http://www.articletrader.com/ Articles at ArticleTrader en-us http://www.articletrader.com/technology/voip/why-are-phone-cards-better.html http://www.articletrader.com/technology/voip/why-are-phone-cards-better.html Tue, 24 Nov 2009 10:33:01 -0600
Reasons why phone cards are better are briefly explained here.

Cost: A call made through Phone Cards reduces the phone bill by about 50% to 80%. That is a great savings. This great savings is possible because in this Plan, per minute calling rate is very much less, it is in terms of some cents per minute. Apart from this, this is a prepaid calling plan and as such it does not have any hidden cost.

No monthly bills: Since this is prepaid plan, the caller will pay for the value of the card and buy the same. The balance in the card is proportionately reduced for the calls made by the caller. Therefore, the need for monthly bill does not arise at all.

Accessibility: The Phone Cards are easily available with most of the retailers like petrol bunk, grocery shop, pubs, coffee house, hotels, restaurants etc. It is also sold by many retailers in Railway Station, Bus stand etc. If the caller does not have to time to go to any of these places, he can buy it online. In fact, some prefer buying it online because the person will have wide options open and he can select the calling company and calling tariff that is suitable to him. Having bought, calls can be made from any phone; be it phone in his home, office, his mobile phone or even from public calling office.

Refilling the value: Normally, this calling plan will have a validity clause. The balance in such calling plans should be used within the validity period. Thereafter the caller cannot use the balance. But, most of the calling companies give an option to the caller. When the balance reaches a minimum level, he can buy additional calling time or he can buy a new card. In such cases, the balance available in the old card is transferred to the new one and therefore he does not loose any amount. At the same time, the caller has the option to choose a new calling plan from the same company. Even in such cases, the balance available in the earlier tariff plan will gets transferred to the new plan.

Discounts: In order to attract more and more customers, calling companies offer huge discounts to frequent callers. They offer special rates for calls to a particular calling zone. Students residing abroad are given huge discounts.

Caution to be exercised: Before buying any calling plan, the caller has to exercise certain care. First of all, he has to select reputed calling company. He has to ensure the quality of connectivity. He must also ensure that the company has helpline which is easily accessible. It is always advantageous if the helpline is available 24/7 and it should be multilingual too.

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liova shares tips and information on how to make international calls using prepaid phone cards and calling cards. If you're interested in making more calls without spending more on your phone bill, read all his articles.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/technology/voip/how-to-make-long-distance-calls.html http://www.articletrader.com/technology/voip/how-to-make-long-distance-calls.html Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:43:20 -0600
Now, with the introduction of phone cards also called calling cards, people are now more than willing to keep talking to the people at the other end of the globe unmindful of their telephone bill. This is because making long distance calls through phone cards is the cheapest mode of communication. Then the next question is How to make long distance calls?

Buy Phone Card:

To make long distance call, the first requirement is the caller should have a Phone Card. This is available in most of the retail shops which a person normally visits. It could be his news paper distribution agency or the grocery shop where he buys items of daily needs, petrol bunk etc. It could even be bought online. It is purchased like purchasing an item of daily need. All that the caller has to do is to select the Card depending on the tariff plan that is suitable to him. If he purchases it online, then he gets the card through email and he has to take the printout of it.

What is Phone Card?

Briefly speaking, this is a prepaid Tariff Plan which operates similar to a Credit Card. The buyer purchases them by paying certain specified amount to the calling company. Along with the card, the caller is assigned a unique number, also called as PIN number. Whenever the caller dials the PIN number, then he is connected to the toll free calling zone. Thereafter the caller has to dial the required numbers like the country code, area code and the number he wants to call. The caller has the option to register the frequently called numbers with the calling company. By this, whenever the caller wants to call a particular number, all that he has to do is to dial the calling company using his PIN number. Then he is directly taken to the list of registered numbers and the caller can select the number that he wants to call. By this speed dialing system, the caller is instantaneously connected to the required number.

Call through VOIP:

This is yet another most economical communication procedure where the both the caller and the person called will talk through their computers. But, for this communication both the parties should have a computer with internet connection, head phone or a telephone connection linked to the computer etc.

