What to Look for in a VOIP Provider Voice Over IP (VoIP) has changed the telecom industry forever. In the past, phone service was more or less a monopoly. In each geographic area, one or two telecom providers were the only choices consumers had. If their call quality was poor, if their prices were too high, if their customer service was bad, there wasn't much you could do. VoIP phone has changed all that. Today, you have hundreds of phone providers to choose from. So how
do you make a choice? Assess Your International Calling Needs One of the biggest reasons people sign up for VoIP is because of reduced international calling rates. Making international calls doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg. When data is streamed via internet rather than phone lines, the costs of connecting internationally are far, far lower. Start by making a realistic estimate of how much international calling time you'll need. Use your previous month's phone bill as a gauge. Then make sure the plan you're buying can support your international needs at an affordable rate. Read Reviews of Phone Quality Read reviews by other VoIP users to see what kind of call quality they're experiencing. Some providers are able to offer extremely low rates only because they sacrifice on call quality. That's not the kind of provider you want to work with. Features: Included or Extra Cost? Look at the different features that come with your VoIP package. Do they have all the phone capabilities you're looking for? Many VoIP providers will charge extra for: •
Call Holding
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Speed Dial
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Call Forwarding
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Call Blocking
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Visual Voicemail
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*69 Return Calling
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3-Way calling
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Etc
Look for a VoIP provider that provides these kinds of features for free. VoIP providers that try to nickel and dime you on every feature are also more likely to have hidden fees in your contract. Customer Service & Guarantee How's the customer service of your service provider? No matter how great their service is, chances are, at some point you're going to have to call customer service. Often time's when you need to reach out to customer support, you'll be in a hurry. Your phone system might be down or you might need immediate technical assistance. That's why it pays to make sure you have a high quality provider right from the beginning. Look for providers who've won customer service awards. Also look for satisfaction guarantees. Providers who're willing to back their promises with guarantees are more likely to take care of their customers when it really matters. These are some of the most important things to look for when you're deciding on a VoIP provider. As you're making your decision, make sure you factor in future usage. Don't just buy based on what you're using today. Factor in the growth of your company and where you think your usage needs will be in a few months.