Internet Service Provider

Is VoIP Internet Phone Service Right for You?

admin — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 19:33:11 +0000

Thousands of people each month are subscribing to VoIP service and having their regular telephone line disconnected. Internet phone service is a HUGE deal for us consumers, as it provides us with a super cheap alternative to traditional telephone service, and gives us something very important: CHOICES! Perhaps for the first time in our lives, we are no longer required to use our local phone company for telephone service – isn’t that great?

VoIP is not for everyone, though. There are some requirements and drawbacks to internet phone service that may or may not influence your decision to switch. Most people consider the potential issues associated with VoIP to be minor, and find that the low cost and free features of broadband phone service far outweigh any negatives.

In order to understand the drawbacks of VoIP, it helps to understand a bit about what it is and how it works.

A Brief Introduction to Internet Phone Service

VoIP is the most popular acronym used to describe internet phone service. It stands for Voice Over Internet Protocol, which is a technical term describing a standard set of rules that define how voice signals are transmitted over the internet. Some other common terms used to describe VoIP are “broadband phone service” and “IP phone service”. As the term VoIP implies, INTERNET SERVICE IS REQUIRED in order to use VoIP.

A small device called a “VoIP adapter” is used to perform all of the complex functions required to make it possible for voice signals to be transmitted over the internet. The adapter is connected by network cable to your broadband modem or router, and another cable is directly connected to your telephone. There are other hardware configurations, but this is the most basic one. No phone jacks are required.

During a telephone call, your conversation goes through the VoIP adapter and is routed over the internet to its final destination. This is why VoIP is so inexpensive – it doesn’t rely on the telephone companies expensive network and switches. With VoIP internet phone service, you can call any phone anywhere in the world. The person you are calling does not have to also be using an internet phone.

Potential Issues With VoIP

Although internet phone service looks and acts just like regular phone service, there are some technological differences that can cause issues with your service from time to time.

E911 Dialing is a “must have” for anyone using VoIP as their main phone line. This allows emergency calls to route to the closest 911 dispatch office and identifies your location to the emergency operator. Although in 2005 the FCC mandated that all VoIP companies provide E911 service to all subscribers, not all VoIP companies are offering this yet. It’s important to choose a VoIP provider that has E911 service available in your area – your life could depend on it. You are responsible for keeping your E911 address current in order for this service to work properly. If you move and forget to change your address with your VoIP provider, emergency services will not be able to locate you. A “live” internet connection is required in order to use VoIP, because calls are transmitted over the internet. This can present a problem when your internet service is down. Broadband is also required by most VoIP providers, because internet phone service needs to have enough bandwidth in order to work properly. Be sure you have reliable broadband internet service through a reputable provider if you’re planning on using VoIP as your primary phone. Power is required in order to use internet phone service. Without power, your cable/DSL modem won’t work, and your VoIP adapter won’t work – you will have no phone service. If you live in an area that is prone to power outages, this might be a big issue for you. Existing phone wiring will not work with your new VoIP service unless you make some modifications. Traditional telephone wiring is designed to transmit to/from the phone company switch, not the internet. If you want to use your existing phones and phone jacks with VoIP you need to disconnect and reroute the telephone wire coming into your house. This is a fairly easy task but beyond the scope of this article. If you use an expandable cordless phone system with VoIP however, this totally eliminates the need to fool with any wiring.
Is Broadband Phone Service Right for You?

These are some of the more common issues that you need to be aware of before making the switch to VoIP internet phone service. As with most things, there is usually an easy workaround that can minimize or prevent any problems. With 10 million VoIP subscribers in the United States alone, it’s obvious that the downside of VoIP is not keeping people away. When you consider the tremendous cost savings, free long distance calling and all the free calling features you get with internet phone service, most find that it’s no problem dealing with a few occasional inconveniences.

By: Debbie Jacobsen

Is a VoIP Broadband Phone Service Right For You?

admin — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 11:55:01 +0000

The acronym VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol. It is a modern day technology that allows you to make and receive voice calls using a broadband internet connection instead of the analog phone line. Simply stated, VoIP service converts your voice into a digital signal that travels over the internet. The signal is converted back to regular voice signal before it reaches the end destination.

An active broadband internet connection – be it cable or DSL or wireless – is a pre-requisite for using VoIP service. A VoIP phone or a regular phone connected to VoIP adaptor is also needed. Some VoIP service providers install special software and microphone to enable you to make and receive phone calls to other subscribers in the same network using the computer

There are indeed a number of things that you should consider before deciding whether VoIP service is right for you. The foremost advantage in acquiring VoIP service is the savings in cost. You may finish up saving considerable sums of money, when compared with traditional phone service. VoIp also provides several attractive features like voicemail, decision waiting, call forwarding, and caller ID.

