Why Use VoIP at Home?

The VoIP revolution is truly underway and millions of households have already switched to the new technology while ditching their landlines. Quite a lot of consumers may have no idea that the underlying technology powering that new phone is VoIP but they do know the advantages it has over more traditional landlines.

When it comes to replacing landlines with VoIP, consumers often hesitate because they are not familiar with the technology or because their landline has served them well so far. After all why fix something that’s not broken?

But there are many compelling reasons to switch to VoIP, not least because service providers have rectified many of the issues that plagued VoIP systems of earlier generations.

VoIP is inexpensive

You may know that VoIP is inexpensive but not why. For one thing, VoIP does not require its own separate infrastructure like the PSTN. Voice calls are simply transmitted over the same networks that power the Internet. This means that the provider does not have to invest significant capital in laying phone lines to each and every house.

VoIP is essentially piggybacking on the existing broadband network throughout much of the United States. So voice is treated exactly the same as other forms of media such as text and images on the Internet. Just like sending email and pictures is practically free, voice calls also become extremely cheap. This gives consumers a wide variety of options ranging from Vonage, Google Voice and MagicJack to name a few.

Even for international calls

The Internet knows no boundaries and does not recognize geographical borders. The very concept of local, long-distance or international calls becomes meaningless when voice is transmitted over the Internet. For the most part, this means calls to other countries no longer cost exorbitant amounts of money. In fact, international calls on VoIP probably cost only as much as local calls used to on traditional landlines.

Moving is no longer a hassle

Anyone who has moved a landline from one home to another knows the pain of dealing with the carrier. With VoIP, the phone number is no longer associated with a single device, residence, line or household. The VoIP phone number is associated with you and your account. Not only does this mean that you can use any device with your number, it also makes it convenient if you have to move across the country for personal or professional reasons. Unlike moving or traditional landlines, taking your VoIP phone with you doesn’t require anything more than unplugging it from the modem/wall and packing it up.

Use any device from anywhere

Many VoIP service providers offer a native application or softphone that can be used to make calls from a computer, mobile phone or even tablets. This means you can continue to make calls even if you are traveling and other people can reach you no matter where you are. You can take a USB handset with you, plug it into the computer and call people while sitting in your hotel room. Or you can use the mobile application to make calls using the same VoIP number. No more complicated call forwarding or the hassle of buying prepaid cards when traveling internationally.

Use VoIP for your startup business

Launching your own business from the garage is not an easy task. Entrepreneurs pretty soon find that their landline is not enough to handle the needs of the business, no matter how small. This is where VoIP comes in handy. VoIP service can provide much-needed features like auto attendant, group voicemail, multi device ring, automatic call routing etc. which normally requires a business line.

Future proof your phone

The most compelling need for VoIP is that it is all set to dominate voice communication. Major telephone carriers across the world are switching over to VoIP and few companies want to maintain two networks that serve the same purpose.

Over the next few years, the market for landlines will drastically shrink and most people will not be able to get one even if they wanted to. This combined with all the other advantages of VoIP means that there is every reason for the average consumer to use VoIP at home.