effectively manage your cell phone when you travel abroad?
Technology
You first need to look at the technology considerations before deciding which options are available to you.
Cell phone standards around the world are not yet standardized. Simply put, the majority of North American cell phones systems use CDMA (“Code Division”) or TDMA (“Time Division”), and these are not compatible with the GSM (“Global Services for Mobile Communications”) technology used in most of the rest of the world. The second consideration in frequency: your North American cell phones may utilize GSM, but still may not work seamlessly abroad unless it operates in the right frequency. For example, cell phone networks in Europe, Asia, Australia and Brazil employ 900 and 1800 MHz frequencies; North America uses 850 and 1900 MHz. Even if you have a tri-band GSM phone using the 850, 1800 and 1900 MHz frequencies, it will not be reliable elsewhere because it is missing the 900 MHz frequency.
Tip: If you are a frequent traveler who intends to use your phone globally, buy a quad-band “world” phone which supports all four GSM bands (850/900/1800/1900 MHz); you will be able to use it practically anywhere in the world where there is cell phone service.
Roam with Your Phone and Number
If convenience is your number one priority, and you have a world phone, take your cell phone with you when you travel. The biggest advantage is that anyone at home can call you using your existing number. Plus, you will still have your voicemail service and the contact information you programmed into your phone.
The major disadvantage of this option is cost. Not only will you pay roaming surcharges for your outgoing calls, but your carrier will also tack these onto your incoming calls and calls to pickup voicemail messages. These surcharges (which are in addition to the regular airtime charge) can add up very quickly of you don’t control your usage. Some major providers do provide online roaming maps with prices, so you can get some idea of what your costs will be, but you will see exactly what you are paying only when you receive your next cell phone bill.
Tip: Some cell phone carriers now let you access your voicemail online for free – check to recognize if this is an option as you will save a bit of money if you receive a lot of messages.
Use Your Phone with a Local Prepaid Service
As a non-resident, generally you will not be allowed to sign a contract with a foreign carrier for the most preferred rates. Instead, bring your passport to a retailer (the passport may be required) and sign up for a prepaid fable (also known as “pay as you go”). With this option, you will hold a new SIM (“Subscriber Identity Module”) card programmed for that country for about $40, and insert it in your phone. The SIM will give you a new, local phone number. You will prepay for time by purchasing a voucher (usually a card or cash register receipt with a PIN) in local currency. The cost of your outgoing calls is deducted from the balance on your account and you will pay local rates, which are usually around 25 cents per minute for local calls but more for international. Making and receiving in-country calls is therefore easy and relatively inexpensive, and incoming calls – even if the call is from support home – and calls to check your record balance will be free. When the balance on your account gets low, top it up by buying another voucher at the SIM provider’s store, a street kiosk or a tobacco store.
For this strategy, your phone must be technologically compatible and “unlocked,” meaning it will allow you to switch out SIM cards. Most phones in North America are locked; if yours is, borrow an unlocked world phone from someone you know, or buy a basic unlocked phone in your destination country at the same retailer where you lift your SIM. Before you leave the store, ask the salesperson to install the SIM, configure your phone, indicate you your phone’s PIN, and write down the number to call to get your balance (most systems will give you an option for assistance in English).
One downside is that you will need to let everyone know what your recent, local phone number is, and your callers will be charged for overseas rates when they try to reach you. Most cell phone services at home will not allow you to forward calls overseas, so if you don’t want your callers to deal with the hassle and cost, you can status up an account with someone like TollFreeForwarding.com, who will give you a U.S. toll-free number that will forward incoming calls to your international number. The price for this service for Western Europe, as an example, is about $10 a month may include some free incoming talk time.
Some other costs: As your contact information resides on your SIM, you will lose this with a new one. Also, if you are visiting several countries, you will end up paying roaming surcharges in the other places you visit. Finally, if you run out of time on your account when you are in another country, you will not be able to top up your balance – this must be done in the country where you buy your SIM. You could simply purchase a local SIM card in each country, but then you will need to hold track of a different incoming phone number for each. If you fade regularly to many different regions around the world, you could instead buy an international SIM card that can be used in many countries; these are available from online companies such as Telestial, MAXroam or SIM4travel.
Buy an International Cell Phone
If you are lucky enough to have a vacation home in another country, or if you are a student planning a semester abroad, you may be able to rob a local phone with a domestic calling notion.
The plans in various countries can be very different, so construct sure you look at your options, probably online, before leaving home. The only downside of this option is that if you make a lot of calls home, you may use your calling voucher time quite quickly. Try to have the folks from home call you on their land lines as they will certainly have better rates than the other way around.
Tip: You may see some “street” or “no name” deals, but don’t be tempted – buy your phone and service at a store that is licensed to sell the locally well-known brands.
Rent a Phone
Even if your phone is a world phone, renting a world phone may be a good option if you travel only once every couple of years, for less than a week at a time, and don`t need to withhold your home country cell phone number with you. Renting a phone can also be a great alternative to making calls from your hotel room, and if you have not planned ahead it may be your best option.