Calling is versatile:

Using the Calling Card, the person can call through the phone in his office, house, mobile phone, telephone of his friend, public telephone office etc. This flexibility is yet another reason why this system of calling has become more popular.

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liova shares many more useful information about calling cards and on making international calls. Hopefully, you will find all of hist articles on making long distance calls interesting and useful.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/technology/voip/how-others-use-voip-to-make-cheap-calls-to-both-india-and-pakistan.html http://www.articletrader.com/technology/voip/how-others-use-voip-to-make-cheap-calls-to-both-india-and-pakistan.html Tue, 27 Oct 2009 07:50:37 -0500
VoIP or Voice over Internet Protocol technology is revolutionising the way we talk to each other. Rather than using a traditional telephone system, VoIP uses the Internet to link you and the person you're calling. To make VoIP calls to India or Pakistan, all you need is a home phone handset, broadband connection and the software or adapter. The real benefit of this system is that because of the way VoIP transmits data, there is no way to specify the origin of the call, so as far as the Internet is concerned, when you make a VoIP call from, say, Birmingham or London, you could be calling Islamabad or Delhi, or you could be calling your neighbour next door. This drives down the price and makes using VoIP incredibly cheap for international calls. So you never again need to worry about calls to Pakistan or India costing the earth.

The best way to get the lowest price for your international VoIP calls is to sign up with a VoIP provider. Once you have subscribed to their service, you will receive a telephone adapter that connects your digital landline telephone to your broadband modem or router. And that's all it involves - you're ready to make calls to India and Pakistan in exactly the same way as you would with a normal telephone system, but much more cheaply because the service uses your broadband rather than your landline. VoIP providers can design your package around your telephone usage. So if you have relatives in India or Pakistan, but you don't need to call the USA or Australia, you can specify which countries you call most often. This means that you will be able to make cheap calls to anywhere in India or Pakistan whenever you want to. The people you're calling don't have to have broadband - they can receive your calls on their standard digital telephone handset, just as before.

Another useful function of VoIP is that you don't have to use your home phone to call India or Pakistan. The number is allocated to the person rather than the actual address, so as long as you have your adapter and access to a broadband connection and a telephone, you can use your VoIP service. Any calls to India and Pakistan are charged to your account, no matter where in the world you call from.

The cheapest way to make VoIP calls is what's known as ‘PC to PC'. As the name suggests, callers use their computers as telephones to speak to each other, using a microphone, speaker and the broadband connection. Although this is the cheapest method of all (free!), it does mean that you are tied to the computer. The person you're calling in India or Pakistan also has to be online at the same time to receive your call. This method does not allow you to make free calls to mobiles or ordinary landline phones - you will be charged by the minute and the costs can quickly mount. The better alternative, particularly if you call certain numbers on a regular basis, is to sign up with a VoIP provider who will be able to offer you a package that includes unlimited cheap calls to India or cheap calls to Pakistan for a fixed, monthly sum. You will also find that the sound quality on VoIP provider's systems is far better: there is no delay or ‘echo' effect, and there is less risk of the connection being interrupted or broken.

During a time of economic recession, when every penny counts, saving money on international calls is worth exploring, particularly if you are looking for a provider who can offer you a package to suit your telephone habits. By using VoIP to make cheap calls to India and Pakistan, you can stay in touch with your family and friends far more easily, and the distance between you and your loved ones will seem that little bit smaller as a result.

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Costas Kariolis - Online Marketing Manager of Vonage UK. Vonage are leading VoIP (Voice over IP) providers for home & small business users. Offering cheap calls to India and cheap calls to Pakistan landlines via an internet phone service for a set monthly fee.

