VoIP On Laptop

If you have a laptop computer with enough battery back up, you can usually use your voice over Internet service to make calls, provided that your additional equipment does not need electricity to work properly. If it does not, you can be making phone calls in the complete dark, regardless of your cell phone and its service availability.

As people often do, there are peak times for phone calls, especially during special occasions and holidays. We will all seemingly reach for the phone at the same time, which puts a mighty strain on the phone company and its networks. With more and more people reaching for their VoIP services instead, the phone companies should start experiencing far less network bog down than they ever had in the past. Of course, the phone company does not want anybody else to know that, but it is true. VoIP can be just the alternative that a person needs to make a quick, efficient phone call without having to wait for a non peak time to do so.

Selecting Suitable VoIP Service Provider

Of course, the first step should be to see if voice over internet is even an option for you. Ask yourself the following questions: Am I ready to start saving money on my long distance phone calls? Do I have a home or office computer? Do I have high speed Internet connectivity? What exactly am I waiting for ?

Start your research of this new technology on the web, looking up VoIP service providers and doing a side by side comparison of the ones that look promising to you. Again, make sure that the ones that you choose actually provide service to your area.

Selecting VoIP Phone Service Provider

Once you have figured out whether or not you have high speed Internet service or not, then you can start researching the different VoIP service providers. Do not sign up with the first one that you talk to, compare some prices, see what all is available for you in your area. There is a chance that there will be only one game in town for you, so the question will not be who will be the best provider, but whether or not the service is right for you or not. If you are lucky enough to have more than one company to choose from, make sure that you select the right service plan, at the best price for you. Take advantage of any special sign up bonuses and ask about shorter term contracts to be sure that you are happy with the service. There is nothing worse than signing up for a two year contract and finding out that you hate the service or cannot really use it. Make sure that you understand the contract, the equipment and the service itself before you sign anything at all.

Many of the services are stand alone companies, while others are tied in with existing telephone networks. The old fashioned phone companies saw a huge opportunity to jump on board with this fast growing technology or risk losing growing portions of their core customer base. To keep up with the times, the major PSTN are now offering VoIP services as well, and if they have not already, rest assured, it is in the works for them as well.

Signup VoIP Service Plan

Just like cell phones, many of the VoIP providers have a monthly rate plan that allows users to sign up and pay a single, flat rate for the entire month for a basic plan. Additional fees for additional services will apply, of course, but in most cases, long distance service is included for free. Again, make sure you understand the contract before signing it, because some companies will charge additional fees and penalties for early termination of service.

Additional information that you will need before signing up for service are things like, who pays for installation and other setup tasks? Which equipment will be provided and which will have to be purchased by you, yourself? How difficult is the recommended equipment to set up and use and last, but possibly most importantly, is there a tech desk to answer any installation or usage questions that may arise?

One-Year Stock Trending

Vonage, being a purely VoIP company, should provide a much clearer picture of the VoIP industry specifically, apart from the telecom industry as a whole. As would be expected, the one year snapshot for Vonage performance indicates the generally constant (but slightly declining) level throughout 2008, a slight increase in that decline during the fall (when all other telecom companies were dropping significantly), and then a fascinating slight recovery at the very end of the year in December, with the stock climbing back up to its September level, before the overall fall decline of the Telecom markets.

Eight-Year Stock Trending

There is only stock information available for the last three years, since 2006. However, even this data provides interesting insight into industry patterns. The Vonage stock value dipped significantly just before October 2007 and then recovered almost to its original level. The fall telecom industry decline clearly impacted Vonage, but its recovery after October is already on an impressive upward trend.

VoIP Complements Mobile Communications

Customers stuck out in the more remote and rural areas found that they could not get service with their cell phones and were stuck with the landline, which is exactly what the phone company was counting on. For them, the outrageous prices that the phone company charges for basic service, let alone long distance is like a trap that they cannot escape from.

Mobile customers were demanding more and more cell coverage, and although a new tower goes up with alarming frequency, it seems that they just cannot get ahead of the demand, so an alternative needed to be found. Although the technology has been around for awhile, voice over Internet, or VoIP is growing like crazy now as more and more people discover the advantages of making and receiving calls over the computers broadband internet connection. It is not hard to get started, it is not hard to use and with free long distance service as a major selling point, will undoubtedly start becoming even more popular in the coming years.

VoIP Is Low Cost

The doubters will detract the idea, citing the need to buy new equipment, and the software that needs to be downloaded as a major con against the idea. First, the software is easy to work with and is usually available for free, and second, the equipment is not hard to find, install or use and is not outlandishly expensive either. And, the cost of the initial equipment purchase will more than be made up by the first month of free long distance phone calls.

