VoIP Features

What Features are Available with VoIP?

VoIP has all of the same features that are available with a traditional land phone line. What attracts consumers to VoIP is that most features are offered as part of the standard VoIP service plan, without the additional fees frequently assessed by a traditional phone company. Another huge draw to VoIP service are the features that are available only via VoIP internet service, unique to the nature of an online phone system.

When selecting a VoIP provider, make sure you are aware of the features you are getting with your VoIP provider. Most VoIP providers will have all the same features as your regular landline phone. However, others will be limited to computer to computer calling, calling between two people who have the same VoIP service, and calling only on a VoIP phone. The amount of flexibility here is dependant solely on the type of plan selected by the consumer to fit their individual needs. To use some of the available VoIP features will also require extra fees, again, dependant on the consumers' selection of VoIP service.

To help navigate the VoIP system and assist you in your comparison with your current phone company, here is a list of features available with VoIP. It is divided into a Standard section and a Specialized section. Features listed under Standard are provided as part of the original service plan price with most VoIP providers. (However, always investigate responsibly to make sure that this is the case with the particular VoIP provider you select). Features listed under Specialized describe some of the features that are available under VoIP, but differ from plan to plan and provider to provider, and often involve additional fees. This will also include most of the features that are unique to internet telephone services.

Description of Available VoIP Features: How do they work with VoIP?

Standard Services:

Caller ID:
This works just like the traditional Caller ID consumers are accustomed to, showing the number of the person calling. A common variation offered by VoIP is Caller ID with Name, which shows not only the number, but the name of the person calling if you have entered them into your contact list online at the site of your VoIP provider. A special perk of Caller ID with Name when used with a VoIP service is that it works together with Call Waiting, allowing you to see the name of the interrupting caller and choose not to answer it. If you choose not to answer the call, it goes straight thru to your VoIP Voicemail. Many VoIP providers also allow you to reverse the process with Caller ID Block, which prevents your number from showing when you call out.

Call Waiting:
Call Waiting with VoIP works exactly the same as with traditional phone service systems. When you are on the phone and another person calls, you are notified by a beep, allowing you to choose to accept or reject the call. If it is rejected the caller goes straight to voicemail. With a VoIP service you have the additional option to choose whether you wish to place either your current call, or the new caller, on hold.

Call Blocking:
One of the most attractive features of VoIP service is Call Blocking. This easy-to-use feature enables you to block certain callers and/or numbers by adding their numbers to a specific list on your VoIP provider server. This list is called a Blocking List, and is continually updateable. If a number is listed on your Blocking List, your phone does not even ring when that person calls, a much easier solution to avoiding solicitation and over-talkative neighbors than switching phone numbers!

Call Forwarding:
VoIP offers some interesting variations on the standard call forwarding than most consumers are accustomed to. Basic call forwarding is that when your home phone rings, and no one picks up, the call is forwarded to a different line. The enhancement that VoIP makes possible allows the call to be forwarded to more than one number. The consumer provides a list of numbers (usually 4-5 of them) in order of priority, for the call to be forwarded to, one after another, until the caller finally reaches you. The call only goes to voicemail after all numbers have been tried. In your research, be aware that this service is called different things by different VoIP providers; AT&T CallVantage refers to it as "Locate Me" while Vonage calls it "Enhanced Call Forwarding" However, the essential service is the same, and is available as a standard feature to most plans.

Voicemail:
A common misconception of VoIP service is that it is incapable of receiving voicemail messages. In fact, every VoIP provider offers Voicemail. The only difference between VoIP voicemail and the voicemail of a standard phone company is that you don't pay extra, and you don't have to worry about pushing buttons on a blinking black box.

Technically, the difference is just in the location of where the vocal message is stored. If you are using a VoIP service, people who call you leave a message in a digital mailbox, which is accessed much like your email mailbox.
What VoIP voicemail has to offer that is unique to internet telephony revolves around the fact that the messages are stored digital audio files, as voice messages. Think of them as MP3s.

Not only can multiple callers leave you messages at the same time (no busy signal over internet broadband), long-term storage of those messages is not a problem, i.e., nothing gets erased after 10 days. In addition, provided you are using the same VoIP service, you can then forward those voicemails to someone else's mailbox for them to hear directly.

