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Misconceptions About VoIP

Written by: Steven G. Atkinson

Article Overview: VoIP has been on everyone's mind for the past couple of years. There are some misconceptions about VoIP and this lists a few of the common ones.

Misconceptions About VoIP

VoIP can save money.
This may be true if you are making a great deal of long distance and international telephone calls. These calls through the traditional telephone network may have high per minute cost. If your calls are to local users or those on your system, VoIP has little to no savings on calls. Also the phrase, VoIP calls are free is not always true. If it’s from one VoIP user to another it may be, but if calling someone who is using a non-VoIP service, there usually still is a cost.

The computer needs to be on to use VoIP.
This would depend on what type of VoIP telephone you are using. If you are using a soft-phone that resides on the computer that is true, but if you have a VoIP adapter, the calls do not go through your computer. It is possible that the call may go through a VoIP server and that would need to always be on.

VoIP cannot be used in conjuction with your present telephones.
Even in larger businesses a combined traditional, VoIP solution is usually the best. Fax machines will require the use of a VoIP adapter, which can also be used with any normal telephone. A fax machine still may not work with VoIP for other technical resaons. If using a PBX or Key system digital phone system, VoIP can be used to connect to the world.

You can keep your present telephone number.
This may or may not be true. There are many factors involved in porting a telephone number from one type of service to another. While it may be able to happen, many times it will not be easy nor smooth.

Any Internet connection will work.
Don’t expect VoIP to work over a dial-up connection. Even connections in hotels or public WiFi spots may not be configured with enough bandwidth to carry all of the IP telephone calls that may be carried on them. Even in the office a DSL or Cable connection may not be enough depending on the number of users that using the telephone at the same time.

© 2006-2007 Steven G. Atkinson – All rights reserved

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Re: Direct Mail Postcards - Post cards would be really expensive to send from Japan...but one way to advertise that is not expensive from overseas is by Cold Calling using cheap VoIP equipment. I know Japan has a really good internet connection, so as long as you are willing to stay up late, it might be an option. I cold call from Thailand far, far away from any city using a CDMA wireless internet connection and have had pretty good results. I find tho, that cold calling works best for business 2 business (b2b), rather than b2c products. --matt
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