What Is 5linx? Phone & VOIP Provider Or a Big Money Maker?

What Is 5linx? Phone & VOIP Provider Or a Big Money Maker?

Ever heard about 5Linx? Interested to hear what the opportunity is all about? Good, you are definately in the right place. This article will attempt to answer the question: What Is 5linx? Phone & VOIP Provider Or a Massive Money Magnet?
What Is It?

5Linx Enterprises, Inc is a international provider of telecommunications services and goods. They are based in twenty countries and there offerings include cell phones and plans. 5Linx was founded in 2001 and headed up by Craig Jerabeck (President & CEO), Jeb Tyler (Executive Vice President of Marketing) and Jason Guck.

What Services Do They Provide?

GlobalLinx is a subsidiary of 5Linx and provide VoIP services to their customers. After my research I can see there is more to this business than just the 5Linx phone offering. Their products include Inbound International numbers, VoIP, and business lines. Other products provided are cell phones, Home security, broadband and satellite.

What Income Streams Are There?

5Linx main business opportunity is a conventional network marketing business that allows an average person to re-sell or recommend their services and create a residual income from their efforts.

They also have a fund raising program for organizations to earn a residual income by recommending their services to their clients or members. They call this scheme "Link2Funds". This enables them to create a crucial extra income stream. The typical organization would be a school, club, church or corporate business.

How does the compensation plan work?

The positions range from qualified which requires four active customers leading up to the top Platinum Senior Vice President level (PSVP). One of the distributors at this level is Steve Carter. One of the benefits at this level is a Bentley company car which Steve Carter has been rewarded with.

There are 8 main ways you can get paid in 5Linx: Bounty Bonus (Monthly Residual, Up-front customer commission), Open-Line promotional bonuses, customer bonus pool, Weekly customer Acquisition Bonuses (Based on team performance), revenue pool, SVP (Senior Vice President) incentive bonuses and PSVP Pool.

5linx? Phone & VOIP Provider Or a Massive Cash Magnet?

Personally I am not a 5Linx business owner, but I do respect other peoples opportunities as I am involved in the Network marketing industry and help and assist many others. I can definately see some great things and some challenges. I will get the negatives out of the way, my goal is to provide non-biased info so I will be truthful. There is an upfront investment of $499 dollars.

I am aware you can look at this in both ways. Negatively I see it as a high start up cost for someone who is struggling with the global recession. Positively compared to setting up a conventional business it is a relatively small start up cost.

Like most MLM opportunities the success rate is very low, most average people give up when they don't get good enough results in the short term. Personally that is happening in all network marketing opportunity and a big reason why the industry has a 95% failure rate.

The bottom line is there are obviously success storeies such as Steve Carter. But for every Steve Carter there are another number of failure examples. In my opinion if you want to really be successful in this business you need to take a slightly different approach.

You need to get your marketing very targeted to really make some real money. If you get your marketing on point and then I am asked - 5Linx, Phone & VoIP Provider or massive Cash magnet? I would have to say Money magnet if you learn to market correctly and leverage the internet to explode your business.

Listen here is the next step,

Get the most out of your VoIP provider

Get the most out of your VoIP provider

Features and pricing are the two prime considerations in selecting your VoIP provider and deriving the maximum benefit from the product. With most VoIP users, all the features available in a particular product will rarely if ever be used. All leading service providers promise a range of features that look impressive as a marketing strategy, but often do not deliver as practical options. “Features” do not always translate as “benefits.” Pricing is also a relative factor and is linked to “quality” in the long run. Let us look closely at the packages offered by three market leaders of today: Skype, Lingo, and Vonage.

Skype has three basic usages: a PC-to-PC call, which is free voice communication between two computer users across the world with an Internet broadband connection; a paid SkypeOut voice call from a Skype user to a landline/mobile phone; and a paid SkypeIn call from a landline/mobile phone to a Skype user. For a home requirement of chatting with family and friends, the Skype PC-to-PC free call delivers on most promises made on the official Skype website, including voice quality. If you are not against being “wired” to your computer with your multimedia speakers and headphone, this free offer is the best option in this category.

