Learn About VoIP
What is VoIP?
How does VoIP work?
What kind of Internet connection do I need for VoIP?
Can I use my computer when I am on the VoIP phone?
What are the advantages of VoIP?
I have decided I want to try VoIP, what should I be aware of?
What is a Hosted PBX?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a Hosted PBX?
What is a Softphone?
Once I install VoIP can I disconnect from my current telecom provider?
How is the quality of sound and speech on a VoIP call?
Can I use a credit card machine over my VoIP connection?
I have an alarm system; can it be integrated with a VoIP system?
If I loose power will I still be able to make phone calls with VoIP?
What is automatic call forwarding on non-registration and how will
it affect my VoIP connection?
What is a virtual number?
How much bandwidth do I need to have a VoIP connection?
Will 911 work with VoIP?
Would being a reseller of VoIP be a good home based business?
I would like to have 5 VoIP numbers. Can more than one ATA be set
up at the same location?
What does “porting a number” mean?
How will I know if I can port my phone number away from my current
provider?
How long does it generally take to move my number?
Are there now new porting requirements for VoIP?
Can I port my DSL phone number and still retain DSL service?
What is an LOA, and why do I need one?
Can I port a toll free number or my cell phone number?
My port request came back denied with an error stating an address
mismatch, how can I correct that?
After my port request was denied I had my new company request a CSR
and it came back with my number listed under my VoIP provider's name
and address, how can this happen?
What if after I port my number something that I did not plan on happens
and I need to have my number placed back to the original carrier?
What is VoIP?
Voice over Internet Protocol is a technology that allows voice to
be sent over the Internet. Using a broadband Internet connection
and subscribing to a VoIP provider allows a person to make phone
calls over the Internet.
Top How does VoIP work?
First, voice is converted by a device from an analog signal to a
digital signal. It is then sent over the Internet where it will be
converted back to an analog signal for the remaining distance over
a traditional circuit switch (PSTN).
Top What kind of Internet connection do I need for VoIP?
You will need a broadband Internet connection such as DSL or Cable
or others (T1, wireless, etc.). Generally, depending on variables
such as the Codec in use, a connection should have at least 100kbps
on both the upload and download.
Top Can I use my computer when I am on the VoIP phone?
Yes, you can work on the computer while on the VoIP phone. They
should not conflict with each other.
Top What are the advantages of VoIP?
There are several advantages to VoIP over a traditional phone service,
such as, price, portability, and extra features. Many VoIP providers
allow unlimited calls throughout the US and Canada at one low monthly
fee. The taxation and regulation of VoIP is less than traditional
phone service making the cost cheaper. A person can pick a number,
rather than be locked into certain area codes and prefixes. With
many providers, numerous features are offered as part of the basic
monthly fee, such as call waiting, call forwarding, voicemail, call
forwarding on busy, etc.
Top I have decided I want to try VoIP, what should I be aware of?
There are several things you should consider, depending on if you
are a small business or a residential user. Some of these would include
integration of other services such as faxing, alarms, TIVO and credit
card machines. You may also need to consider how much bandwidth you
have available from your Internet provider if you are looking for
multiple lines. Then you will also want to pick a provider that offers,
not only the features that you may need, but especially excellent
customer service and technical support. We have included quite a
lot of information on our Planning page for your consideration.
Top What is a Hosted PBX?
A Hosted
PBX is a VoIP business phone system where the "PBX
Hardware" resides at the provider. Usually rich in features,
a Hosted PBX can save significant upfront hardware charges because
the PBX software/hardware sits remotely at the provider's facility
and connection is made through the Internet.
Top What are the advantages and disadvantages of a Hosted PBX?
The
advantages of a Hosted PBX are the lower upfront costs, usually associated
with less hardware costs. The
usual hardware need would
be IP phones which would connect to the Internet through a router.
The provider maintains the software and servers and should provide
technical support. By connecting to the "PBX server" through
the Internet a user is dependant upon their connections stability,
as well as the quality of that connection. As many Hosted PBX companies
are smaller, relatively younger companies and the technology new,
some issues can occur which can affect the stability of the service.
