by Edward Ramsey

Created on: January 20, 2011

In today’s fierce market of local and long-distance phone service providers a relatively new technology that has been a touted cure-all is VoIP. VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Phoning and is a way to use your high-speed Internet to make phone calls.

 Much to the dismay of traditional landline-based telephone companies, VoIP is finding its way into more and more homes as the primary means of phone service. It is hard to deny its convenient and cost-effective qualities. However, there are some issues to take into consideration if you want to use it as your sole telephony solution.

 Emergency calls

 In the past, the traditional landline phones were tied to a specific location. When an emergency call was made, that call was routed to a local call center. In the event that the call accidentally got disconnected, the emergency call center would be able to call that person back. If the call center was unable to contact the caller, they had the person’s information on file and could alert emergency personnel to the location of the caller.

 With VoIP service, when a customer registers for service they are obligated to list their current address and contact information. However, if the customer changes residence or acquires a new cell phone number, it is their responsibility to keep this information current with their VoIP service provider. If the customer fails to keep their contact information up to date, the emergency personnel will have to record and confirm this information during a potentially life-threatening situation.

 Call clarity and reliability

 VoIP technicians and programmers are working diligently; the call quality is always improving. This is a byproduct of an evolving technology in a highly competitive industry. However, call reliability can be affected by many factors. If a hurricane or snowstorm disables residential power then your computer or router cannot be used. This would make it impossible to use VoIP unless there is backup power. Traditional landline telephones have their own direct current power source apart from the residential power grid.

 Sometimes there is an issue of the allocated Internet bandwidth not being able to accommodate the call traffic during the holiday season. The Christmas season is especially demanding on the VoIP system. However, Internet outages are less of a problem to VoIP because the nature of the Internet allows it to bypass these “trouble spots” and continue service as normal.

 Taxation and regulation

 Since VoIP is relatively new in comparison with landline-based phones or mobile phones, it is hard to predict how the ever-changing world and its governments will tax and regulate its usage. Some companies are reluctant to change to VoIP due to the uncertainty of future legislation and its effect on competition and restriction.

 VoIP is a new technology that is becoming increasingly used both as a household and corporate telephony solution. Inherent with its newness are certain tribulations that will be addressed in time. Ultimately VoIP is a great solution for homes and business as long as certain issues are taken into consideration.

 http://www.fcc.gov/voip/

 http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2010/12/22/skype-outa ge-millions-affected-worldwide/

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