However, if your requirement is for a full-scale voice service that caters to PC-to-telephone and telephone-to-PC services, you need to step up to the paid categories. SkypeOut offers a flat global rate of € 0.017 per minute for some of the most popular destinations worldwide, and has specific rates for other destinations. SkypeIn, which is still in Beta, makes it possible for your family, friends, and business acquaintances to reach you from a landline by dialing a number assigned to you. SkypeIn charges are independent of your location; if you are assigned a Chicago number but are currently in Japan, the party making the call only pays for a call to Chicago. If you buy a Skype number—an annual subscription will cost you € 30 and a quarterly subscription comes at € 10—you also get Free Skype Voicemail bundled in the package.

Skype’s cost plans are uncomplicated, and making a choice is relatively simple. Compare this with Lingo’s Home, Office, and International plans, and the corresponding plans from Vonage:

From this analysis, Lingo emerges as the service that will save you more on your telephone bill. However, to get more out of your VoIP, you need to look at the international pricing because that’s where VoIP scores over a traditional connection. If you make frequent international calls to Asia, you can take advantage of Lingo’s Asia package. Lingo’s international rates to individual countries are also lower than those of Vonage, but higher than Skype. Here is a comparison of the rates for three destinations:

Skype has the lowest call rates, but is limited in features. At the other end of the spectrum is Vonage, which offers the most consistent call quality and delivers on features, but is heavier on your pocket. Although it loses out on voice quality, Lingo has the features to match Vonage.

There are a few other features mentioned by both Lingo and Vonage—such as Anonymous Call Rejection and Do Not Disturb in Lingo, and Click-2-Call and Call Hunt in Vonage—but these are more in the way of cosmetic embellishments than utility tools.

The features are many, the utility diverse. To get the most out of your VoIP provider, you need to place the key factors of pricing and features at both ends of a see-saw, and weigh them with the cornerstone of quality—that will position you enticingly in making the right choice and getting the maximum out of your service provider.

Get the most out of your VoIP provider

Get the most out of your VoIP provider

by Hamesh Brown

Features and pricing are the two prime considerations in selecting your VoIP provider and deriving the maximum benefit from the product. With most VoIP users, all the features available in a particular product will rarely if ever be used. All leading service providers promise a range of features that look impressive as a marketing strategy, but often do not deliver as practical options. "Features" do not always translate as "benefits." Pricing is also a relative factor and is linked to "quality" in the long run. Let us look closely at the packages offered by three market leaders of today: Skype, Lingo, and Vonage.
Skype has three basic usages: a PC-to-PC call, which is free voice communication between two computer users across the world with an Internet broadband connection; a paid SkypeOut voice call from a Skype user to a landline/mobile phone; and a paid SkypeIn call from a landline/mobile phone to a Skype user. For a home requirement of chatting with family and friends, the Skype PC-to-PC free call delivers on most promises made on the official Skype website, including voice quality. If you are not against being "wired" to your computer with your multimedia speakers and headphone, this free offer is the best option in this category.

However, if your requirement is for a full-scale voice service that caters to PC-to-telephone and telephone-to-PC services, you need to step up to the paid categories. SkypeOut offers a flat global rate of € 0.017 per minute for some of the most popular destinations worldwide, and has specific rates for other destinations. SkypeIn, which is still in Beta, makes it possible for your family, friends, and business acquaintances to reach you from a landline by dialing a number assigned to you. SkypeIn charges are independent of your location; if you are assigned a Chicago number but are currently in Japan, the party making the call only pays for a call to Chicago. If you buy a Skype number--an annual subscription will cost you € 30 and a quarterly subscription comes at € 10--you also get Free Skype Voicemail bundled in the package.

