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November 23, 2004 09:21 PM

The Pitfalls of VOIP


Excerpt: Nonetheless, VoIP offers some real benefits. If you spend a lot of time on long distance, for instance, and can accept its shortcomings, you can save money.


Using your computer and Internet connection to make local and long distance calls has been getting a lot of attention lately. People are enticed by the savings offered by Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and the ability to use a regular telephone. Before you jump on the bandwagon, consider the drawbacks.

Most VoIP providers charge a monthly fee of $20 to $30 for unlimited local and long distance calling anywhere in the U.S., and sometimes Canada. You also receive a host of features that would normally cost extra, such as call forwarding, voice mail, caller ID and call waiting.

There are enhanced features, too. Many providers will forward your voice mail to an e-mail account. There is a super version of call-forwarding that forwards calls to five or so different phones. It will ring them one at a time or all five simultaneously.

Although VoIP is still in its infancy, there are a number of companies providing service, such as AT&T, Packet8, VoicePulse and Vonage. The quality is better than a cell phone and often matches traditional phone service. But there is a potential for dropouts similar to a cell phone.

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Financial Resolutions - Dec 11, 2004
IBM Cash Balance Plan Ending - Dec 09, 2004
John Snow Staying On At Treasury - Dec 09, 2004
Topping Off the Biggest Gas Tank - Dec 07, 2004
What To Do With A Dud Gift - Dec 07, 2004
Putting Your Financial House In Online Order - Dec 07, 2004
Social Security Reform: A Guide - Dec 06, 2004
The Disparate Consensus on Health Care for All - Dec 06, 2004
Giving Children Funds As Gifts - Dec 05, 2004
Bank Machine Dispenses Fake Money - Dec 02, 2004
Account Aggregation: All-In-One Convenience - Dec 01, 2004
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A Seal Of Good Giving - Nov 28, 2004
More Are Saying It With Plastic: Gift Cards The Holiday Present Of Choice - Nov 26, 2004
Use Open Enrollment To Review Health-Insurance Plan - Nov 25, 2004
Business Airfares, Down 11%, Might Be Lowest Ever - Nov 22, 2004
International Lottery Scams - Nov 22, 2004
Work-at-Home Schemes - Nov 22, 2004
Medical Billing Opportunities: Worth a Second Opinion - Nov 22, 2004
The Lowdown on Chain Letters - Nov 22, 2004
The Bottom Line About Multilevel Marketing Plans - Nov 22, 2004
Get-Rich-Quick & Self-Employment Schemes - Nov 22, 2004
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