For interviews, quotes, images or comments contact:
Costas Kariolis
Online Marketing Manager
E-mail: theteam@vonage.com

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/technology/voip/everyday-people-and-even-businesses-use-voip-to-make-cheap-calls-to-pakistan.html http://www.articletrader.com/technology/voip/everyday-people-and-even-businesses-use-voip-to-make-cheap-calls-to-pakistan.html Tue, 20 Oct 2009 07:06:08 -0500
Of course, there is email, but that can come across as impersonal. Sometimes, only a phone call will do. If you live in London, and your cousin is celebrating a significant birthday in Islamabad, you probably wouldn't want to just send her an email. This is especially true of business communications: there are certain exchanges for which email will do, but there are other times when it has to involve a phone call. With Pakistan's resurgence as a business supporter and generator across the globe, it's easy to see why telephone communication is becoming such an issue.

Fortunately, developments in communications technology now mean that cheap calls to Pakistan are a reality for friends, family and businesses worldwide. VoIP technology offers convenience and cost-efficiency in one package. Users who decide to take advantage of the cheap calls to Pakistan offered by VoIP service providers typically need three things:

1. a traditional landline or digital phone
2. a broadband connection
3. a VoIP adapter

This adapter connects their ordinary landline telephone to their existing broadband connection. This set-up allows them to then make and receive cheap calls to and from Pakistan. With few wires to maintain and much less paperwork to worry about, VoIP providers are able to keep their costs right down, and pass on the savings to their customers. VoIP calls to Islamabad, Peshawar, Karachi or anywhere else in Pakistan are a fraction of the cost of traditional phone lines. Depending on the call plans the VoIP provider offers, you'll probably be able to make calls to landlines in various other countries for free.

Of course, different VoIP providers offer different benefits. Some may offer a low cost per minute rate to specific countries. Others offer a capped or unlimited subscription fee. You simply work out which country or countries you want to be able to call and pick a package that suits you. Your bill will be capped and include unlimited calls to the countries in that package, no matter how many times you call. This means that you can call much more frequently, at a fraction of the cost of standard phones. It's perfect for friends and family who live in different parts of the world, and vital for businesses that need to stay in touch with international colleagues or clients. At the end of each month, your bill will be the same. If you need to call a country that's not in your call plan, you can do that, too, as VoIP providers can offer international tariffs that are extremely competitive. The best advice for potential customers is to shop around.

Another major breakthrough of VoIP services is call manageability. This means that there are many more ways you can keep track of any calls you make to Pakistan, or anywhere else, thanks to the extra web-based services that VoIP offers. For instance, you can set up your account to reject anonymous calls, forward calls to another number your mobile, for example, return calls alert you to a call waiting. So you'll never miss an important call from family or clients in Pakistan. You can manage all these features from your web based control panel, which means that you have full control over your VoIP line, no matter where in the world you are.

With the cost of International calls climbing, it's probably just a matter of time before we all turn our backs on conventional telephones and use VoIP to make all our calls.

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Costas Kariolis - Online Marketing Manager of Vonage UK. Vonage are leading VoIP providers of cheap phone calls for home & small business users. Offering cheap calls to Pakistan landlines via an internet phone service for a set monthly fee.

For interviews, quotes, images or comments contact:
Costas Kariolis
Online Marketing Manager
E-mail: theteam@vonage.com

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/technology/voip/finding-a-good-small-business-voip-provider.html http://www.articletrader.com/technology/voip/finding-a-good-small-business-voip-provider.html Thu, 15 Oct 2009 06:16:15 -0500
VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is just such an opportunity. For business users, the advent of this new technology opens up new possibilities and new ways to save a considerable amount of money at the same time. Unlike most new technology, VoIP doesn't require any additional equipment to install. All you need is a PC and a broadband connection. Unlike traditional phone systems, VoIP uses the Internet to connect between PCs on the same system, allowing you to make and receive calls on your computer. If you use a VoIP provider, that range is expanded to allow you to make VoIP calls using a traditional hand-held phone, thus improving the quality of the calls. It also means that your recipient doesn't have to have VoIP at their end, which is a step up from the early PC-to-PC only VoIP systems.

VoIP works in a unique way. It breaks down the voice into transmitted digital data packets and then sends it through your broadband connection in the same way as it sends all other data. The result? Cheap instant calls that save your business money. VoIP can be used in any size organisation, making it applicable for both small and medium business users. If you are looking to break into a foreign marketplace and this involves a high volume of calls with potential clients or suppliers, business VoIP may be the best way of maximising your international business contact potential without increasing your expenditure. Because VoIP uses the Internet to send calls, the location of your original call is irrelevant, as the proximity to the destination cannot be determined, thus avoiding the long distance charges that would normally be incurred on a traditional landline.