In addition, the contract may have "back end" costs, such
as cancellations fess which would increase the overall cost of the
service.
Top If, at a later time, I decide to change VoIP providers, will the
hardware device I purchased work with another provider?
In most cases, you will probably need to get another ATA or VoIP
hardware device, one that is supplied by the VoIP provider themselves.
Even though some providers use similar devices, they may have proprietary
software on them which cannot easily be changed.
Top What is a Softphone?
A softphone is the general term used to describe a VoIP phone connection
where software that is installed, is used to create a phone connection
on a computer. The PC acts as the phone with a virtual phone displayed
on the screen. A head set is generally needed for good conversations,
one with both a microphone and head speakers. Although softphones
are liked and used by many people, they have not as of yet taken
off in the business environment, which still prefer more traditional
phones.
Top Once I install VoIP can I disconnect from my current telecom provider?
Yes, the VoIP service can be integrated throughout the premise by
connecting to the existing phone wiring, already in place. Care will
need to be taken to completely disconnect the previous physical telecom's
connection to prevent voltage from being reintroduced from the original
telecom.
Top How is the quality of sound and speech on a VoIP call?
Usually better, but the quality can depend on many factors like
bandwidth, Internet connections over the routed call, and the Codec
being used by the provider.
Top Can I use a credit card machine over my VoIP connection?
VoIP does not support the technology required for these types of
connections as they use a dial up modem. In some cases older machines
that have slower BAUD rates could work, but since your business depends
on completing these transactions dependably you should keep a copper
line for your credit card machine. (There are however newer credit
card machines that can connect using a broadband Ethernet connection
which would not require a copper line.)
Top I have an alarm system; can it be integrated with a VoIP system?
In
some cases, yes, but many alarm companies’ equipment cannot
integrate correctly with a VoIP signal. There can also be the issue
with a power outage, which in many cases will cause a loss of the
Internet connection, resulting in the loss of VoIP service. You should
contact your individual alarm company’s technical support for
exact answers about their services integration with VoIP. Some companies
specialize in a device that uses a broadband connection to connect
to the alarm company, and thus can be used with a VoIP connection.
Top If I loose power will I still be able to make phone calls with VoIP?
Loosing power can cause your Internet connection to go down. If
this happens you will not be able to make calls unless you are equipped
with a back up UPS, which could power the connection for a limited
short duration. Using a UPS to power your modem and VoIP ATA should
allow an Internet connection to be maintained for a short duration
and should suffice for short local outages. For larger outages the
loss of Internet may be more problematic, as for instance a cable
company depends on amplifiers to power some of their equipment. If
those amplifiers loose power then their system will go down in that
area, including both TV and Internet.
Top What is automatic call forwarding on non-registration and how will
it affect my VoIP connection?
Call forwarding on non-registration is a feature that allows incoming
calls to automatically be forwarded to a predetermined number when
your VoIP ATA is not communicating with your provider. For example,
when your Internet connection goes down, either from loss of power
or someone is working locally on the line, and your VoIP connection
is lost, your incoming calls will immediately go to your cell phone.
When the Internet connection resumes and your ATA registers again,
then it will receive the calls, not your cell phone.
Top What is a virtual number?
A virtual number is a second or third phone number that will ring
in on the actual primary number's line. This can benefit callers,
who by dialing a local number to them, connect with your primary
number without having to incur long distance charges.
Top How much bandwidth do I need to have a VoIP connection?
Depending on variables such as the Codec in use, a connection should
have at least 100kbps on both the upload and download. Compressed
Codecs, such as G729 use approximately 38kbps per connection, but
even in these cases a broadband connection is needed for useable
service.
Top Will 911 work with VoIP?
Emergency 911 services should be part your VoIP providers services.
Recent FCC rulings have required VoIP providers to supply E911 numbers
and service. You may want to contact your provider and ask about
their particular service have them check your address for E911 service.
In addition, your provider should have services to update your location
changes.
Top Would being a reseller of VoIP be a good home based business?
If you have technical savvy and like to involve yourself with helping
others by explaining the benefits of advanced communications, then
yes. There are affiliate programs, reseller programs and even wholesale
programs offered by VoIP providers. You may want to do some research
if you are considering selling VoIP as a home based business and
good list of what points to consider when picking a VoIP provider
as a reseller can be found here.
