High Speed Cable

Because with VOIP you can make calls from anywhere you have access to a broadband connection, users can take their IP phones or ATA’s with them on trips and still have access to what is essentially their home phone.

Some people use a softphone to access their VOIP service. A softphone is a specially developed software application that loads the VOIP service onto your desktop computer or laptop. Some even have an interface on the screen that looks like a traditional phone. These softphone applications allow you to place VOIP calls from your laptop; anywhere in the world you have access to a broadband connection.

Most traditional phone companies charge you for extra features that are added to your account. With VOIP service providers these usually come as standard. Features such as:

1. Caller ID

2. Call Waiting

3. Call Transfer

4. Repeat Dialling

5. Return Call

6. Three-Way Dialling

Some VOIP service providers also offer advanced call filtering features. These additional features allow you to decide how calls to a specific number are handled by using caller ID information. They allow you to:

1. Forward the call to a particular number

2. Send the call directly to voicemail

3. Give the caller a busy signal

4. Play a “not-in-service” message

Many VOIP services also allow you to check your voicemail over the internet or attach messages to an e-mail that is sent to your computer or PDA. It’s best to check with VOIP phone system suppliers and service operators exactly what features they offer as package and service prices vary greatly.

There are many other cost saving benefits that arise from a streamlined VOIP phone system network. For the network administrators, a VOIP phone system means they only have one network to maintain instead of two. The portability of the phone system is also greatly simplified. This is because most VOIP phone systems can be configured using a web interface, which can be managed by the network administrator. The MAC (move, add, change) process is made much easier, and you will not have to call your system/service provider for every MAC you carry out. All this means lower ongoing costs for your company.

Another cost saving for companies who implement a VOIP system is, because multiple offices, no matter where they are in the world are seamlessly connected, they can share many of the features VOIP can offer, such as:

1. One single receptionist

2. Auto attendant facilities

3. Voice mail system

Thanks for reading, please take the time to rate the article.

Jason

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Jason Morris is co-author, search engine optimization and marketing consultant of Business Phone Systems Direct. Specialists in the supply and installation of business phone systems and accessories.
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Q: What is the fee for high speed internet service and how does it differ among internet providers?

A: The fee for internet access will vary from one internet provider to another. Typically, there are two types of access, which includes dialup and broadband. Depending on your needs, there are various benefits to both dialup and broadband high speed internet access.

Q: What is the difference between dialup and broadband high speed internet access?

A: Dialup access is referred to as an internet connection that uses a regular phone line. Typically, the connection speeds will be 56k or less. Broadband high speed internet, on the other hand, uses a variety of connections to produce a faster and more reliable connection. As such, this service is often more expensive than the regular dialup.

Q: How can I find out about high speed internet service or which internet providers are available in my area?

A: The first place to start your search is in the telephone book’s yellow pages. Here, you will find a listing for every internet provider in your area, along with some block ads that even advertise their monthly rates for subscribers. One of the largest internet providers is America Online, which offers a selection of local access numbers. Another terrific way of learning which internet providers are available in your area is to browse through the local newspaper and pay close attention to the advertisements, which often feature ads from internet providers who offer special rates to new customers.

Q: What if I want to subscribe to AOL, but cannot find a local connection number for my area?

A: With America Online being a leader in internet providers, there are a large number of connection numbers available. However, in some smaller areas, there may not be a local access number. If that’s the case, you can gain access through a paid membership with one of your local internet providers and connect to AOL, via a TCP/IP connection, for $9.95 per month. This is called a ‘bring your own service’ plan and is a terrific way to enjoy the convenience of AOL even if you do not have a local access number.

Q: How do I know which internet providers are best or which ones will be most accommodating to my needs?

A: The answer largely depends on how much time you plan to use the internet. If you work at home or are online frequently throughout the day, you will most likely need an unlimited plan. This type of service, which is available through most internet providers, will allow you an unlimited number of hours online in exchange for a fixed monthly subscription cost.

Q: Is high speed internet access available in all areas?

A: The answer to this question is best addressed by one of your local internet providers. High speed internet access is available in most areas, but some rural locations may not offer wireless broadband connections or other technology needed to enjoy the full benefits of high speed internet access. This does not mean that the internet cannot be enjoyed, but rather that it will be enjoyed at a slightly slower rate than those who have high speed internet access.

Find more about computer desktops and multimedia software or read the latest Internet security advices at http://www.internettspeed.com

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“I am using XP home with a cable modem connection, and quite often using while online, I get the error of can’t find the server. I just lose my internet connection, and it says my TCP/IP needs resetting. How do I do that and what causes the internet dropout?”

There are several possible reasons why your Internet connection might suddenly stop working. If you were on dialup, the most likely scenario would be noise on the phone line, but since you have a high-speed cable connection, we can rule that out.

In a recent Ask Bob Rankin article Do Computers Get Tired? I addressed the subject of electronic devices that fail at random times, and gave some scientific basis for occasionally turning the device off and then back on. I have a cable modem as well, and have found that sometimes a slow or dropped Internet connection is restored simply by unplugging the cable modem, waiting 30 seconds and powering it back on. Not pretty, but it works. If the problem is happening every day, though, it might be better to replace the modem.

There could also be a software-related issue which is causing your Internet connection to fail. If you have other computers on a home network, and they have no trouble getting online, then I’d cast a wary glance in the direction of your firewall. Firewalls are designed to block certain Internet connections, so it’s entirely possible that a bug in the firewall software is erroneously shutting down ALL network connections. You may even have told the firewall to do this without meaning to.

Open your firewall’s configuration screen and check to see what programs are being blocked from connecting to the Internet. If nothing obvious appears to be erroneously blocked, try shutting down or uninstalling the firewall software, then reboot and see if the problem persists. If that fixes the problem, consider ditching the software-based firewall, especially if you have a router between your computer and the cable modem. Routers have hardware-based firewalls built in, which makes firewall software superfluous for most users.

To uninstall the firewall software, click on the Start button, open Control Panel, then Add/Remove Programs. Find the firewall in the list and click the Remove button. Note that your firewall may be bundled with an anti-virus of internet security package. If that’s the case, click on that package (ex: eTrust EZ-Armor or Norton Internet Security), and make sure you select ONLY the firewall for removal, leaving the anti-virus protection in place.

If none of those things helps, report the problem to your Internet provider. If the problem has something to do with your modem or the cabling in your neighboorhood, it might be affecting your neighbors as well.

BOB RANKIN… is a tech writer and computer programmer who enjoys exploring the Internet and sharing the fruit of his experience with others. His work has appeared in ComputerWorld, NetGuide, and NY Newsday. Bob is publisher of the Internet TOURBUS newsletter, author of several computer books, and creator of the http://LowfatLinux.com website. Visit Bob Rankin’s website for more helpful articles and free tech support.

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