Tag Archives: voip

A VoIP Scorecard

by Stuart Zipper

The June issue of Consumer Reports just landed in my mailbox (I don’t even ask any more why the June issue of a magazine shows up in the first week of May), with the front cover heralding an article that promises to show readers how to “Cut your bills for Internet, TV & phone.” Given my professional interest in VoIP phone service, it should be no surprise that I instantly devoured the article.

It took no more than a quick look at their ratings to reveal what almost any VoIP user already knows – the traditional landline is fading fast. Consumer Reports rated 25 phone service providers. Five of the seven companies at the bottom of the list are traditional landline providers. Six of the seven companies at the top of the list are VoIP companies. No, make that seven out of seven – the magazine lists Verizon, number four on its list, as delivering phone service over fiber and skips the highly salient detail that it uses VoIP protocol over that fiber.

The Consumer Reports article focuses almost entirely on home phone services – it doesn’t rate Phone.com or its competitors who focus on VoIP business phone service, for everything from the small office/home office (SOHO) market to small enterprises. Personally, I consider that an oversight given the large number of at least part-time telecommuters and those who work out of home offices (such as myself) who probably read the magazine.

But Phone.com does offer home phone services, so I decided to do a little comparison myself. I took Consumer Union’s top rated “pure play” VoIP provider (i.e. a company that does not provide its own broadband or TV service) and compared it to Phone.com (actually I did skip one top-rated VoIP provider because they don’t provide small business service). The price they charge comes to $311.88 per year, and only if you sign a one-year contract, which Consumer Reports advises against if at all possible. That compares to $238.56 for highly similar VoIP home phone service from Phone.com, no 12-month commitment needed.

I also couldn’t resist peeking at the small business plans available – it does cost more to buy VoIP business phone service, but you get more, starting with two lines of service. At Phone.com, including an unlimited calling extension and those two lines, the price per year is $381.12.  A similar configuration at Consumer Reports’ top-rated pure play VoIP company is $599.88, and I noted that Consumer Reports figures that company’s pricing “above average” in value.

A final point I found of interest, was that Consumer Reports said 24 percent of those it surveyed don’t have home phone service at all – neither VoIP or conventional landline. The obvious conclusion is that those folks rely on their cell phones exclusively, and I know from experience that even includes some small business users, particularly “road warriors.” That’s all very well and good, but such a decision comes with what I consider some really significant caveats. The first is that you better not be making international calls on those cell phones – not at the up to $4.99 per minute cell phone carriers charge for what should be an 11 cents call. The second is that only one member of a family, or of a small business team, can get a call. But people may be calling to speak to anyone available. The solution, I constantly recommend to people, is either sign up for virtual phone service where calls to a single number can be redirected to many other numbers, or get at least basic VoIP service, which similarly allows redirection of calls.

 

Stuart Zipper is currently a contributing editor to Communications Technology, a high tech business journalism consultant and freelancer, and the past Senior Editor of TelecomWeb news break.

Block And Unblock Calls With *9

by Jeb Brilliant

At Phone.com we pride ourselves on having top notch customer service, I was in a meeting last week talking about common customer service questions and our Call Blocking feature came up.  Customers want to know how to block incoming callers (typically spammers).  We have a solution that it seems like many people don’t know about.  It’s *9, when you dial * (star) 9 during a call that you receive the number will be placed in a blocked list.  This number can never call you again, unless you unblock them.  

This means that next time you get a call about refinancing your home or lowering your car insurance, you can just dial *9 and never hear from those people again.  Keep in mind this will only work for callers with exposed caller ID.  

This feature is active and available on all our calling plans.  If you accidentally block someone you can just dial *9 again and unblock them.  If you want to block or unblock a call after it’s over you can easily go to your control panel.  Select Settings then Call Blocking.  Select the number you want to unblock from the Spam Caller List and click on the Trash Can image all the way to the right of the number.  If you want to add a number to the blocked list you can click Block all the way to the right of the number under the Recent Calls list.  

We’re here to support you, so if you have any questions about how to use our service feel free to call our customer service line 24/7 or even better drop us a line on Facebook or Twitter.  Don’t forget to Like or Follow us.

What Does Ice Cream Sandwich 2.4 Mean For Developers ?

by Jeb Brilliant

During the keynote at Google I/O’11 this week they talked about all kinds of new developing software. They talked about home automation and bringing music to the cloud but what caught my attention the most in terms of Phone.com was the talk of their update to the Android operating system. It’s technically called 2.4 but it’s also known as Ice Cream Sandwich and is going to revolutionize Android by unifying it together.