If you seriously intend buying VoIP services, bear in mind there are many providers who will offer you 30 days trial period free. VoIP is indeed gaining in popularity as many business enterprises are unable to pay exorbitant phone bills are turning to the Internet for this service. VoIP services enable businesses to meet all their communication needs at really negligible cost.

VoIp will drastically reduce long distance call costs and it can be a veritable boon if you are an exporter/importer or businessman who needs to frequently communicate with clients or business associates located overseas.

Most VoIP suppliers provide unlimited local and long-distance calling for a comparatively low flat fee. Because a VoIP exchange is based on software rather than hardware, it is a lot more versatile and easier to maintain and VoIP systems are also scalable.

When signing up with a VoIp service provider, you will normally have the option of using your own broadband phone or buying a broadband phone from the provider, or getting a special adapter to connect your existing phone to your broadband connection. You can also choose to make VoIP phone calls using your PC by purchasing a wired or wireless headset.

Another benefit is there are no regulatory fees or special taxes with Internet phone call service. This can mean a significant saving as many traditional phone plans include 20% or more in fees and taxes added to the bill each month.

There are many advantages of VoIP broadband phone service but VoIP also has its share of demerits. Some VoIP-services do not work during main power breakdowns or when the internet connection is down. It will be essential to install a backup power supply or have a mobile phone as a backup, if you want to enjoy undisrupted communication facilities.

The 9-1-1 service provided by VoIP service is also different from traditional phone line. As VoIP phone services can be used from any internet connection, the location of the caller cannot be determined automatically. Therefore, it is important to provide an accurate address to the VoIP provider to contact during emergencies.

By: A. James

A Few Key Considerations About Satellite Internet

admin — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 11:35:23 +0000

So, you have been hearing about the option of getting your broadband internet service through a satellite company instead of the cable provider you may or may not have available in your area, right? Excellent. If you have been paying attention to the satellite internet option then you are quite clearly leaning in a smart direction, and all you need to do really is learn a few more details about this kind of service and the benefits which you can expect from it. Of course, not all satellite providers are the same and policies and benefits may vary to a certain degree from one company to another: however, there are certain general qualities to such services when provided by the leaders in the field-and hopefully you won’t settle for anything short of a leader in the satellite internet industry when you make your purchase! So, below we have listed a few of the main considerations to keep in mind when purchasing a satellite connection to the internet, which hopefully will allow consumers and internet-junkies out there to make an informed (and intelligent) decision as to where to get their connection from:

1. Fast, professional installation. When you subscribe to a satellite internet service, you can rest assured that you will be plugged in within a relatively short period and that all installation procedures will be handled by a certified technician. On average, the waiting period does not last more than two weeks counting from the time the phone or online request was submitted, and for people in urban or suburban areas or places close to the company’s supply center will probably have a much shorter wait. Then, in terms of installation (a process which can make even the most intelligent and handy person cry out of impotence) there is no cause for concern as a pro will take care of it all, needing no more than a few short hours or less to get it all taken care of. (Bear in mind that the architecture of your home or the presence of vegetation in or around your home may pose problems here, so try to tackle these issues before your installer shows up at the door.)

2. Dial-up x50. With your satellite internet service, you will be at least improving your download speeds by a factor of 50 when compared to what you were experiencing with your dial-up connection. Some satellite providers can offer download speeds in excess of 3 Mbps (during non-peak hours, of course) and quite competitive upload speeds as well.

3. Excellent customer service. If there is one thing that sets satellite internet providers (and the satellite industry in general) apart from the competition, it’s the general attention to customer concerns and prompt service which these companies offer. Forget about all the horror stories coming out of the masses of cable customers; stick with satellite if you want to enjoy a superior service and furthermore feel like you are a valued customer, not just another source of income for somebody sitting in an office far away.

By: John R. Harrison

Internet Speed Check Meter – An Overview

admin — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 06:15:08 +0000

The internet, with its unfathomable resources, has become an inevitable part of our daily life. Every imaginable information is stored there and you need to only click a few times to get the relevant data that you require. Broadband connections are becoming as common as television services these days.

It is true that Internet is a big reservoir of information. But all the fun would evaporate if you were not able to download it quickly and efficiently. Some Internet connections tend to be dead slow while some others provide highly satisfactory speeds. Several factors play a direct role on the speed of downloading and uploading. The RAM size of the computer and the plan you have chosen are the most important deciding factors. But proper usage of the connection and proper care during operation can somewhat spruce up the speed.