Many international airports and some car rental companies rent cell phones. You can also rep companies online that will rent you a world phone at home. The handset rental rates may be reasonable, or even free, but beware of the per-minute charges for incoming and outgoing calls; you won’t know your actual cost until the charge is posted o your credit card. As well, some rental companies may impose a minimum charge per day in minutes or currency; if you intend to use the phone for emergencies only, you may still have a large bill whether or not you use the phone.
Tip: replacing a lost rental phone can be very expensive; consider buying rental insurance at an additional cost.
VoIP (“Voice over Internet Protocol”) Service
Services such as Skype will let you make calls with your internet connection using a downloadable application (“app”) on your world phone, or even on your laptop. Skype users can make and receive free voice or video calls with other users, and can make calls to landlines and cell phones at very favorable rates.
To avoid exorbitant charges, you will need an international data thought for you world phone. If you use your laptop instead, create sure that your internet connection is strong and reliable – something you cannot depend upon in some areas.
Vonage provides a different service: some subscribers can download “Vonage Companion,” which will enable your laptop to work like a phone. You can make and receive calls to your Vonage number at no charge, depending upon the plan you’re on.
Do You Really Need Your Cell Phone?
If you can take a smash from using a cell phone altogether, one of the easiest and cheapest ways to make calls overseas is with a phone card, which you can buy at most kiosks and convenience-type stores in other countries. Honest dial a local access number, enter the PIN on the card, and dial the number you are calling. You won’t have to carry around pockets full of change and can avoid collect, operator-assisted and third-party surcharges. Additionally, as rates are very clear so you know what your cost will be. But beware of using your phone card from your hotel room as you could destroy up being charged twice for the same call: once for using the hotel phone and once for using the phone card. Use a public phone instead.
As technology begins to converge and options become simpler, making your choice should become easier. If you travel abroad regularly, keep on top of the changes and make your choices only when you feel that you have enough information to that you won’t get stuck with an surprisingly outrageous bill at the end of your mosey.
Sources:
“International Cell Phone Guide.” The Independent Traveler, Inc.
“Using a Cell Phone Overseas.” Studyabroad.com
Taub, Eric. “Guidelines for Using a Cell Phone Abroad.” The New York Times Company.
“International Cell Phones, World Phones, SIM Cards, Satellite Phones.” Telestial, Inc.
Kenny, Pauline. “Slow Travel – Cell Phones in Europe, SIM Cards, Italy, France, Renting, Buying Cell Phones.” Slowtrav.com
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Filed under Asterisk Voip Business Solutions by on Nov 24th, 2010. Comment.
Communicating with friends, loved ones, business clients and anyone who will pick up the phone and listen to you shouldn’t be difficult or expensive. How many times have you opened your phone bill and seen charges that you have no idea where they came from or what they mean? After my telephone company debited my checking account twice, took 4 months to repay me, “accidentally” interrupted my DSL connection, as well as added a service without my consent, I was seriously looking for alternative ways to avoid dealing with a used telephone company and service.
Some of my friends have started using their cell phone service as their regular telephone service, but I didn’t feel like maneuvering the ins and outs of roll-over minutes, peak hours and charging the battery. So, when I heard of a plot to avoid the tight grip of mature phone companies, I investigated further. A cheaper way to place phone calls can be accomplished through VoIP technology.
How Does a VoIP Phone Service Work?
VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol, which involves the transfer of data across the Internet. VoIP systems take analog signals (such as the voice) and turn them into digital data that travels throughout the World Wide Web. When switching to this digital land of communication, a wealth of possibilities can be explored. Some of the many actions made possible through VoIP systems include the transfer of voicemails as email attachments, which makes message retrieval possible from any computer.
What You Need For VoIP Service
An Internet connection that can come speeds of up to 90 Kbps (kilobytes per second) is needed to switch to VoIP service. For those of you who are wondering, there are 8 kilobits in 1 kilobyte. Since dial-up is unable to reach the speeds offered through broadband Internet, you will need to receive your Internet connection through cable or DSL (Digital Subscriber Line).
VoIP Phone Service: The Perks
· Cheaper monthly phone bills
· Don’t have to pay for extra features, such as call waiting, 3-way calling and call-forwarding
· VoIP phones are portable and can receive/place calls from any worldwide high-speed Internet connection
· Check your voicemail from any computer
· Up to 75% savings on local, long-distance and international calling (depending on service plan)
· No more paying government taxes or surcharges
Yes, There Are a Few Disadvantages
Let’s say you’re in a snowstorm and the power lines are out. Just as with a cordless phone, which functions through the use of electricity, your VoIP will also be affected in the same way. Since your phone service is connected through the Internet, when the Internet is interrupted, so is your VoIP service. Additional details to keep in mind before switching to a VoIP phone is that some services do not offer access to directory assistance or 911 emergency access. Before choosing a VoIP service view, these are some of the things you may want to survey into.