Up to now Androids biggest problem in my eyes is that it’s heavily fragmented. One company put this skin on the vanilla version of Android, another company put another skin on and so on and so forth. At which point developing for Android meant developing for all different handsets that just ran on the same basic operating system. With Ice Cream Sandwich or ICS this is all going to change. Google is reigning in the manufacturers and skin developers. I’m not exactly sure how companies like HTC will be able to keep their Sense UI (their skin) or if it will make it obsolete. Either way this is a win for some developers, like our Phone.com developers who won’t have to make a slightly different version of our Mobile Office app for the different Android handsets any longer.

Developers won’t have to build in to an app the unique differences for each different handset model, in turn saving them many hours of time developing. This will obviously be a big money saver for companies paying developers as well as making the lives of hobby developers much easier. It should also save on having to buy so many different handsets to test apps on.

Google I/O is always an interesting event and this year was no exception. Attendees got an unreleased 10.1 inch Samsung Galaxy Tab as well as numerous other goodies like an invite to the new Google Music Beta service. All in all Google and Android are taking big steps forward and I think developers are going to really benefit from Ice Cream Sandwich which is expected to launch in the 4th quarter of this year.

Does My Home Business Need a Separate Phone Line?

by Phone.com

When you start a business in your home, it is usually critical to cut costs wherever you can. It can be confusing, however, to figure out what services and equipment is essential and what things you can live without. You know you need your computer, Internet service and a printer, as well as a designated area in your home to make all the magic happen, but beyond that, what is really important and what is simply fluff? With email and iPhones, do you really need a fax machine? If you have a home phone and a cell phone, do you need a business phone? In order to make the best decision, look at the options and determine your priorities.

A business phone may seem like an added expense, a luxury, but it may be the sticking point between success and failure- especially when you are in business by yourself. No matter what business youre in, the most important thing is to demonstrate to your customer base- and your prospects- that their needs are your number one priority. Its pretty simple really- if your customers feel important to you and believe you will strive to meet their needs, they will gladly give you their loyalty– and their money.

For a solopreneur, being available to every one who needs you, when they need you is sticky business. Surprisingly, a business phone can be a piece of the picture of providing great customer service. Some providers, especially VoIP providers, offer package deals that provide a whole lot more than a simple phone line.

You can choose a business package that gives you the features of a virtual office. Need a customized menu for your callers so they get the details they need? No problem. How about personalized greetings so they know they reached you and they matter more than an automated voice? You can even set up automatic call forwarding, so if you do happen to step away from your desk, your calls will follow you home, go to customized menu options, straight to voice mail or to your cell, wherever you need them to go so your customer is served the best.

With the right virtual office business phone plan, you can access all the familiar features you love, like caller ID and call waiting, plus add the power and personalization of business benefits likes customized greetings, conference calling, hold music and call routing features so your customers get exactly what they need and you can take care of all the rest of your business as well.

Phone.com Virtual Office Features: VoIP Phone Service and More

by Phone.com

Virtual Office is the premier choice for VoIP (Voice Over IP) phone service at an affordable cost to the consumer. Since VoIP phone services uses broadband and not regular phone lines, phone service is both easier and more cost effective than traditional landline services. Virtual Office is an affordable business phone service that doesn’t make you sacrifice the features that your company relies on.
Virtual Office features one phone number to reach all locations and staff. This gives callers a seamless experience when calling into the office whether you have employees working remotely, employees that are constantly on the road, or multiple locations across the United States. One number will direct callers to all of the various departments or extensions that they may need without requiring them to remember multiple phone numbers. Advanced call forwarding settings allow you to transfer calls to any phone worldwide based on Caller ID or preset schedules.

Virtual Office even gives you the option to obtain 1-800 toll free numbers, vanity numbers and Global Numbers which can help your customers reach you easily and without any extra cost to them. Virtual Office voicemail boxes are never full and the text voicemail features allow you to read transcribed voicemail messages or receive alerts via text message. With Virtual Office by Phone.com, you will never miss a message again.

With unlimited extensions you can grow your business and add dedicated extensions for all employees. Business phones can be added to any extension without any equipment to purchase or maintain. Each extension is given their own dedicated voicemail box with personal call forwarding settings. Calls are routed through an automated service that also has an option for Dial-by-Name Directory. These features project an image of professionalism to clients and prospective clients alike without having the financial burden of hiring a dedicated receptionist.

Call recording is a free feature that allows you to record your calls at anytime for quality assurance. Calls can be played back in the Call Logs section of your account. Virtual Office support all click to call buttons, widgets that allow your website visitors to place a call without having to dial your number.

For a complete list of Phone.com features click here.

Virtual Office has a variety of affordable business phone solutions that will bring your company the reliability that you depend on for your business phone service. They offer free Customer Support 24 hours a day 7 days a week and comprehensive online resources that guide you through the features. Obtaining Virtual Office is easy, just sign up on Phone.com and you can be using your new phone service today!