VoIP services convert your voice into a digital signal that travels over the Internet. If you are calling a regular phone number, the signal is converted to a regular telephone signal before it reaches the destination. VoIP can allow you to make a call directly from a computer, a special VoIP phone, or a traditional phone connected to a special adapter. In addition, wireless "hot spots" in locations such as airports, parks, and cafes allow you to connect to the Internet and may enable you to use VoIP service wirelessly.

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Standard dial-up service does not have enough up and down speeds to support VoIP service.  The most typical broadband/highspeed internet services used for businesses and homes are DSL or a cable modem. Busineses may also go with dedicted T1 service. Any of these types of connections will provide the necessasry bandwidth required for supporting VoIP. However, businesses need to keep in mind how many simultaneous conversations they might have at any one time, along with the number of people who might be sending or receiving information via the Internet.

Please visit our Find Internet Providers tab to locate the type of  High Speed Internet service your looking for.

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That depends on the VoIP service provider you will be using. Some companies allow for calls to be made even through a 56 Kbps dial-up modem as the digital packets that carry the voice streams in each direction are compressed. Other VoIP providers recommend a minimum of 90 Kbps, in both upload and download speeds, as their software does not use compression in transmitting voice packets. Generally a broadband connection will always result in higher-quality voice transmission. And if you plan on using advanced features such as three-way-calling and conference calls, you will need connection speeds higher than 90 Kbps.

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A broadband (high speed Internet) connection is required. This can be through a cable modem, or high speed services such as DSL or a local area network. A computer, adaptor, or specialized phone is required. Some VoIP services only work over your computer or a special VoIP phone, while other services allow you to use a traditional phone connected to a VoIP adapter. If you use your computer, you will need some software and an inexpensive microphone. Special VoIP phones plug directly into your broadband connection and operate largely like a traditional telephone. If you use a telephone with a VoIP adapter, you'll be able to dial just as you always have, and the service provider may also provide a dial tone.

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Most VoIP providers inlcude unlimited local and long distance calls in the US. This will vary slightly with business plans. Some VoIP providers offer their services for free, normally only for calls to other subscribers to the service. Your VoIP provider may permit you to select an area code different from the area in which you live. It also means that people who call you may incur long distance charges depending on their area code and service.

Some VoIP providers charge for a long distance call to a number outside your calling area, similar to existing, traditional wireline telephone service. Other VoIP providers permit you to call anywhere at a flat rate for a fixed number of minutes.

Please look under our Find VoIP Providers or VoIP Providers List for VoIP service.

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Yes

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Only if your service requires you to make calls using your computer. All VoIP services require your broadband Internet connection to be active.

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If you have a special VoIP phone or a regular telephone connected to a VoIP adapter, the phone will ring like a traditional telephone. If your VoIP service requires you to make calls using your computer, the software supplied by your service provider will alert you when you have an incoming call.

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Yes, this is one of the benifits of VoIP service. We still reccommend talking with your VoIP service provider. Most VoIP service providers offer services that can be used wherever a high speed Internet connection available. Using a VoIP service from a new location may impact your ability to connect directly to emergency services through 9-1-1.

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In June 2005 the FCC imposed 911 obligations on providers of “interconnected” VoIP services – VoIP services that allow users generally to make calls to and receive calls from the regular telephone network. You should know, however, that 911 calls using VoIP are handled differently than 911 calls using your regular telephone service. Please see our consumer fact sheet on VoIP and 911 services at http://www.voip911.gov/ for complete information on these differences.

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