There are several Internet Service Providers. Their service capabilities, speed and efficiency differ vastly. BSNL, Airtel, Reliance, Tata Indicom, MTNL, Sify, Hathway, ZeeNext and YOU are presently major players. Like every business, they also try to attract customers with lofty words and promises, but more often than not, the speed of the connection is way below your required levels.

Running a Broadband speed check is the only solution to this problem. Speed Check meters are very effective tools to assess the speed of every connection accurately. You can install this software in your computer and check out your Internet connection periodically. Normally, Internet works at optimal speeds, but accumulation of temporary files, lack of cleaning up and running several applications simultaneously can affect the speed to a great extent.

This is where the speed check tool comes handy. They help you not only the speed, but help also make you to do remedial actions and keep your Broadband at optimal efficiency. Every Internet connected computer needs it.

By: Jitesh Arora

Cricket Broadband Vs Sprint & Verizon Mobile Broadband – Which is Better?

admin — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 14:36:00 +0000

Sprint & Verizon have dominated the Mobile Internet field since about 2004.

Wireless Internet Security is Important and Service Dependent

admin — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 11:02:23 +0000

When you setup a wireless computer network, you likely think that your data is secure. You have a firewall on your computer, the latest antivirus software, and filters to help keep spyware off of your computer. In truth, the data coming into your computer is likely very safe. The problem, however, lies in the security of the data leaving your computer as well as the ability of others to gain access to your network. The network provider you have will play a large role in wireless network security, and you should make your decision carefully.

While adding a password to your wireless network is an excellent technique, many people choose passwords that are easy for hackers to determine. Many hackers even have special software that can try a variety of passwords until network access is granted. Combating this can be frustrating and difficult, and still does not provide full protection. One solution that offers many benefits is the purchase of a 4G wireless Internet plan. When you choose to implement a 4G card in your laptop, you will be able to create your own private network that is accessible only to your computer.

Another benefit of installing 4G service is that your data is automatically encrypted when it is transmitted. This helps to ensure that your documents and emails will not be able to be picked up by hackers and will make it safe for you to engage in online banking and bill paying services without worrying that someone will steal your account information. It is an unfortunate reality that there are many people out there whose sole source of income derives from stealing the identities of others using the Internet. Protecting yourself is one of the best things that you can do.

With fourth generation Internet, you will find that you are able to get broadband quality speeds while on the go and while receiving the best security possible. 4G wireless Internet is accessible anywhere within the coverage map and offers the ability to create your own wireless hotspot so that you can even watch movies or surf the web while in a moving vehicle. Average download speeds are between three and five megabytes per second, ensuring that you are always able to enjoy seamless entertainment and rapid downloads.

While 4G service is not available everywhere, you will find that a good provider will offer an array of plans. This will ensure that you can access 3G networks any time that you are out of the 4G coverage zone. Fourth generation Internet offers the best speed and security available for wireless users and provides a large array of benefits. When you need the best web service possible and need to be able to access your files no matter where you are, this is certainly the service for you. Taking the time to learn if 4G service is available in your area will help you learn what you can do to ensure that you always have the best wireless security and service.

By: Laura Williamson

Buyer Beware When Selecting an Internet Provider

admin — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 18:56:24 +0000

The latin proverb warns “let the buyer beware” and another states “the buyer has need of a hundred eyes, the seller of but one”. No statement can be more fitting when choosing an internet provider.

In Canada, the telecommunications market is dominated by two large corporations: Bell Canada and Rogers Communications. This isn’t to say that there aren’t other companies competing for your business, but they don’t have as large a share of the market as these 2 giants. Both companies offer various services and products including phone, cellular, internet, cable, satellite and digital cable to both the individual consumer, small and medium size businesses and corporations.

Currently, there are approximately 800 million people worldwide who have access to the internet. This creates a competitiveness between the two mega powers to be your internet provider. Like the famous Coke and Pepsi wars, Bell and Rogers will fight dirty to get and keep your business. However, one thing has been left behind along the way; the customer.

OK, so this is where the “buyer beware” part comes in. If anything sound too good to be true, it probably is. Yes, they may court you and offer you some sweet deal to entice you. For example, you have never had internet or have used dial up and they would like you to try high speed or even worse, they want you to leave your current company (their competitor) and come over to their side. Offers of discounts, free installation, bundled packages (in Canada, a term for packaging your internet with your cable and phone) and rebates make you confused and say, I’ll give you a try. But this is where they get you! You will be bound to a contract, and breaking it will cost you dearly. There is some great penalty like a 50% cancellation fee for the remainder of your contract. Your contract gets automatically renewed if you haven’t given 30 days notice of cancellation. And you may not even know that you are in a contract at all because they don’t need you to sign anything or tell you that you are even in a contract. Just using the service is consent to being in a contract. They will have you spinning your wheels before or if you ever can get any satisfaction.