Skype's cost plans are uncomplicated, and making a choice is relatively simple. Compare this with Lingo's Home, Office, and International plans, and the corresponding plans from Vonage:

From this analysis, Lingo emerges as the service that will save you more on your telephone bill. However, to get more out of your VoIP, you need to look at the international pricing because that's where VoIP scores over a traditional connection. If you make frequent international calls to Asia, you can take advantage of Lingo's Asia package. Lingo's international rates to individual countries are also lower than those of Vonage, but higher than Skype. Here is a comparison of the rates for three destinations:

Skype has the lowest call rates, but is limited in features. At the other end of the spectrum is Vonage, which offers the most consistent call quality and delivers on features, but is heavier on your pocket. Although it loses out on voice quality, Lingo has the features to match Vonage.

There are a few other features mentioned by both Lingo and Vonage--such as Anonymous Call Rejection and Do Not Disturb in Lingo, and Click-2-Call and Call Hunt in Vonage--but these are more in the way of cosmetic embellishments than utility tools.

The features are many, the utility diverse. To get the most out of your VoIP provider, you need to place the key factors of pricing and features at both ends of a see-saw, and weigh them with the cornerstone of quality--that will position you enticingly in making the right choice and getting the maximum out of your service provider.

How to choose a VoIP provider

How to choose a VoIP provider

by Hanu Nirukurti

VoIP (or voice over internet protocol) has become an increasingly popular alternative to traditional long-distance phone calls. The reason? Cost. A VoIP provider can reduce your phone bills by as much as 80%, more than justifying the initial costs of buying the equipment and monthly or annual fees.
Choosing to go VoIP is easy; which VoIP provider you sign up with is trickier. With the number of companies and the diversity of packages to choose from, it's hard to tell if you're really getting your money's worth. Here are some things to consider as you narrow down your choices:

* How much are you willing to spend? Look at your budgets. How much can you allot for this service? How much do you really save by getting it? * How much of your phone calls are long distance? If you rarely make long distance phone calls then you won't really feel the "savings"; but if you have friends and family around the world, then VoIP is a lifesaver. Look at your previous phone bills and make a rough estimate. Compute the cost of those calls on a traditional phone provider and through VoIP. * How good is their customer service? Customer service is frequently the worst in companies that offer very low rates. They usually have a deluge of subscribers whose needs or quieries they may not be able to handle Check out how their after-salves customer service is by asking friends who use VoiP or VoiP sites that have message boards? * What features are included in the package? Some packages may appear that they are cheaper but It could be because they have a very skeletal list of services. Others have a higher fee but offer so many additional services. But crucial to this is asking yourself which services are most important to you. Do you want call waiting? Do you need 3 way calling? Do you want fax capabilities? By defining what your priorities are you can weigh the overall monthly subscription fees with the kind of value you get for your money. * Can you keep your old number? Some companies allow you to transfer your existing phone number to the VoIP service. This is a very helpful feature that saves you the trouble of informing others or, even more importantly, losng contact with those who were not told about the change. This can be too much of a risk to people who run homebased businesses. * Do they offer emergency services? Not all VoIP services allow emergency numbers like 911. In this case it's advisable that you retain a cell phone or land line. It pays to be safe than sorry! * How many international calls do you need to make? There is a wide variety of packages that appropriate a certain number of minutes for long distance calls. Find out your typical usage and assess how much you need.

Ten Tips For Choosing A VoIP Provider

Ten Tips For Choosing A VoIP Provider

by Kwan H Lo

What should you consider when choosing a VoIP provider? Read our simple tips before you make your decision.

VoIP phone service is a fast growing business. There are many VoIP companies in the market these days, but professional VoIP reviews are very few. Here are some simple tips to help you compare individual VoIP providers before making your decision.

1) Price - Many people look for the lowest price when choosing a VoIP provider. However, price should never be your first priority. With keen competition in the market today, price difference among individual VoIP providers is very small. You should consider other factors such as service quality, customer support, service plan options etc. After all, what is the point to get the cheapest service if you cannot receive a quality phone call?

2) Service - Look for quality and reliable service. The quality of VoIP service also depends on broadband connection speed. If you want to use some standalone VoIP providers, such as Vonage and Packet8, make sure you also have high quality broadband connection.

3) Customer support - The VoIP provider should provide good customer support including 24 hours phone support 7 days a week. If you encounter any problems while installing or using the VoIP service, you could have someone to help you.