You can also download the messages to a portable jump drive or hard drive, and even send them as email attachments. A consumer could also opt to receive these voicemail messages as email attachments. Another helpful option allows you to custom tailor your voicemail greetings to present a different one to different users, or for each number you have linked to your VoIP provider mailbox.

Last Number Re-dial:
This feature offers a one-button method to redial the last number you've called. It does not differ from the same service with traditional land phone lines.

3-Way Calling:
Very simple to use, 3-way calling allows you to link third party into an existing two-way call. All three of you can both hear and talk, which expedites planning in a major way! With VoIP it is also extremely simple to use. For more than three parties, see Conference Calling.

911 Service:
Although the primary detractors of VoIP service cite lack of 911 coverage as a major drawback, advanced technology and new arrangements with emergency service providers has essentially eliminated the initial problem of VoIP users being excluded from general 911 access. How each provider has solved the problem, however, is unique to them, so make sure you know how your provider addresses the issue. Important things to remember about VoIP 911 Service are:

If your power goes out or your internet connection is down, 911 calls do not work, unlike regular telephone lines where a 911 call always gets through.
Some providers require you to fill out an additional form with your home address information in order, which is then filed with the correct emergency response teams in case of need. Other providers require specific activation steps to get your VoIP 911 access up and running. Be responsible and make sure you are aware of and have completed any necessary paperwork or activation steps.
Certain areas of the United States and overseas do not have direct VoIP routing to emergency response teams, in which case a 911 call goes to the VoIP providers emergency center, to be answered by 24 hr personnel. They then contact the appropriate emergency response team after you provide them with your name and address.
Sometimes the software providing name and address to the emergency response team does not show up correctly, despite your VoIP provider's best efforts, and you will need to vocally confirm your location to the dispatcher when making a 911 call.
If you are still concerned about 911, or if for some reason your VoIP provider does not have 911 service, look up the direct phone number to local emergency services and program it into your VoIP server contact list as a speed dial number.

Specialized Services

Virtual Numbers: This is currently the common way of referring to consumers who utilize a phone number that not only is not tied to a land-line, but also exists in an area of the nation or world in which they themselves are not physically located. The purpose of having a Virtual Number is to enable those who do live in that particular location access to you via that local number, making it a local call for them. Virtual Numbers are available (usually for a fee) from most VoIP providers, and exist in one of two categories:

Toll free numbers: This is the method of assigning virtual numbers within the United States. Your VoIP provider assigns you a 1800 or 1888 number that is unique to you as an individual consumer. Second parties can then reach you on that line in what is a free call for them.

International Numbers: Virtual numbers that are assigned internationally are usually just assignment to the consumer of an additional area code and number for the international city or country you wish to have callers be able to reach you locally from. If a consumer is financially responsible for others reaching them internationally via telephone, this can be a major money-saver.

Video Over IP: You can transmit more than voice via VoIP. All multimedia data types, including video, can be sent using internet telephony. Most providers allow video and picture transmission for an additional fee.

Fax: Most VoIP service providers have the option to select an additional number for a fax-line. This is usually a specialized, or add-on feature for an additional charge. However, by sending faxes mostly over internet lines rather than the traditional telephone lines, the cost is drastically reduced, which allows VoIP providers to offer it at a very reasonable rate. If you do a lot of faxing, paying the additional monthly fee can save you a bundle due to VoIP plans unlimited faxing per month.

Conference Calling: Also available from most VoIP providers, this service allows you to set up conference calling, linking anywhere from 4 to 10 callers into a simultaneous conversation. Although commonly available with most VoIP plans, additional fees are almost always assessed with this service.

411 Directory: Simply dial 411 to get information and contact numbers for businesses or individuals. This service has an additional fee for most VoIP providers, although it is often less than a standard phone company fee would be.

Phone Number Portability: Some VoIP providers offer this service, which allows you to keep your current phone number when switching to a VoIP service. Especially attractive to consumers who don't want to confuse contacts, family and friends who have been reaching them at the same number for years, it is smart to make sure this is an option with your VoIP provider. Limitations to this service usually exist when transferring from one VoIP provider to another, due to the fact that VoIP providers are required to lease the numbers they issue from telecommunications service providers, who are responsible for routing VoIP calls over land lines to intended destinations that are not VoIP users. Providers vary on whether or not they offer the service, and whether or there is a fee for it.