So, buyer beware. Ask them, “Am I in a contract and what are the terms?” when they ask for your business or when you go into a Bell or Rogers Centre or when you call them on the phone. Also, before switching from one company to another, tell them you need to find out if you are in a contract with your current internet provider. Remember, they have put the onus on you. It isn’t fair, it isn’t right. But only you can protect yourself and save yourself money and more importantly, many hours or days of grief.

By: Heidi Loney

Even Cheap DSL Service is a Smarter Choice Than Cable

admin — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 17:57:06 +0000

Computers, and even more so, the Internet, have become an integral part of everyday life. Cable Internet and DSL providers have completely changed, even revolutionized, the way we do things. Whether it’s communicating with email, watching the latest movie trailers, or conducting international business, broadband Internet has changed the way we interact with the world.

The speed of Internet connections have come along in the past decade. I remember using dial up service to get online, with it’s annoying dialing sounds, that deafening blare of static, and finally a new, and unreliable, connection to the world. Dial up service promised us a view of thoughts and images from anywhere around the world, as long as it was text, or small graphics. Let’s face it; it was love at first blaring hiss despite the limitations. Then computers started producing better graphics, sound, and even video. To keep up the techies invented broadband. When I got Verizon DSL I could actually talk online with someone in China, for free!

Soon, more methods of connecting became available. We suddenly had cheap DSL service and the more expensive cable modem service. And then the broadband speed hype set in. While DSL offered a plenty fast connection for surfing the web, cable Internet providers were telling us the “super high speed” connection offered with cable modem service was clearly the epitome of what the world desired.

Face it, we live in chaos; constant hustle and bustle. This makes broadband Internet ideal for businesses, schools and even homes. We want what everything and we want it now! And cable Internet providers were going to convince us they had far more “now” than DSL providers offered. I initially bought into the hype and started looking for a cable modem service provider. My research led to me doing, as Napster says, the math; and the math for DSL vs cable modem service makes cable providers look like highway robbers.

A huge downside to cable Internet is the price, which typically runs 43% to 187% higher than its competitors, the DSL providers. Unfortunately, this has not put a damper on cable Internet’s success, and that’s why I’m writing this article. The fact is, much of what we desire the speed for is our online banking so we don’t have to deal with the hectic lines at the bank, or to surf the millions of websites for gifts at the lowest prices possible, or simply to send an email, all of which actually require very little speed. While there is a large advantage to using broadband over dial up service for doing this, there is virtually no advantage to using the highest speed cable Internet connection vs DSL, even at the cheap DSL service speed of 768Kbps, to do the sorts of activities on the web mentioned above.

Cable Internet doesn’t even have that much of an advantage concerning video feeds and downloads. The math, which I deal with in my article, DSL vs Cable Internet [http://www.simpletidbits.com/dsl-not-cable-cost-effectiveness.php], shows that there is very little extra wait, even for extremely large files, using DSL instead of cable Internet. For a glimpse of what I describe, on a huge 25MB file, cheap DSL service of 768Kbps takes only 3.3 minutes longer to download than using a 6.0Mbps cable modem service. And if you are an extremely impatient person that thinks 3 minutes is forever I have two things for you to think about.

First, with 3.0Mbps DSL service you will only wait 1/2 second more for that huge 25MB file than with 6.0Mbps cable modem service.

Second, modern browsers and media players buffer only a portion of large media files before you begin watching or listening. Even with 768Kbps Verizon DSL the extra wait is seconds, not minutes, before you begin to enjoy your downloading media compared to cable Internet.

So, even for those of us who like to view the latest movie trailers or download a music video, we can use cheap DSL service and still enjoy the experience; maybe even more than our cable modem service counterparts considering the extra $28 per month we have for a movie or dinner out.

Don’t believe the commercials being played by cable providers showing people waiting and waiting on their DSL service. It just isn’t true. Read the article linked above and you’ll see you WILL NOT face the burden of a slow connection speed, hindering your placing of a bid fast enough, and causing you to lose an item because DSL service is too slow, like the cable companies want you to believe. These are dilemmas faced with dial up service that none of us with broadband Internet service face; be it cable Internet or cheap DSL service. What is true, based on how much time you actually save, is in the current pricing environment you will pay far more for your cable modem service than it is worth compared to DSL service.