Business VoIP has one big advantage if your location is part of a network of outlets that are all part of the same company. By using business VoIP, you can call anyone within that network regardless of their location by simply dialling the appropriate extension number. Business VoIP also offers customers standard features such as voicemail, call forwarding and caller ID as well as additional features such as softphone support and outlook integration.

You do have to consider a few external factors before rushing to install VoIP as part of your business communications package, however. VoIP runs through your Internet broadband connection so you must ensure you have sufficient bandwidth, although VoIP providers do not require substantial amounts of bandwidth, some even allow you to dictate how much bandwidth you would like to dedicate to your VoIP calls. Power outages can also interfere with the operation of the system, so it may be worthwhile thinking about a UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supply) system if one hasn't already been installed.

VoIP is quickly establishing itself as a fast, efficient and cheap way of making phone calls. It makes sense that businesses, still struggling in the grips of a worldwide recession, should take every opportunity to make their business as efficient as possible. Talking to a VoIP provider and discussing your business needs is the first step in a small investment that could garner big savings as your business grows. It also means that you'll be able to make international calls without worrying about the cost. And it could be that one international call that propels your company onto the global stage.

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Costas Kariolis - Online Marketing Manager of Vonage UK. Vonage are leading VoIP providers for home & small business voip users. Offering cheap international calls and free international calls to landlines via an internet phone service for a set monthly fee.

For interviews, quotes, images or comments contact:
Costas Kariolis
Online Marketing Manager
E-mail: theteam@vonage.com

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/technology/voip/nigeria-phone-cards.html http://www.articletrader.com/technology/voip/nigeria-phone-cards.html Tue, 13 Oct 2009 09:38:33 -0500
There was a time when making international calls to Nigeria was unheard of but the concept changed when the prepaid cards came to dominate most of the international calling scenario. Since prepaid cards charge different rates for different countries the rates pertaining to Nigeria if the call is made from western countries is unique to the Nigeria phone cards only and cannot be availed on the prepaid phone cards of other countries. The Nigeria phone cards are similar to the phone cards of other countries in terms of their usage and features and therefore the method of calling also remains the same. Hence a person making an international call to Nigeria through a phone card would begin by dialing the Access Code. The next number which follows is the PIN which is a unique feature of every card. The sequence of numbers is the exit code (00 or 011), the country code (which is 234 for Nigeria), the area code (which is different for every city) and the local Nigerian number respectively.

There are various advantages in using Nigeria phone cards in order to make a call and some of them are listed as follows:

- Being a West African nation Nigeria is yet to catch up with the advancements made in the field of telecommunication and therefore the standard telephone services are often unreliable and of poor quality. A person relying on these services would probably end up wasting money on a call in which not only is he unable to convey but also unable to hear properly what is being said. In these circumstances, a prepaid phone card is the best possible alternative.

- Nigeria has only few telephone offices in which calls can be received or made from and therefore these offices always consist of a long queue which seldom disappears. If a person has a prepaid phone card then the time and the hassle involved in waiting in the long queues is completely avoided.

- The international calls made with the help of prepaid phone cards can be easily monitored and controlled because there is a team of accountants and operators who keep track of the credit limit of the card as well as the number of times it is refilled. Due to this transparent system the caller making a call to Nigeria is sure to get his money's worth in terms of time as well as the quality of communication.

- The prepaid phone card is a better option compared to a land-line phone for traveling business executives who are interested in making calls to Nigeria because they can be easily accounted for and can be used from anywhere.

- The Nigeria phone cards do not have any hidden charges as well as connection fees due to which the rates at which calls are made are extremely reasonable and reliable in addition to being comparable to the domestic rates.
Therefore, Nigeria phone cards represent one of the best forms of communication.


