Choosing a Home Phone service provider is not as clear as it used to be. What was once picking a local and long distance carrier with the best price now has the added option of VoIP. To oversimplify the description – VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) uses the Public Internet to send and receive phone calls. VoIP Phones are usually connected to your Router or Access Point along with your PC and Xbox.
Some well known companies like Verizon, ATT, and Comcast provide service bundles with TV, Internet, and Phone. If the phone is VoIP technology, you can’t always tell, and there is a lot of information out there clouding the line between VoIP and a traditional Land Line Service. The use of non-technical marketing names only adds to the confusion:
- Verizon still offers traditional POTS Land Line, A FiOS bundle that includes a “Freedom” package, and a VOIP solution called “VoiceWing”.
- Comcast “Digital Voice” is similar to VoIP in technology, but uses a private Comcast IP Network, rather than the public Internet. The phone is connected to the private Network usually in your garage, or on the side of your house.
- Similar to Verizon, ATT has POTS, Digital Bundles, and a VoIP package called CallVantage.
- Vonage has a VoIP package for about $25 a month. The phone, caller ID, voicemail, long Distance included in the Monthly Fee.
- Skype VoIP has a North American package called Skype Pro, which is $3 a month for 10,000 minutes for USA and Canada. Startup costs are the phone, a SkypeIn number, and buying Skype Credits.
Bundle prices are quoted to you as if the phone service could be purchased alone. In actuality, you need to purchase TV and Internet from them to get the phone service for that introductory price, which only last for a year or so.
If you are interested in true VoIP solution like Vonage or Skype, consider the initial cost of equipment and Internet, if you don’t currently have it. Over the long term, VoIP is far cheaper.
Skype Dual phone options can be found Here
