VoIP is a hot topic these days, but what exacty is VoIP and VoIP service? It is a method of using the internet to carry phone calls. The term, "VoIP", stands for Voice Over Internet Protocol.

Why use a VoIP service? Probably cost is one of the main considerations as VoIP is less expensive than many other telephone service options. The cost of VoIP service is similar to the cost of sending email. You must pay to have an internet service, but after that, your usage is free. In some instances, savings of up to 90% over regular long distance and other telephone services can be recognized.

Can my business use VoIP service? Anybody with an internet connection has the basic capability to use a VoIP service, and benefit from the cost savings associated with VoIP.

Can VoIP be used for long distance calls, and how about international long distance? Certainly. In fact, that is one of the primary arguments in favor of any VoIP service. The savings can be quite significant when a VoIP service is used for business or personal long distance calls. If you are now making international long distance calls for businesss or personal reasons, you should see immediate savings on your long distance telephone charges.

Is VoIP legal? Yes, it is a legal and acceptable alternative to standard telephone and long distance calling systems.

Will DSL or Broadband access enhance my VoIP service? Absoulutely. High speed internet services, such as DSL or Broadband, allow the use of multiple phone lines. This would be of particular importance to a business user.

Would VoIP work for an internal business network? As a matter of fact, many businesses have used it successfully for exactly that purpose, in addition to using it for external business contacts.

Are there problems with VoIP? VoIP is a relatively new technology, and as such, has the occasional bug to be worked out. Overall, it is a relatively safe, useful, and cost-effective service. One problem is that not all services are universally available, and you would be well-advised to check carefully into the availabilty of services in the areas where you intend to use the system. Also, each service has its own package of services and pricing, so investing some time in a little shopping around can save a lot of money and frustration.

How expensive is VoIP? Well, you can get anything from some free services on up. If your goal is simply to talk to friends and family over the internet, these free services may be sufficient. However, if you intend to use VoIP for business purposes, it may be worth your while to invest a little into a good VoIP service provider.

What would I need to look at? Well, cost is an obvious factor, but you also need to evaluate your individual needs. For example, will you be making a lot of overseas calls? Can you get a number that is local to the people you do the most business with? What is the service and reliability track record for the service provider you are looking at? And then there are bandwidth issues, a subject too complicated to get into here, but it needs to be looked at.

Can I call anybody with VoIP? Most systems will require that both parties have a broadband connection. There are computer to computer set ups, and there a land-line setups. Again, this is a topic a little broader than can be covered in this small article, so some homework on your part is involved in order to find the most effective system for your needs.

Overall, VoIP is, as stated, a safe and cost effective means of communicating with friends, family, business associates around the world or across the street, but do your homework before you leap into a contract with a VoIP service provider.