Reduce Home Phone Bills
No doubt you have home phone service from your local Bell company, like Verizon or one of the others.
Did you know you can reduce your phone bills by a huge amount? Well we can show you how.
Voice Over IP (VOIP) Overview
VOIP has really come a long way since becoming available several years ago. In fact, most major companies now use it to substantially reduce their phone bills. And you can too.
The idea behind VOIP is simple: instead of using the traditional phone lines, you use an internet connection instead.
Since DSL or cable internet means you are always connected, VOIP can use that connection to the world instead of the traditional phone lines. Even using DSL, which uses you phone lines can use VOIP to reduce costs.
Keep You Phone Number
Today you can take you phone number with you if you move. And that law makes it easy for you to move your phone number to a VOIP provider.
Once you have moved your number, it is yours forever. So moving to another state, if you have VOIP, means that your number can go with you.
I know it sounds like a mistake, but you can have a New York number even if you move to California. In fact, you can add new numbers from any state with many of the services.
If you have kids away at school or an elderly parent, you can get an additional phone number in their area code so calling you is only a local call.
Setting Up a VOIP Service
It only takes about 5 minutes to set up the hardware. You just add the device the company sends you, connecting it to your cable modem.
The longest time is waiting for your home phone number to be moved from your phone company to your VOIP provider. That takes about a week.
While you are waiting for your number to transfer, you are given a temporary number so you can call right away.
International Calling
This is one of the added benefits of VOIP. You will find the VOIP providers offer the lowest rates for international calls. In fact, calls to some countries are even free. Typically call charges to international locations cost 1cent to 10cents per minute.
If you call a lot, you may be able to sign up for a plan that has a low monthly fee, with no other charges, so you can call as much as you want.
Other Options
We already talked about adding lines with area codes from other states. If you have a home business and want to appear like a local business some where else, this is a cheap way to do just that.
Another great feature from some VOIP provider is your own 800 number. For a small monthly fee you can have your own 800 number that anyone in the US can call.