Finding a VOIP provider that will suit you can be quite a tedious task. So do yourself a favor and educate yourself first before making a choice. I listed down some important factors you need to consider when choosing a VoIP provider.
One of the first things you need to consider is the monthly costs. Remember that a VOIP provider might help you save up to 75% on your telephone/long distance expenses. Since there loads of VoIP providers in the market, it’s a good idea to shop around first.
Another factor to consider is the VoIP Product Feature. Since not all VoIP providers are created equal, seeing what each of them has to offer will only benefit you. There are some providers who offer more features compared to the others. For instance additional features like Call Waiting, 3 Way Calling, and others are included along with the VoIP monthly cost. Unlike in the traditional phone companies, who charges an additional of about $5/month for each feature. So if you are shopping for a VoIP provider, make sure that you compare each provider by the features they offer as well as by their monthly price.
It factor you should consider is keeping your number. There are providers who will allow you to transfer (port) your current phone number to the VoIP service while others do not. However, it is not advisable for you to switch your home number to the VoIP service right away. You should try out the service first and then see if you are satisfied before you have your current number switched. Remember that if you have DSL service, you have to retain a phone number with the service provider of the DSL since the DSL service is provided over that telephone line. Now if you do not want to keep your current phone company altogether, then you should consider using a Cable Internet Service Provider instead.