Some factors should be taken into consideration before choosing a specific VoIP solution provider. If you shop around in the market, you will find many providers offering several calling plans at good rates. More and more customers are giving voip phones a try.

Once you have decided to switch from a traditional land phone line service to Voice over IP service, you’ll need to decide which VoIP plan to get. The biggest benefit for using VoIP is its cost effectiveness against traditional phone lines.

Is the location of the company important?
Perhaps not, if the voip provider is located in the same region as you are. Often the call will be delayed. A one second delay before hearing a Yes can decide which provider to select. May be you eliminate some providers just by looking at their areas of service. If you plan to call internationally, voip phone service is definitely the way to go. All internet providers publish their international long distance rates on their website, so compare them in order to get the best rates. Rates vary by Voice over IP provider, depending on the country you are calling.

Do you need a softphone for portability
If you want to make and receive calls when traveling, look for a VoIP plan with a free softphone. This is a software application that runs on your laptop, and allows you to make and receive calls through your VoIP service account. Many companies charge an extra fee for a softphone service.

Do you need unlimited calls?
You have to decide if you need unlimited call possibility, or a limited amount of minutes per month. You may also need to consider international long distance calling. Some service providers will give you a local phone number which can be used like a traditional phone line.

Quality of service
An essential criteria is the quality of service provided by the provider to make sure to get crystal clear voice quality. Moreover, a fast Internet connection should also be available for transmission of your calls. You will need a good broadband Internet connection provider.

Extra features
Usually, VOIP services include three way calling, call routing, fax capabilities, call filter options, teleconferencing, videoconferencing, call waiting, and return call. They provide you with the facility of forwarding the call to a particular phone number and gives you a busy tone and play a message. Some services may seem to be cheap but they may lack in such important features. Hence, you need to check the offer and select the one which best fits to your needs.

You most likely have little idea how much you have to pay when abroad and on Business trip.
Most people do not aware they have to pay roaming fees for Mobile Phone calls outside their area. In general roaming fees can range up to $2 per minute depending on your carrier.

Let’s say your friend calls you, using her Mobile Phone, when you are on vacation in Europe.
Who pays for what?
You have to pay for roaming fees and the long distance rate when you call from Europe or within one of the European countries. You also have to pay for roaming when you get a call from the USA.
Obviously, the caller will be charged for the long distance rate for calling you.

But the roaming fee to reach you in Europe will be billed to you.

The roaming fees are always billed in increments of 60 sec.. So if you only call a few seconds, the billing is rounded up the next full minute.
Whenever are using a wireless network, you are charged for the airtime used . This includes incoming calls and toll free calls. Calling a toll free number only eliminates the long distance fee that would be charged to you.
Sometimes, when you are roaming into another network, you are charged an access fee. These fees can be charged for each call to fee one time a day. These fees can be up to $9.95 for access of the network in which you are roaming.
Don’t foget taxes on your mobile phone bill you have to pay when you are back at home.

How to avoid roaming fees?
Buy a SIM card for your Mobile Phone abroad to avoid expensive roaming fees. You save much money with a SIM if someone calls you.

What kind of Mobile Phones are supported?
All GSM Mobile Phones with no SIM lock are supported. Try a Tri or Quad band phone. CDMA phones are NOT supported.

How to know if my phone is already unlocked or not?
Borrow a SIM from someone who has a different carrier carrier and see if it works in your Mobile Phone or not. If it works, then your Mobile Phone is already unlocked. If it doesn’t, then your Mobile Phone is locked.

How to purchase additional airtime?
You can buy additional airtime almost everywhere: shops, newsstands, gas station, lottery shops, ATM.

Can I also use my UMTS Mobile Phone or UMTS laptop card?
You can activate the UMTS option to surf on the Internet. You also can use some VOIP software like Skype and call for free.

Where to get a prepaid calling card?
The best decision is to get a pre-paid Mobile Phone card at the place you are going to. You also can find some on Ebay or Squidoo.com.

With a SIM for your Mobile Phone you save tons of money when calling home while abroad. You also can use the SIM to make Internet telephony calls to contact your friends or your family at home and even save much more.

Jim Price
SIM cards for you Mobile Phone