4) Satisfaction guarantee - Most VoIP companies require you to sign a one year contract. It is better to choose a company that provides satisfaction guarantee or free trial. If you don't like their service, you can terminate it within 30 days without paying a penalty fee.

5) Company size - Large companies are often better run and have more sophisticated equipments and facilities than small companies.

6) Service plans - Some plans provide unlimited local and long distance calls; some even provide unlimited global calls to international cities. If you use the VoIP phone as a secondary phone line, you can sign up for some basic plans which give you limited calling minutes at a lower monthly fee. Choose a plan that is most suitable for your need.

7) Local area codes - Find a VoIP provider which can offer a local area code. Otherwise, your friends living in your area will be charged for long distance calls when they call you using an analog phone. However, if most of your friends and relatives are living in another area, you can also choose an area code for that area, so they will only be charged for local calls when they call you.

8) Additional features - Call forwarding, voicemail, call waiting, conference call, caller ID, call filtering are all very useful bonuses. Many VoIP providers provide these services for free.

9) E911 - Make sure the VoIP provider offers E911 service (enhanced 911), which allows personal information such as your name and address to be given to local dispatch center automatically during an emergency.

10) User reviews - Read some online customer reviews as a reference. However, bear in mind that these reviews can be tainted and the quality of VoIP service is affected by other factors such as broadband connection. If in doubt, call the VoIP companies to express your concern and ask for clarification.

VoIP - A Layman's Look - Should You or Shouldn't You?

VoIP - A Layman's Look - Should You or Shouldn't You?

by Dennis Schooley, BBA, CA

So what's all this VoIP hype anyway? I mean we all know that our voice can be delivered to the four corners of the globe over telephone lines. (Actually, I missed that part of second grade math where they taught us that a ball has corners, but everybody says it, so I'll accept it). Alex G. Bell, the second most famous resident of Brantford, Ontario, right after Wayne Gretzky of course, led us down the voice transmission path.

We're also fully aware of the Internet. Otherwise where would we get our sports scores, weather reports, horoscopes, and genealogy fixes. So why do we care about the real-time transmission of our voice, in telephone quality, using Internet protocol (VoIP)?

Presumably the whole concept was created to deliver some benefit to us techno-ignorant dwellers of the house of the masses. As business people we manufacture shin pads, or we distribute cat food, or we evangelize, but should we be considering VoIP? Will it make us money, or save us time? Will it make us more efficient as a Manufacturer, Distributor, or Evangelist? If the answer to those questions is no, then we shouldn't even think about it. So let's explore those questions. After all, it's all about results.

Geoffrey Moore introduced the concept that a product must cross the chasm of market acceptance in the 'Technology Adoption Life Cycle' in his book Crossing the Chasm. In his next book, Inside the Tornado, Moore talks about the tornado of market acceptance that lies like a siren beyond the chasm. It appears that VoIP is clawing up the far wall of the chasm, but we don't know for sure whether it will find that toe hold to crawl out, and catch the swirling tornado winds of fortune. All indicators are that it's going to happen. Dorothy and the Tin Man are holding their breath.

Perhaps the most significant indicator is that the 'business-prevention specialists', a title I usually reserve for lawyers, but in this case is applied affectionately to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), have begun the task of investigating what should be regulated in the world of VoIP. The FCC has already delivered a ruling on a VoIP product offered by AT&T. That fact in itself should make us all take notice that there must be something good coming, or they wouldn't be showing up at the dance to make sure the band isn't too loud.

Larry Stocker, of Schooley Mitchell Telecom Consultants in Kansas City says, "if my clients' interest in VoIP is any indicator, then I think there will be a big increase in the provision of the service. We have quadrupled our number of assignments in the last six months alone, for clients that wish to select the right VoIP service, at the right price, from the right supplier. That seems to be a good indicator of market acceptance."