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liova writes about phone cards, calling cards and making international calls. If you're interested in any of these things, check out the sites linked above for great quality phone cards.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/technology/voip/use-prepaid-phone-cards-and-save-on-international-calls.html http://www.articletrader.com/technology/voip/use-prepaid-phone-cards-and-save-on-international-calls.html Tue, 06 Oct 2009 08:14:00 -0500 Gone are the days when international calls were the privilege of the rich and the wealthy because of the exorbitant costs involved in making such calls. This is because the standard phone services used to charge a fortune in the name of an international call and as a result these calls were not affordable by a large majority of people. This fact underwent a complete change when the system of prepaid phone cards was introduced for making domestic as well as international calls. Since the domestic call rates were already low, the phone cards did not have much impact although the swing in the market is favorable towards the use of prepaid cards. But in the case of international calls it was observed that the difference in charges between calls made through the standard service and the calls made with the use of prepaid cards was sometimes as much as 50%. Due to this reason, the use of prepaid phone calls in the field of international calling increased dramatically and over a period of time has captured maximum portion of the market pertaining to international calling.

An individual who wishes to use prepaid phone cards for making international calls should be aware that such calling cards have the following features:

- International calling cards may be disposable or rechargeable and as the name suggests, the disposable cards can be used only once after which they should be discarded and the rechargeable calling cards can be recharged after the time is over by paying the amount again.
- These cards usually come with a PIN which is used as a protective measure but PIN-less international calling cards are also available.
- The mode of payment for the prepaid phone card depends upon the conditions laid down by the service provider and payment can be made either by making use of the prepaid credit system or by using one's credit card.
- Many of the prepaid cards have the system of facilitating multiple payments for each of the caller's requirements like separate accounts for domestic calls, international calls and long distance calls and this turns out to be an easier method of making payment.
- Every international calling card has a different denomination and this depends upon the package which is chosen by the caller.

Prepaid phone cards are the best way to make international calls because they help the caller to attend to the requisite reasons at low and affordable rates and thus save a lot of money in the long run. Moreover the variety of choice enables the caller to choose a card which is most suitable for his requirements. An international calling card with a stored value has a prepaid amount and calls can be made by using this card for as long as this amount lasts. A remote memory calling card has a toll-free number which should be dialed every time the caller wishes to make an international call. Thus, a caller who wishes to economize on international calls must seriously consider using prepaid phone cards for the purpose.

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liova writes articles about using prepaid phone cards and calling cards. Explaining the does and don'ts, he makes a real contribution to helping people pick the best phone cards for them. this way, international calls are more and more affordable. for a great resource of phone cards, visit http://www.nobelcom.com/ .

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/technology/voip/what-are-ip-phones.html http://www.articletrader.com/technology/voip/what-are-ip-phones.html Tue, 29 Sep 2009 10:17:28 -0500
An IP phone is an Internet Protocol phone. It allows the user to communicate over IP networks such as Internet or Intranet connections, rather than using the more traditional phone system. A traditional phone transfers the communicators' voices through a ‘circuit switching' method. In this scenario, the caller and receiver are connected through a continual electrical circuit. Voice transfer using this method is relatively slow as the data is transferred in large amounts in one go, often resulting in a slight sensation of a ‘delay' or even an echo effect. With long distance calls, there is also the problem of call interruption or even disconnection, particularly if the circuit cannot cope with the volume of data being transferred.

The IP phone is different. This system uses a ‘packet switching' system where an analogue voice signal is converted into digital data packets, which are much smaller in size than the more traditional circuit switching packets. These data packets are then sent individually through the Internet to the receiver and reassembled in order and converted back into voice. This has two major advantages. Firstly, it makes the whole process much quicker, with less chance of the datastream failing half way through and breaking the connection. It also makes it much more secure as the individual data packets are not reassembled until they reach their destination, preventing hackers or eavesdroppers from listening in on the conversation or extracting sensitive data.

An IP phone can be used anywhere in the world, as long as you have an Internet connection. This takes away the constraints of the traditional phone and all the receiver needs is a normal phone to accept the call - there is no need for an Internet connection or even a compatible IP phone to be able to receive an IP phone call.

