Question: I haven’t got much of an idea what I’m looking at, I need to buy a new phone for the house but I’ve seen some which are compatible with VOIP but are expensive, is it worth the extra money.
Any advice on the whole system would be great.
I currently have a BT line and service and Sky TV with broadband package. Most phone usage will be evenings and weekend.
Answer: You don’t need a VoIP compatible phone to use VoIP. You can use a regular telephone that plugs into a VoIP router. Most VoIP companies either charge very little for the router, or offer it free when you sign up for a plan.
One of the disadvantages of having a regular telephone plugged into a VoIP router is that it will be the only phone you can use. The fix for this is to get an expandable VoIP phone base. This is a VoIP phone with the router built in, and makes it possible for you to have multiple handsets throughout your home just like with a landline phone. This is why a VoIP compatible phone can be a bit costly.
There is a way to beat the high price of a VoIP compatible phone though. I highly recommend Packet8 since I use them for both my business phone, and residential. You have a choice to pay monthly, or yearly, and if you get an unlimited calling plan you can get a free VoIP compatible phone expandable up to 10 handsets, or an even nicer one for $19!
The biggest advantage of VoIP phone over a traditional landline is cost. Hands down. For example with Packet8’s Freedom Unlimited plan you can get unlimited local and long distance calling in the US,Canada, Puerto Rico, Guam, US Virgin Islands, France, Italy, Ireland, Spain and United Kingdom, plus unlimited in-network calling to other Packet8 subscribers worldwide for $24.99 a month
There are other VoIP phone services providers with even cheaper calling plans, but in my opinion Packet8 is the best value overall.
Check here for more VoIP phone info.
Tags: telephone vs voip, Voice Over IP VOIP, telepone system, telephone, Telephone Over Ip