Before You Choose a Broadband Phone Service Provider
Broadband phone service enables voice telephone calls to work over your high-speed Internet connection. A broadband phone (also known as a VoIP or Internet phone) utilizes the same IP network as your Internet service. Hardware adapters connect a standard telephone to the high-speed Internet connection to create a broadband phone.
Broadband Phone Service Provider Internet
Compatibility
Most broadband phone services work only with DSL or
cable modem Internet. If you subscribe to dial-up, satellite or wireless
broadband, these telephone services will likely not work in your
household.
Broadband Phone Service Plans
Service
providers offer many different broadband phone subscription plans. As with a
cell phone, some service plans for these telephones feature unlimited local
calling or large numbers of free minutes. However, the cost of broadband phone
service is highly variable; international, long distance and other calling
charges often still apply.
Broadband Phone Reliability
Compared to
an Internet-based broadband phone network, the standard home voice telephone
network is extremely reliable. Calls cannot be made with the broadband phone
whenever your home Internet service is down. Additional failures within the
broadband phone service itself will add to any downtime caused by the Internet
connection.
Broadband Phone Number Portability
A
popular feature associated with broadband phones is number portability. This
feature allows you to keep the same telephone number you had before subscribing
to the Internet-based plan. However, this feature may not be available depending
on your number and the local broadband phone company involved. You are normally
responsible for requesting and paying for the broadband phone number portability
service.
Broadband Phone Service Lock-In
The
contract you sign with a broadband phone service provider may restrict your
ability to change providers at a later time. High service fees may be charged to
change your telephone number, service plan, or switch to another broadband phone
company. Likewise, the local telephone compoany may charge high fees to restore
their service, should you change your mind later.
Broadband Phone Sound Quality
In years
past, the sound quality supported by broadband phone service was significantly
less than with traditional telephone services. Though it can vary by provider
and location, in general the quality of broadband phone audio is very good. You
might notice a small delay ("lag") between when you speak and the other party
hears your voice.