Speaking of features, don’t worry that you will be giving up your caller id or call waiting if you make the switch to voice over internet, because you would be wrong. Nearly any telephone feature that is offered by the standard telephone companies is offered by the VoIP provider services, usually for the same rates that you are already paying. Of course, with VoIP you are usually going to pay a standard flat rate for service, with no charge for long distance, regardless of how far away you are calling, or how long you remain on the phone. The one thing you absolutely do need to have with voice over Internet is a high-speed, broadband Internet connection.

VoIP Equipments

To decide which equipment is best, you should research the three major types and compare features. The ATA or analog telephone adaptor, allows you to use your old standard telephone with the VoIP service by changing connections that allows analog information to be transformed to digital. The second type is the IP phone that also looks just like a regular phone. The only difference between IP phones and standard analog phones is the actual connection type- IP phones use an Ethernet connection. The third type is the computer to computer that according to experts is about the easiest way to use VoIP. You download the software, and buy the right equipment, which includes a microphone, speakers and a sound card. Many computers have the microphone, speakers and basic VoIP software already installed, so if you are already shopping for a computer, consider those as some of the features that you look for.

Once you sign up for VoIP, complete the simple installation, and then download the required software, you are able to start making phone calls that are quick, clear and most importantly, free. While there are some minor snafus remaining to be worked out as the technology progresses and gets bigger, right now, those drawbacks are worth the savings that the customer can see in one month of use.

Books & Guides

• On VoIP basics – Introduction to Voice Over IP (VoIP), VoIP for Dummies, VoIP Made Easy, Voice over IP Fundamentals and Definitive Guide to VoIP
• On VoIP technologies – VoIP Technologies: A Comprehensive Guide to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), Switching to VoIP, Introduction to IP Telephony: Why and How Companies are Upgrading Private Telephone Systems to use VoIP Services, Internet Communications Using SIP, Delivering VoIP and Multimedia Services with Session Initiation Protocol and The Future of Telephony
• On wireless internet technology – Capitalizing on the Broadband Wireless Opportunity
• On VoIP PBX installation and administration – VoIP PABX Installation and Administration Guide
• On VoIP hardware, software and network – VoIP Hardware Cost, Managing VoIP on Your Network, Best Practices for a Wireless VoIP Infrastructure
• On security concerns – Potential Security Problem Looms for Users of PC Based VoIP Products, Hacking Exposed VoIP: Voice Over IP Security Secrets & Solutions, VoIP Hacks: Tips & Tools for Internet Telephony
• On VoIP projects, outsourcing and companies – VoIP: Wireless, P2P and New Enterprise Voice over IP, Taking Charge of Your VoIP Project and Outsourcing Solves the VoIP Puzzle

VoIP Forums

• voip-forum.tmcnet.com/forum/ – Forum operated by TMCnet.com.
• www.voipforums.com – VoIP Termination, News, Software & Equipment discussions
• forum.voip.com – Discussion on billing issues, incoming/outgoing call issues, number transfers, and much more.
• www.dslreports.com/forum/voip – VoIP tech chat hosted by DSLReports.com
• www.voipinside.net – This active forum is a large community of VoIP enthusiasts discussing iPhones, Gateways, PBX, Protocols and much more.

VoIP Informational Sites

• FCC Consumer & Government Affairs Bureau VoIP Page – A comprehensive FAQ page created by the FCC on VoIP technologies.
• VoIP Info – This is a growing wiki site where visitors can update the website with more information and updates about VoIP news and resources.
• VoIP Information – This website lists lots of great articles on Broadband Phone, How VoIP works, phone reviews and more.
• VoIP Mechanic – This useful website provides technical tips and articles to assist with setup and troubleshooting VoIP issues.
• Consumer Search – Consumersearch provides reviews, what to look for, and reports on VoIP products.

VoIP Portals

• TechieVoIP – A portal that contains forums, job listings, events, a message board and much more.
• No Jitter – This portal covers blogs and analysis, and a collaborative community for industry professionals.
• Telephony World – This is a huge resource for both the voice and data industry.
• Voice Over Internet – This portal provides a great deal of articles and information about VoIP technologies.
• Voice Over IP News – Voice Over IP News covers VoIP development, news, and a wide range of other VoIP industry insight.

