Is VoIP Telephony Suitable for me?

The United Kingdom has more than half its Internet using population connected to the Broadband and as many as half a million of them use VoIP. Offers by big service providers promise large reductions on the annual fee most British pay on fixed line telephony only makes it more appealing. However, Is VoIP suitable for you?

Analysing what sort of a use you put your telephone to will help you decide. If a number of relatives and friends of yours live abroad and you stay in touch with them frequently, surely VoIP phones will certainly save a considerable amount of money. On the other hand if you rare an average phone user, it may not be such a prudent decision to make the switch.

'Voip is still not substantially cheaper than having a landline, especially for the average UK landline call,' says Blair Wadman, broadband manager at uSwitch.com. 'In some cases you will be better off with a fixed-fee landline package that offers all-inclusive calls.'

A number of packages available for the customer make VoIP look like an attractive option but there are some drawbacks before taking the plunge. VoIP call quality is still not perfect yet although that will change in time. There is also the problem with certain services requiring your computer to be left on for making the call unless as with some providers you get to use a router and leave the computer turned off. Not all packages work on Apple Macs either. Security of the phone conversation is a point of concern as it is using the Internet backbone.

What happens when the broadband connection itself fails is another issue. On the other hand it is not very often that we hear of a fixed line failing. There is no denying that a number of business houses are moving towards VoIP to tap into the cost benefits to be obtained and the VoIP market will definitely grow. Notwithstanding, you as an individual must assess whether the time and the pricing is right just now for you to make that jump.