Surviving VoIP
How to make a smooth transition
Considering you have by now decided to take the next step and get VoIP , we want to give you
some expert tips in order to ease your way on the Internet telephony path and help you get the
best VoIP service out there.
Step 1 is preparing the network . At www.TestYourVoip.com you can find a browser-based
application that can help you test your broadband connection . This applet simulates a VoIP call
to a number of destinations using your broadband connection . After the test you will know for
sure what sort of quality you are most likely to expect .To ensure the best performances you may
have to get a new modem or to upgrade the software in your existing modem or your router .
Step2 to is getting a backup power supply. When there is a power failure , the VoIP network and
adapters go out too .The solution is getting a cheap backup supply , also called UPS (
uninterruptible power supply ) and then plug into it the broadband router , modem and VoIP
adapter . This will keep them functioning during short times when electricty supply is not
provided . This configuration helped me out during a huge thunderstorm last summer that caused a
power failure during a two - hour period , and I was able to talk as if nothing happened.
Step 3 is to be well informed . You already know that the quality of the service depends on a
number of factors such as : your VoIP carrier , the boardband and the network configuration .
Inquire in your area for people that have already gotten VoIP and see how satisfied they are and
how often boardband outages occur , because you know that with VoIP , that sort of failure leads
to telephone outage as well. You can enter some forums that provide information about this
topic, such as Broadband Reports and comparing , you can decide what Internet carriers and VoIP
companies can work together for the best results in your area.
Step 4 : Ease up your step . If it is possible , keep your primary telephone line while testing
the secondary VoIP line . This way you have the assured old service just in case , and after
some time , if you are happy with the VoIP you can give up the old telephone line and make VoIP
the primary one.
Step 5 : Consider the security system you have . Very often , VoIP systems will bypass the wire
interface that security panels use to dial into their monitoring centers . If you have some
studying time and think you can handle it you could jerry-rig a configuration that patches the
security panel into the VoIP line . Anyway this isn’t a sure solution because some VoIP systems
simply refuse to work together with security service. What else could be done? Some providers of
security systems such as Next Alarm , can provide you with broadband links that are compatible
with VoIP , but this means of course that if an Internet outage should occur , then the security
system will alse be down.
Step 6 : Mind the house wiring configuration. After installing VoIP service , you won’t be able
to get dial tone from the wall phone jacks but you could get the signal to be carried through
the house by using a cord to plug into the wall your VoIP adapter.However you should pay
attention not to burn your adapter due to the electrical charge coming from the
telecommunication wiring. There are some risks involved if you should decide to do this alone
so don’t do it unless you have some notions about wiring and you are comfortable with the
consequences of failing . Practically , in order to make it work you must disable the telco’s
wiring at box for network interface .Usually it is a gray box located in the house area where
the telephone lines are coming in from the ground.
Step 7 : Be aware of hidden taxes. Some VoIP companies might make you pay some taxes at startup
but if you have a compatible adapter you could avoid this.Look out for those providers who have
promotions and trial periods and you can further escape undesired costs. You shoul know that if
you decide to give up the VoIP services earlier than one year , most companies will have you
paying a cancellation tax. Trial periods are the best solution but they are usually pretty short
- 2-3 weeks so you are unlikely to form an oppinon about the quality of the service during this
time.
Step 8 : Investigate emergency calls . The laws do not yet require that providers of VoIP
service to enable free access to 911 calling so if you thought it is free you may be wrong.Some
carriers , such as Vonage provide however free emergency calling but the condition is to
activate it. An extre requirement is that your VoIP company has to have you exactly located so
it can trace our 911 calls and send them to the right emergency center ( that’s because you
could be anywerw an Internet connection is available ). The paradox is that in case of power
failures , when you are most proably in need to make a call your VoIP service will be
unavailable.
Step 9 : Temperate your expectations. Although it may seem a good deal right now , there are no
guarantees that it will be the same in the near future because governments are extremly keen in
raising the taxes for outgrowing VoIP services .The savings that you can make with VoIP nowadays
( around 10 dollars compared to regular phone bills ) are due to the lack of taxing , but nobody
can assure you it will stay the same let’s say a year from now . As with the whole Internet
field everything is relative.