Keyword Searches On VoIP

One surest way to find what VoIP article material is popular is to conduct keyword research. Keyword research pertaining to VoIP sub-niches are indicated by the search volume. For example, within VoIP, the following major keyword and sub-keywords give an indication of the hottest current content searches going on as of December 2008:

Major Keyword: voip (1057)
Top Sub Keywords: voip rfp, voip requirements list, tawas voip phone systems, free voip, oscoda voip phone systems alpena voip phone systems, Michigan voip, voip providers, voip phone system, voip software, voip phone service, voip phone

Major Keyword: internet phone (256)
Top Sub Keywords: internet phone calls (277), internet phone services (184), magic jack internet phone (131), internet phone service (98), free internet phone calls (59), free internet phone (51), internet phone call (45), internet phones (44)

Major Keyword: mobile broadband (209)
Top Sub Keywords: broadband digital mobile phone (96), sprint mobile broadband (28)

Keywords With High Search Trend

Given the most recent search patterns, the highest value articles are those that touch on subjects with the widest distribution of searches. A major keyword with wider range of high-value sub keywords represents a sort of large, virtual “fishing net” with a wider range of sub keywords that can be used to attract many more visitors. For example, an article about mobile broadband, which uses keywords “broadband digital mobile phone”, “internet phone calls”, and “skype download”, stands to benefit tremendously from Search Engine Optimization efforts, because the current search trends on each of those individual terms are so high. Given this analysis, the current title examples would be the hottest subjects within the current online search climate:

Major Keyword: skype (6814)
Top Sub Keywords: skype versus gizmo (155), skype download (146), skype vs gizmo (142), download skype (112), skype phone (104), what is skype (78), how does skype work (53), skype phones (52), skype mobile (35)

Major Keyword: vonage (2277)
Top Sub Keywords: vonage complaints (84), vonage login (39), vonage reviews (38)

Keywords Of Growing Interest

Although VoIP is rising in popularity, it still isn’t widespread throughout popular culture, so the hit levels for these keywords need to be analyzed accordingly. There are keywords that represent high search trends of over 100 searches for the major keyword, and over 30 searches for sub-keywords within the last 24 hours. The subcategories below are identified according to the industries, companies, and technology that make up the VoIP industry, for the highest-impact articles that would draw the most traffic.

Major Keyword: voip phone systems (7)
Top Sub Keywords: tawas voip phone systems (142), Oscoda voip phone systems (132), alpena voip phone systems (130)

Major Keyword: pbx (83) (A PBX is a telephony Private Branch Exchange)
Top Sub Keywords: oscoda pbx (134), alpena pbx (129), tawas pbx (119), Oscoda affordable pbx (118), alpena affordable pbx (116), Michigan pbx (111), Michigan affordable pbx (105), tawas affordable pbx (105), pbx (83), aspire pbx Microsoft (67)

Major Keyword: digital phone (35)
Top Sub Keywords: broadband digital mobile phone (96), Comcast digital phone (32)

Search Trend On VoIP Mobile

Demographic Search On VoIP Mobile

Since that interest has only skyrocketed over the past 5 years, this particular VoIP niche market is a very safe bet, especially in developing countries. The top five regions of the world that make up the majority of these searches include: United Arab Emirates, India, Singapore, South Africa, and Malaysia

IP Softphone Vendors

The current software-based vendors people are using include Skype, Gizmo, VoIPStunt, Yeigo, Peerme, Fring, iChat, Jajah, iCall, X-Lite, Bria, Talkster, Talkety, Raketu, Nimbuzz, Jaxtr and Wengo – just to name a few. Other common chat software platforms that also now offer voice chat include MSN and Yahoo chat services, which formerly only offered chat-based text.

Almost all of these VoIP solutions typically offer free PC-to-PC voice chat once the software is downloaded and installed on each user’s PC. Many of them also offer free domestic phone calls and free calls to some countries. The recent trend, however, is that calls to regular phone lines or mobile phones now have a small fee applied, although most services do still offer free calling minute packages.

Consumer VoIP Trends

According to a 2008 article in Internet Telephony by Richard Grigonis titled “Consumer VoIP Trends,” consumer VoIP purchasing decisions are usually primarily tied to questions regarding expense and quality of service. In some areas of the world, government regulation is also a concern, so that’s something to keep in mind when exploring other parts of the global VoIP market.

Consumers are turning to VoIP over traditional PSTN providers in greater numbers every year. According to a VoIPGizmos.ca report, 1 out of every 12 Canadians now uses VoIP. Broadband telephony and voice IM services continue to grow in use among residential users, and many corporate and small business customers are also turning to these products to increase productivity.

IP Phone Packaging

According to the Yankee Group, it will only take until 2011 before the balance tips in favor of VoIP over traditional phone line services. By 2011, a majority of U.S. residential VoIP subscribers will be “package customers” who purchase bundles from the cable companies that include cable, phone, and Internet services. This purchasing trend puts cable companies in a tremendous advantage over the phone companies, unless traditional phone companies can establish a competitive advantage before then.

IP Phone For Mobile VoIP

The booming cell phone market is also helping to fuel the growth of the VoIP industry. Mobile phone use across the globe is increasing exponentially. As the IP wireless data service portion of mobile phone service continues to rise in popularity, so will popularity and use of the VoIP mobile Internet applications. This market presents countless opportunities for VoIP vendors to capture niche mobile VoIP markets.

