Seek Voip

Easily the best thing about VoIP is its low cost. Your only major expense is the VoIP phone or adapter, which your VoIP server can provide. With most VoIP providers, a small, fixed monthly fee will give you unlimited call time to a wide range of areas within and outside your country. Some VoIP services are even free, especially for computer-to-computer calls and software-based phones. Following is a rundown of the costs involved in setting up a VoIP system.

VoIP equipment

VoIP phones

VoIP calls are made through a digital VoIP phone, which connects to your router or modem and uses the Internet connection as its phone line. VoIP phones range from $20 to over $200, depending on the phone's features and reliability.

Analog telephone adapter (ATA)

Before VoIP phones became available, VoIP calls were made from analog phones using an ATA. ATAs convert the voice signals coming from the phone into digital information, so that the computer can divide it into packets and send it over the Internet to its receiver. ATAs cost $25 to $100.

Software-based phones

Alternatively, you can download a virtual phone from the Internet and eliminate the need for the physical maintenance of hardware phones. Softphones, as they are commonly called, have all the controls and features of a VoIP phone, plus a few perks, like instant messaging, webcam, and conversation archiving. Most softphones are free, with a paid premium or pro version available for upgrades. Upgrade versions cost $20 to $180.

VoIP provider subscription

VoIP providers usually charge a fixed monthly fee for a range of subscription packages. Peak and off-peak rates normally do not apply, since the network bypasses the time and distance constraints of traditional land phones.

Local

The lowest-rate VoIP subscriptions are usually limited to calls within the country and some neighboring countries. With most US VoIP providers, economy subscriptions allow calls to Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. Monthly fees for local rates range from $10 to $18, for which you get unlimited talk time or a fixed allowance of about 10 hours.

International

International subscriptions cost from $25 to $50, depending on the range of countries and talk time allowed. From the US, international VoIP calls can be made across North America, the United Kingdom, and parts of Europe and Asia. Basic international subscriptions allow as much as 40 hours of talk time, while rates approaching the $50 mark usually offer unlimited calls.

Individual rates

Network services besides phone calls may be charged separately. Features like answering machine services and video conferencing can be requested from your provider at a small additional fee. Text messages to mobile phones cost 50 to 70 cents. Voicemail services are available as side or separate subscriptions at around $20 for a year's service.