More information on Voice over IP providers

With VoIP you can call any number you want. You can even use VoIP to call other people who use the traditional Telephony network and mobiles, not just other people who use VoIP. Call charges vary between providers, this can range between nothing and can go up to 5 pence per minute (based on daytime U.K call rates). Most providers offer free calls to other VoIP customers using the same service. Subscription charges also vary between providers with some charging one off setup and monthly costs in addition to call charges. Payment for your service works in a pay-as-you-go type system for the majority of providers, where users purchase top up credit online using a debit or credit card and make calls till their credit runs out. As most service providers utilise online account management it is possible to view your bill online, which summarises and breaks down all of your call information.

Because VoIP uses broadband technology to work there can be service problems, especially if your ISP is experiencing technical difficulties or if there is a high amount of Internet traffic. If you use VoIP on your computer then it must be constantly switched on or you will not be able to receive phone calls, and in the event of a power outage service can be completely lost. Additionally the vast majority of VoIP products do not allow you to make emergency 999 calls, and for this reason we would strongly recommend that VoIP should be used as a secondary line rather than replace your existing traditional telephone line outright.

Free calls to users of the same service: If a VoIP user contacts another user who is subscribed to the same VoIP service (the same provider of VoIP), they can make free calls to that user.

Free calls to other locations: If a VoIP user tries to contact another user who is not subscribed to the same VoIP service or tries to call a user on a traditional phone number (i.e. non-VoIP) or a mobile number, they can make free calls to those users. (Basically calls to other VoIP providers and calls to non-VoIP numbers are free).

Emergency calls: A user subscribed to one of the VoIP services listed can make telephone calls to emergency service numbers such as 999.