By: J Andrew Morrison

Broadband Satellite Internet Access – Who’s Got the Highest Speeds and Best Service?

admin — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 16:22:59 +0000

More than 30 million people across the U.S. do not have access to high-speed DSL or cable Internet service. Are you one of them? Does that mean you’re stuck with slow, erratic dial-up service?

No. Now you can get high-speed broadband satellite Internet access anywhere in the country, and at a price you can afford.

How does satellite service work?

Instead of sending an Internet signal through your phone line, satellite Internet providers broadcast their signals up to a satellite orbiting in the sky. The satellite then bounces the signal back down to a satellite dish attached to a home or business.

The dish captures the signal and sends it to a modem which decodes the signal and sends it to a computer.

In order to receive satellite Internet service all you need is a clear view of the southern sky, and the necessary equipment which some companies will give you for free.

What are the benefits of broadband satellite Internet service?

* It’s fast – Satellite Internet is up to 50 times faster than dial-up service.
This means you can surf websites as fast as turning the pages in a book, and you can download files, pictures, movies, and music in a fraction of the time it takes with dialup.

* It’s immediate – Satellite service is always on, so you don’t have to spend time logging on and waiting to get on the Internet.

* It’s independent – Satellite service is separate from your phone line. The benefit here is that you won’t miss any more telephone calls. You can take phone calls and talk on your phone while you’re online.

Do I really need broadband satellite Internet access?

The Internet is changing. Websites are using more sophisticated applications that require high-speed access in order to download audio messages, movies, music, and flash files. Without high-speed service it can takes hours, even days, to download these files.

To get the full benefits of the Internet, you need high-speed, broadband service, whether it’s DSL, cable, or satellite service.

Who has the fastest speeds and best service?

Of the four major providers, HughesNet is the fastest, with speeds up to 5Kbps. That’s 50 times faster than 56K dialup service.

Their nearest competitor, WildBlue, offers speeds up to 1.5 Mbps which is 15 times faster than dialup. As for the other two competitors, Skyway also offers speeds up to 1.5 Mbps, and Starband offers speeds up to 1Mbps.

As far as service is concerned, HughesNet has been in business for 31 years, and has more than 400,000 satisfied customers. And they’re the only company that offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Their nearest competitor, WildBlue has been in business 7 years, and does not offer a money-back guarantee.

The Bottom Line

Why be left behind in the digital age? Why not enjoy all the benefits of the Internet by making the switch from dialup to broadband satellite Internet service today?

With prices starting at less than $2 a day, and with a money-back guarantee, how can you go wrong?

By: Brian Stevens

The Disadvantages of Satellite Internet Services

admin — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 19:07:32 +0000

When the area that you are staying does not have any broadband, cables or DSL connections, a satellite Internet service is far a better option than the 56k dial up services. The main priority is to get the faster connection with a higher speed access. Even so, there are a lot of bad reviews out there for those who have subscribed the satellite Internet services.

One of the major problems faced by the subscribers according to the satellite Internet review would be the peak hours and the Fair Access Policies. Fair Access Policy (FAP) or also known, as Fair Use Policy is a policy that limits the bandwidth of a subscriber’s daily usage of the Internet. Do check with the provider on what is the FAP for the plans offered before signing up because the smaller the bandwidth, the less access that you can gain in that Internet service. When the connection is congested during the peak hours, the Internet goes very slow. This happens usually when there are too many people accessing the Internet at a same time and this has been the major drawback from the reviews.

According to the reviews, latency is the second most drawbacks faced by the subscribers. With satellite internet, data signals travel forward and back through the space in a long distance and this will create latency in data sourcing. Subscribers will experience lagging if they are using the voice chat applications, voice over IP service, streaming video or watching movies online or even playing online gaming. To avoid more frustrations with the latency problems, subscribers would prefer to stick just normal surfing or typical emailing when accessing with the satellite internet.

As the data signals travel in quite a distance, any more disturbances between the traveling will make the connection even worse. The weather condition and the location of the disk would be the factors that can worsen the satellite Internet services. Raining, clouds, snow and big winds can contribute to a lost of connectivity and interruptions when the data signal is lost. This could also happen if the disk is not installed in a clear view location to avoid any disturbances.

The next common problem as stated in the satellite internet review, pricing is by far most expensive in comparison with cables or DSL services. In order to enjoy a high speed Internet connection then the 56k dial up access, subscribers need to pay a huge amount of startup and monthly fees. Even so, with all the drawbacks, it has become a necessity to have the high-speed access to Internet; subscribers had to just bear with the troubles they have to face.

By: Dennis Moore Hopkins