Once you determine that VoIP works, you can take the next step—there are a number of companies that can provide you with the basic equipment to set up VoIP using your regular house telephone. And what’s terrific about VoIP is that your telephone bill will be lower than the one you are paying now.
Lower phone bill
“Generally, older people don’t use their home phones a lot, yet they are still paying the same amount,” says Brian Lustig, public relations director at SunRocket, a major residential VoIP provider.
“They can save upwards of $500 per year by switching to VoIP. And the transmission quality is getting better every day as the industry matures,” he adds.
Caveat: VoIP is a relatively new technology, and some people who have made the switch from their traditional phone service have expressed concerns about the quality and reliability of their calls, as well as customer service.
How you use your telephone—and how often—is a great place to start.
Determine how many calls you make each month, and if they are they local or long-distance. If you are paying for a separate line to connect to the Internet, you should explore plans that provide much better service at a lower price than the dial-up plan you are now using.
So many options—now what?
In most markets, a large number of calling plans are available. For example, you may be able to make both local and long-distance calls for a set monthly fee. If you make a lot of long-distance calls, this might be the best plan for you.
On the other hand, if you make few long-distance calls, a prepaid phone card may be your best choice. Or, you might consider a so-called “dial-around” service that allows you to make long-distance calls without subscribing to a long-distance service. With it, you dial about seven digits before dialing the number you want to reach.
If you carry a cell phone primarily for emergencies, a prepaid plan may be your best bet. If you use your cell phone more often, understand it’s not like your home phone, because you pay for both the calls you make and those you receive. And all calls—local and long distance—cost you by the minute. What’s more, you must commit to a certain number of minutes each month, even if you do not use them.
Many plans offer free long-distance calls after a certain hour each evening. If you can make most of your long-distance calls at night, that kind of plan may be your best choice. Furthermore, since your long-distance calls at night are free, you might consider using your cell phone instead of your house phone.
If it’s any consolation, most people think that telephone service is much more complicated than it needs to be. That may be true, but if you take the time to understand how you use your telephones, there is a plan to fit your needs, and savings are sure to result.