The primary reason that people are now starting to take IP phones seriously is the cost. Voice over IP is considerably cheaper than traditional calls, particularly if you are making long distance calls. Because the use of the Internet connection means that the actual location of the call is untraceable, long distance charges cannot and do not apply. The only additional expenditure is the one-time installation of IP hardware and software to be able to access the system. If you decide to go through a VoIP provider, a capped monthly charge (usually considerably less than conventional landline phone packages) will give you unlimited calls to selected destinations worldwide. Because you are only actually paying for the Internet connection rather than the phone call itself, the end cost is far lower and is particularly useful if you do business with companies abroad or have family and friends overseas.

The only disadvantage of IP phones is that they may not be able to penetrate some Internet firewalls. So if you are planning to make a VoIP call to another IP recipient, it may pay to check via email first that the call will be allowed through your recipient's firewall system. Also remember that IP hardware, working on a domestic power supply, requires some sort of power backup system in case of a power outage (which would instantly disconnect your call). A personal UPS (uninterrupted power supply) may be a worthwhile investment if you intend to use VoIP technology on a frequent basis.

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Costas Kariolis - Online Marketing Manager of Vonage UK. Vonage are leading VoIP providers for home & small business users. Offering cheap voice over ip phone calls to landlines via an internet phone service for a set monthly fee.

For interviews, quotes, images or comments contact:
Costas Kariolis
Online Marketing Manager
E-mail: theteam@vonage.com

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/technology/voip/voice-over-ip-voip-and-how-to-use-it-to-make-cheap-international-calls.html http://www.articletrader.com/technology/voip/voice-over-ip-voip-and-how-to-use-it-to-make-cheap-international-calls.html Tue, 29 Sep 2009 10:03:30 -0500 Voice over IP) is the new, technological answer to cheap international phone calls. All you need is a PC or regular home phone, broadband and a desire to save some money.

The advent of email has completely changed the way people communicate. Rather than having to wait for days or even weeks for a letter to arrive, an email allows you to read almost instantly a message from the other side of the world. VoIP could be considered to be the next step on this road - a ‘verbal email', if you like. And in the same way that emails are almost free (you still have to pay for the Internet connection, but it means that emails cost a fraction of a penny to send), so VoIP offers you the opportunity to make virtually free phone calls over the Internet. If you sign up to a VoIP provider that offers low-cost monthly call plans, then the limitations placed by the free providers on the duration or number of calls you can make is removed, allowing you to talk for as long as you want and still save money.

The usual system of ‘PC to PC' VoIP calls enables you to make free international calls, but you are tied to a PC to be able to utilise this service. Both you and the person you are calling will need a computer or laptop, a broadband connection, a headset, microphone and speaker and an account with a VoIP provider. This system is fine for most people, but it does have its limitations. Apart from being tied to the computer, you and your recipient both need to be signed up to compatible providers. Because free VoIP is independent of your traditional landline service, VoIP calls have to be PC to PC calls - you can't just pick up the phone and dial any number. You can use the service to call other landline or mobiles, but you will be charged by the minute for those calls in the same way as a standard phone call.

Using VoIP to call abroad also takes a little bit of forward planning, particularly if there are major time differences. You will need to make sure that both you and your recipient are at your PCs at the same time, so it's back to good, old-fashioned emails. The technology for making VoIP calls is still in its infancy and while the provision is excellent, PCs and laptops still have fairly archaic microphones installed in them, so the quality of the call may be less than that you would get with an ordinary phone or mobile.

However, if you can navigate your way around these slight drawbacks, using VoIP is one of the cheapest ways of making international calls. There is also the option of signing up with a VoIP provider who can offer you a paid call plan. This gives you the flexibility of being able to make calls using a traditional home phone instead of having to use a PC. The VoIP provider will send you an adapter that allows you to plug the base of your normal handset into your router, giving you the technology to make phone-to-phone calls. However, instead of going through your normal landline connection, the call goes through your broadband link. The quality of the call is vastly improved and the recipient can take your call using a normal telephone instead of having to link into their PC.