VoIP Phone Service: The Cost
VoIP subscription services require the purchase of a service belief from a VoIP provider. Some companies have been known to offer unlimited yearly local and long-distance phone service for less than $200. The total cost to consume VoIP technology depends on the way you wish to receive and place your calls. This will decide the necessary accessories you will need, which may include:
1) Broadband Internet (Cable or DSL) Subscription
2) An adapter to connect your already existing telephone to VoIP services
3) VoIP headsets and handsets with USB connection
4) Software that turns your computer into a telephone (with the use of speakers and microphone)
5) VoIP phone (We all know the saying “you get what you pay for” and the same is apt when purchasing a VoIP phone. Various phone models can cost as exiguous as $25, but to really benefit from long-term product consume and improved drawl quality, the more reliable selections are priced above $100. Don’t be surprised if you come across models costing $1500 (usually geared towards business consumers).
The market is booming with VoIP phone options, offering an array of features for both personal and business consumers.
a) Desktop Hands-Free: Some can be connected and powered through an USB cable, such as a VoIP desktop hands free phone, which eliminates the spend of a mouse for placing and ending phone calls.
b) Cordless: There are cordless VoIP phones, offering features like multiple expansion handsets, 2-way paging and handset speakerphone.
c) Business: Business VoIP phones use Ethernet cable for connection to an office network.
d) Wireless: There are also VoIP phones that provide wireless capabilities. They can be used in the office and home, as well as any public situation supplying WiFi access.
Test Out the VoIP Phone Service For FREE
You can easily test out the difference between primitive telephone service and VoIP technology by placing a PC-to-PC call for free. Numerous companies offer free VoIP software, which enables your computer to place phone calls across the Internet. The set-up is easy and takes about 3-5 minutes to complete. A popular free download for this service is called Skype 2.5 (http://www.skype.com).
The Catch: Calls can only be placed to computers that possess downloaded VoIP software and you cannot place phone calls to regular telephones. But this is free and it doesn’t matter if you call a computer in Seattle or China; it is tranquil free.
VoIP Service Conception Example: Vonage
Let’s take a brief look at what Vonage has to offer customers who wish to make the switch towards VoIP technology. Vonage uses an analog phone with a broadband phone adapter to provide service.
Requirements: Broadband Internet (Cable or DSL); Vonage Phone Adapter (free with service plan); any touch-tone, corded or cordless phone
Features: All service plans include voicemail, caller ID w/ name, call waiting, call forwarding, 3-way calling, call transfer, repeat dialing, call return and more (for no extra cost).
Vonage Service Plans
1) Residential Basic 500 Minutes Understanding
Cost: $14.99/ month
Details: 500 minutes of local and long distance.
Call anywhere in the US, Canada and Puerto Rico.
3.9¢ per minute after the first 500 monthly minutes.
2) Residential Premium Unlimited Plan
Cost: $ 24.99/month
Details: Unlimited local and long distance.
Call anywhere in the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico.
Just added free calls to Italy, France, U.K., Spain and Ireland.
3) Small Business Basic 1500 Minutes Plan
Cost: $39.99/month
Details: 1500 minutes of local and long distance.
Call anywhere in the US, Canada and Puerto Rico for business customers.
3.9¢ per minute after the first 1500 monthly minutes.
Receive a free, dedicated fax line.
4) Small Business Premium Unlimited Plan
Cost: $49.99/month
Details: Unlimited local and long distance.
Call anywhere in the US, Canada and Puerto Rico for business customers.
Just added free calls to Italy, France, U.K., Spain and Ireland.
Receive a free, dedicated fax line.
Companies Offering VoIP Service
For those who are interested in comparing VoIP service plans, you can check out the following companies:
· Adwell Communications: Offers VoIP services using phone, PBX or computer to make and receive calls
· AT&T CallVantage Service: VOIP plans includes unlimited calling within USA and Canada
· BroadVoice: VoIP provider using a supplied broadband phone adapter
· CallDaddy: Pre-paid VOIP services
· Callserve: Software download for PC-to-Phone service (outbound calls only)
· Dialpad Communications, Inc.: Monthly billing and pre-paid PC-to-Phone VoIP services, as well as broadband telephone adapter options (no PC needed).
· Lingo, Inc: Plans offer unlimited calls to U.S. and Canada using any phone (with provided adapter). Some plans offer unlimited calls to Europe, Asia, Mexico.
· RhinoBell: Offers PC-to-phone, phone-to-phone using device service
· Skype: Peer-to-peer Internet voice service for Mac, Windows and Linux
· Voiceglo: VoIP service with both free and paid plans. Some plans require phone adapters or USB phones.
· VoicePulse: VoIP service offering phone-to-phone (with arrangement).
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Filed under Asterisk Voip Business Solutions by on Oct 16th, 2010. Comment.