Top I would like to have 5 VoIP numbers. Can more than one ATA be set
up at the same location?
Yes, typically you would need to make sure your VoIP provider supports
multiple ATAs. In most cases, you would need to connect them behind
a NAT router and have the individual lines configured to use their
own SIP port, so they do not conflict with each other. Some providers
may have this capability.
Top Porting of Numbers
What
does “porting a number” mean?
This refers to moving your telephone number from one provider to
another provider.
Top How will I know if I can port my phone number away from my current
provider?
In most cases your VoIP provider may have some experience with your
current telecom, but until the process is started, you may not have
a definite answer. In some cases features that may be included with
your number may have consequences on its portability. Additionally,
the FCC has imposed new rules on interconnected VoIP providers in
the last year that impose stricter policies and mandate more rights
to consumers to keep their telephone numbers.
Top How long does it generally take to move my number?
The traditional process once formally started has taken two weeks
and sometimes even longer, but as new FCC rules have been enacted
the times for ports have become significantly less. Some ports can
happen in just a few days and interconnected VoIP providers are under
more scrutiny to follow FCC mandates. Typically rules have made ports
go quicker, allowed more customer ownership of their numbers and
required VoIP providers to follow stricter LNP rules.
Top Are there now new porting requirements for VoIP?
Important new FCC rules mandates that LNP include VoIP providers.
This ruling states numbers must be able to be ported both in and
out of VoIP providers. And the ruling states that they must be done
within 48 hours. This ruling was mandated in October, 2007, but due
to the complexity of complying in such a short time period the FCC
granted a waiver for companies to comply until 7/31/2008 (*except
for Embarq which had until 9/30/2008 to comply). Further, these FCC
mandates require interconnected VoIP providers to follow LNP guidelines
and not impede a customers right to port their numbers in many cases,
allowing them to port numbers which until these new rules they might
not have been able to.
Top Can I port my DSL phone number and still retain DSL service?
Your
DSL provider may require you to keep an active number with them to
qualify for DSL service. Before porting
your DSL provider’s
numbers make absolutely sure that your DSL service will remain intact.
Some DSL providers will allow "naked DSL" or dryloop, but
the majority do not. If you find that your DSL provider does not,
then you may want to consider keeping that one number with a low
end service to reduce its cost.
Top What is an LOA, and why do I need one?
A LOA or Letter of Authorization is a document that allows a VoIP
provider to request your numbers on your behalf. This LOA would need
to be filled out accurately, signed and faxed to your VoIP provider.
Top Can I port a toll free number or my cell phone number?
You should in most cases be able to port a toll free number, but
typically cell phone numbers are not allowed to be ported. Toll free
numbers take use to take 30 days to complete the port, but now are
more likely to be completed in just a few days.
Top My port request came back denied with an error stating an address
mismatch, how can I correct that?
The best next step is to have your provider that you are porting
to request a CSR. This record shows most of the information needed
and how it should be listed.
Top After my port request was denied I had my new company request a
CSR and it came back with my number listed under my VoIP provider's
name and address, how can this happen?
This can occur if your provider did a bulk port from one carrier
to another. To accomplish this the provider lists many numbers from
various customers and places them all under one name, usually theirs.
The new carrier will then have all the ported numbers listed with
the VoIP provider's name and address.
Top What if after I port my number something that I did not plan on happens
and I need to have my number placed back to the original carrier?
If
this were to happen, depending on the length of time that elapsed,
you can request a "snap back", where the port will go right
back to the original carrier. This usually needs to be done in the
first 48 hours after the port and you would need to initiate the
request. If the length of time is past what would be possible for
a "snap back", a new request would need to be started all
over again by you with the carrier you want to port your number to.
When and if this event which is rare happens, it is due to poor planning
and not considering the ramifications of a port. Such as, porting
a DSL number and loosing Internet, or not realizing your credit card
machine may not work correctly. This is why we have given you information
on planning and suggested some things to consider on our Planning
and Installation pages.
Top |
