#1 - Skype

 

Skype offers a variety of Voice Over IP services. The basic service is free of charge and offers users the ability to talk to other Skype users anywhere in the world. The quality of the calls is pretty good. Generally cell phone quality. Additionally Skype offers several pay plans. These include pay as you go and more complete packages typically found with companies like ViaTalk or Vonage. The big advantage that Skype offers besides it's Free service is the ability to build a custom plan that meets your needs. Use of Skype is not just limited to individual users, companies also use Skype as a low cost business communication solution. A complete list of services and equipment available through Skype is available from the link below.

 

- Free (With restrictions)

- Numerous plan options

- Tech Savy (Linux/Mac friendly)

- Reasonable call quality

 

 

Skype Store USA

 

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#2 - Via:Talk

 

Via:Talk is more typical of your Voice Over IP service companies. It offers several plans to meet customer's needs. Each plan has a different cost structure. At the time of this write up Via:Talk is offering a $199 deal for two years of service. That price point on a per month cost basis is roughly $8.00 a month (not including taxes and other fees). The deal also includes two phone numbers. This probably a lot less than you are paying for your current phone service. VOIP is a good choice for cable subscribers or those who want cheap long distance or a 2nd or 3rd line. Keep in mind this works just like a real phone and you get a phone number that people can call you on. Free Skype does not provide you a phone number. Some of the features that are offered by Via:Talk include:

 

- E911 *

- Call Waiting

- Voicecmail

- Caller ID

- Local Phone Numbers

 

*(A simulated 911 service that allows you to register your VOIP number so 911 can be contacted if you have an emergency.)  

 

ViaTalk

 

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#3 - lingo

 

Ok, let's take a look at another internet phone service "Lingo". Lingo is a good alternative when looking at a Voice Over IP soloutions for the home. Pricing is not as good as Via:Talk but Lingo does offer a couple the unique benefits.  Pricing is comparable to other consumer VOIP services such as Vonage, Comcast or Verizon (These service did not make the top 4 list) . Lingo's primary consumer product is called Chatter Box. The true cost for the Chatter Box service including fees is $226.04 per year as listed on the Lingo website. This is reasonable when you consider that it inlcudes unlimited Long Distance to 22 countries. This is a nice feature if you make a lot of international calls. The full list of avialable services and products can be found by visiting the Lingo website below.

 

- Lingo 911 *

- Call Waiting

- Voicecmail

- Caller ID

- Local Phone Number

 

*(A simulated 911 service that allows you to register your VOIP number so 911 can be contacted if you have an emergency.)  

 

Lingo.com
 

 

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#4 - Voip.com

 

Finally there is Voip.com, which has a great name for an internet phone company. The services offered by Voip are not as strong as some other companies but pricing is reasonable for the services provided. The basic services are similair to Via:Talk and Lingo. Voip.com does not have that one overiding benefit that makes it better than any other internet phone service but it competes well on price and quality of call with some better known companies. It has many of the standard features of the big boys. Check out the link below to learn more... dig explore and compare. 

 

Voip.com