Packages range in price and how much you pay depends on the call plan you select. If you have family in the USA or Canada but don't need to call Australia, then you can select a package that allows you to make unlimited calls to your chosen countries for a capped amount each month. If you have family and friends abroad or call particular countries on a regular basis for your business, this really is the cheapest way to make unlimited international calls to your chosen destination and prevent your monthly phone bill from spiralling out of control. VoIP is one of the best methods of modern communication and the age of the ‘verbal email' is definitely here.

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Costas Kariolis - Online Marketing Manager of Vonage UK. Vonage are leading VoIP (Voice over IP) providers for home & small business users. Offering cheap international calls and free international calls to landlines via an internet phone service for a set monthly fee.

For interviews, quotes, images or comments contact:
Costas Kariolis
Online Marketing Manager
E-mail: theteam@vonage.com

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/technology/voip/voip-security-why-voip-providers-are-more-secure.html http://www.articletrader.com/technology/voip/voip-security-why-voip-providers-are-more-secure.html Tue, 29 Sep 2009 09:57:11 -0500
Using a VoIP provider gives you more of a measure of security than relying on freeware systems available on the Internet. The primary defence mechanism of any computer is the firewall. Providing a barrier between your computer or network and security threats such as hackers and viruses, a firewall offers a degree of protection that filters data going in and out of your network. As VoIP works by breaking voice messages into digital data, a standard firewall installed in your PC may not be enough to offer you full protection. VoIP providers have much more stringent firewalls installed on their main servers, which protects the entire network and all machines linked into that network. This is one of the primary reasons why, if you're serious about using VoIP on a regular basis, it's best to sign up with a bona fide VoIP provider such as Vonage.

Passwords are an essential part of Internet life, and VoIP should be considered as no different to any other secure operation you carry out on your computer. Authentication is the best way to ensure that those using the system are authorised to do so and that you don't have any unauthorised access to your system. Unfortunately, very few VoIP providers actually have this facility, so it's best to hunt around for providers that do offer you this additional layer of protection.

You should also enquire if your VoIP provider offers an encryption service. If a data packet (the broken down information that flies across the ether) is intercepted by a third party, it is of no use whatsoever to them if they can't read it. An encryption facility secures the data by changing it into an unintelligible form which is translated or decrypted at the receiving end, making sure that your VoIP call is as secure as possible. Again, your VoIP provider should be able to tell you if they offer an encryption service to paying customers.

Without a rethink and some serious security protocol implementations, VoIP will find it difficult to make inroads into the lucrative commercial market. It is this aspect that VoIP providers are now focusing their efforts on, rather than the clarity of calls, for example. VoIP security needs to be addressed as part of the overall context of Internet security. At present, private branch exchanges (PBX) are replaced by server-based IP PBXs running on the ubiquitous Microsoft Windows operating system. This system has shown itself to be vulnerable to attack from hackers and an attack on a VoIP server could result in the loss of potentially sensitive data. Therefore, it is important that equipment is properly protected, and the best way for the individual user to have this assurance is to use a legitimate VoIP provider.

VoIP gateways are potentially one of the weakest links in the chain. When VoIP is used on an external network, gateway technology converts the data package from the IP network into voice before sending them over a public telephone network. The concern is that at this point, VoIP can be hacked by unscrupulous users to gain access to free calls. The trick to prevent this lies, once again, through password protection and making sure that the gateway is configured in such a way as to ensure that only people with the correct access codes are permitted to make and receive VoIP calls.

All of these weaknesses within the system are best addressed by using a dedicated VoIP provider who has the appropriate firewalls, authorisation and encryption facilities to make sure your data is as well protected as possible. There will always be a number of determined hackers who may attempt to access VoIP calls, but minimising the possibility by placing your trust in an experienced and professional provider is the best way to thwart all but the most determined of attacks.

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Costas Kariolis - Online Marketing Manager of Vonage UK. Vonage are leading VoIP providers for home & small business users. Offering cheap VoIP phone calls to landlines via an internet phone service for a set monthly fee.

For interviews, quotes, images or comments contact:
Costas Kariolis
Online Marketing Manager
E-mail: theteam@vonage.com

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]>