VOIP Solution? What VOIP solution?  How does this VOIP thing work anyway?  Do I have to have VOIP Phone Service?  What about VOIP Providers?  Is there a one size fits all VOIP solution? HELP!

You have seen the Vonage commercials, and you know that people are saving money using VOIP, but you are wondering if VOIP is your solution?  Well, check out our Top 5 reasons to make VOIP a solution in your home and business.

VOIP is a new technology, that will change the way all of us make phone calls.  Because it is a new kind of phone service, VOIP can be confusing.  This page is your solution for understanding VOIP!

For VOIP, one thing you should definitely have is a high speed Internet connection.  If you don't have high speed Internet, VOIP won't really be for you.  A DSL, Cable, or better Internet connection are a must for a VOIP phone.

When you have decided that VOIP is the solution you want (because for most people, VOIP is the solution you want), FIRST - read this entire page!  Then, SECOND, do the following steps.

So, just to make sure we're on the same page...
Read the whole page FIRST, then come back and do the steps SECOND.

STEP 1: 
Choose your VOIP Provider
There are many VOIP Providers today.  I recommend that you choose one of the following three providers.

Packet8 (recommended-they are the VOIP solution I personally use)
Vonage
Voipnet

STEP 2: 
Order your VOIP Phone Service
Once you decide on your VOIP Provider, you will need to order your VOIP phone service.  Different VOIP providers offer different phone services.  My favorite VOIP phone service plans for residential and business VOIP, from each of the three above providers, are detailed below, but of course you will want to find the VOIP solution that best fits your needs.

Packet8 Freedom Unlimited Plan  Unlimited phone calls and more - $19.95/month
Vonage Premium Unlimited  $24.95/month
Voipnet Residential Plus Plan 19.95/month

A Simple Explanation of a           
VOIP solution for phone service           

Your computer and your phone are going to share your Internet connection.  Your phone also needs to convert the phone conversation into Internet "language".

So, you will need two things.  A VOIP terminal, and a router.

STEP 3: 
Order your VOIP phone Terminal. 
This is basically something that lets you plug in an Internet connection on one side, and a phone plug on the other side.  Getting the Terminal is usually part of the ordering process in Step 1. 

STEP 4:  You will need to have a router.  Vonage has a cool router (made by Linksys) that incorporates the VOIP terminal right into the router, so that you don't have to mess with the extra cords and you have one box (that is a terminal and a router) for an all-in-one VOIP solution

OPTIONAL STEP 5: Order an Internet video phone or an actual Internet Phone if you don't want to use your current phone.

STEP 6:  Wait for the Terminal/phone/router to be delivered.

OPTIONAL STEP 6 1/2: Clean your desk while waiting for VOIP terminal/phone/router to be delivered.

STEP 7:  Follow the instructions that come with the terminal/phone/router, and get set up from there!

STEP 7 1/2:  Hide the cords - or, if you want to show off your new phone to friends/family who drop by, leave the cords in a very open space!  :)

STEP 8:  Make your first VOIP Phone Call!

STEP 9:  Set up features like Voice Mail and caller ID (generally included with the phone service)!