According to a 2007 Deloitte & Touche survey, an impressive 36% of responders to the survey indicated that they use the IP wireless data service portion of their cell phone as an entertainment venue “to send and receive pictures and download music.” With continuous improvements of the 3G/4G mobile data networks, VoIP becomes more of a viable communication option, especially for phones that have the capacity to link to Wi-Fi networks. For example, businesses could use their Wi-Fi network so that mobile phone users could communicate in walkie-talkie fashion around a large facility.

VoIP Rapid Growth

According to a report released by Telecommunications Industry Associations (TIA) in 2006, the number of VoIP customers tripled from 2.1 million in 2005, with a projected continued growth rate of an impressive 43.9% through 2009, reaching upwards of 18 million customers.

According to the TIA report, a similar explosion within the overall broadband industry is driving the rapid growth. Since broadband technology serves as the backbone to VoIP functionality and quality, as broadband services became more commonplace, more customers are opting for VoIP due to lower cost and additional services and features that are usually only provided at additional cost with traditional phone service. The following chart from the TIA report shows how exponentially the VoIP industry has grown.

Economic Impact On Telecom Industry

Throughout the traditional Telecom industry, companies have been calling VoIP a “disruptive technology” for years. This choice of words isn’t by chance. VoIP technology has started revolutionizing the entire Telecommunication Industry, and the network of large Telecom companies who virtually controlled the lion’s share of the market did not like it. VoIP technology would allow even small Internet providers or other Internet-based companies to start capturing large segments of the Telecom market. In order to understand the impact VoIP technology has on the Telecom industry, it’s important to examine some of the data and charts for the Telecom niche.

VoIP Market Forces

All industry experts are estimating tremendous growth within the VoIP industry, however there are many variables within the industry to take into consideration, such as the advance of China’s electronic technology capabilities and market penetration, as well as the effects of different actions taken by telephone, cable, and purely VoIP companies in order to capture a larger share of the Telecom market. One thing that’s for certain is that, right now, nothing is for certain. However there are trends that indicate where there is most potential for growth, and where certain niche markets may thrive.

Within the next few years, VoIP market will grow exponentially to move beyond 50% of the world’s telecom traffic. It is even predicted that global telecom traffic over IP will increase to 75% within the next 5 years. This is a huge demand, considering that there are fewer than 100 million VoIP subscribers globally today.

Current VoIP Market Trends

The highest growth in number of current subscribers will be seen in the Asia Pacific. Among the top VoIP providers based on subscriber numbers and overall revenue, the top 3 are cable companies, followed by pure VoIP companies. These players are likely to dominate the industry for many years to come. They include Charter Communications, Cablevision, Time Warner Cable Inc, Comcast, Skype and Vonage. Their combined subscriber base is expected to reach 1.5 billion by 2010. Presently the cable companies have already captured 75% of the market, with their subscriptions increasing.

VoIP Service Offerings

VoIP telephone service is a market growing exponentially. Traditional phone operators are offering VoIP telephone service in the form of cheaper overseas calls, call back service and packages for business telecommunications. Internet companies are also aggressively promoting their service through bundling and strategic partinership.

VoIP telephone service is changing the landscape of telecommunications, giving a lower cost alternative to traditional long distance phone service. All that you need is broadband connectivity and the proper equipment, (including hardware) and you can start making high quality, low cost calls to Aunt Flo in Idaho, right from your home computer. There are different options and some service is not available in all areas, so check with your Internet service provider before you run out and buy a bunch of stuff that you might not be able to use.

VoIP Offers More Functionalities

With the economy hitting everyone hard, the cost of the bare basic of life has skyrocketed out of the reach of many American family budgets, let alone the extras like cable television and entertainment.

Many people fear the change that new things present, but many of the long time services that you are familiar with are still offered by a VoIP telephone service. The same extras that you pay for from your phone company can be added to a VoIP service plan, such as caller id, call waiting, three way calling and others. Basic service is cheaper so if you only need to make a few phone calls here and there, you can probably skip the frills.

VoIP Bottom-Line

To save money on the initial set up, you should first look at downloading the free software that is available over the web – making sure that at least one of the people that you would like to talk with does the same. Computer to computer is the easiest and potentially cheapest way to get long distance phone calls. For this option you need the software, a microphone, (many computers have an integrated one), speakers, (again, possibly built in already) a sound card, and an Internet connection. The only expense you will incur from then on is the cost of your Internet service provider with no limit on the time or distance of the phone calls that you can make. Of course, there are other options that will seem more like a regular phone, but those can become a little more expensive.

Check out other VoIP options. Check out the availability in your area and then look at the cost of start up. If the start up cost will be more than the savings will be, it is not really worth it. And remember, it does not matter if you have all of this capability if no one that you know has it as well.