Another good indicator would be the number of suppliers, including the tier-one Telco's that have entered the fray to provide VoIP in their own particular flavor. That fact should cause us pause. It should cause us to challenge the original premise that 'talking over the Internet will be free', and that there will be no long distance cost any more. If that were the case, would all of these big companies - the renowned leaders in the telecom world - be scrambling to get to market to provide the service? Maybe it's just their way of giving back to society. I'm more inclined to think there are huge profits at stake.

And now you say, 'but I've already got the Internet, why isn't it free'. Well first of all, you'll need some kind of device that delivers 'telephone quality' over the Internet. Remember, I said 'real time'. Those $20 microphones just don't do it. In addition, have you ever tried to put someone on hold on the Internet, or call forward, or take a voice message - you know, the things that businesses do everyday.

Presumably that's what all these suppliers are running the relay for - to sell you that 'stuff' at the end of the race. Whether they sell it to you outright, or whether you rent it from them for a monthly service fee isn't the point. The point is that there is a cost to get access, as well as proper business applications. Included in the cost, which will be recovered through charges to you, are signaling, routing, protocol, and interface technologies. Oops, that's not layman's talk.

In addition to the access 'stuff' as a layman would say, there has to be access to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), or I would never be able to call my mother. VoIP calls have to terminate on everyday telephone sets because I'm pretty sure my mom doesn't have a VoIP set up at her house. She doesn't have a bankcard, won't stay in a hotel that doesn't have 'real keys', and still loves her dial phone (definitely in Moore's technology buying group called Skeptics or Laggards). There is no way I'll be talking to her over her Internet connection - she doesn't have one, and never will. So this VoIP thing will have to access the normal phone system. That's where the FCC and CRTC step in. Their position is that if the PSTN will be accessed, then access fees will have to be paid by the providers. And up goes the cost.

In his book, Implementing Voice Over IP, Bhumip Khasnabish, says "The goals of VoIP implementation are to achieve (a) significant savings in network maintenance and operations costs and (b) rapid rollout of new services."

O.K., so it's not free but there should be 'significant savings' if that holds true. Assuming those savings will be passed on, it should make me more money through cost reduction. Presumably these 'new services' will be designed to save me time, make me more efficient, or provide easier access to my target markets. Just think if one step can be eliminated in the manufacture of shin pads, if distribution channels for cat food are more streamlined, or the Evangelist can find more heathens to convert.

Bill Webster, another Schooley Mitchell consultant in Calgary, Alberta says, "the key is to assess the reliability and quality of service. If the quality is what you need, and by the way, it's improving every day, then a cost-benefit analysis is required comparing your current access to VoIP. Often times VoIP is the winner. As new services with VoIP become available over time, that win will be even more evident for the regular business person."

So there you have it. Should you or shouldn't you, as the title queries? It seems that the answer is akin to; should I or shouldn't I, when Alexander Graham introduced the telephone concept in the first place. I'm pretty sure that everyone, at least those that are alive today, eventually got one. Bell had to deal with laggards too.

It seems that this is the way the market will develop if the supply and regulatory indicators hold true. VoIP is not out of the chasm yet, but when this many suppliers enter the arena, then functionality is driven up to deliver the 'better mouse trap', price is driven down through competitive alternatives, reliability (the bugs are worked out) is driven up by the same forces, and you have emergence.

It seems that if you take Webster's advice and prepare the proper cost-benefit analysis, you're likely going to be getting your kite ready for the VoIP tornado.

VoIP Captures New Markets

VoIP Captures New Markets

by Donald Wilson

Close to 1200 companies are now providing Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service in the US and Canada. Despite this figure more and more cable companies, DSL operators, and telecom majors are moving to this technology, most likely because they realize that VoIP is the future of telephony. They also likely realize that the market is still wide open, making now the best time to capture it.
The success of VoIP services can be boiled down to two factors. Cost is the first factor. Unlike conventional telecom companies, VoIP companies do not need to invest in expensive infrastructures because the Internet serves this function already. This means they can start and run a phone service at a tiny fraction of the cost of a conventional telecom company--a savings that can be passed on to the consumer.

This allows VoIP companies to make a profit while charging rates that are comparatively very low. In fact, some VoIP companies offer call plans starting as low as $9 a month. Furthermore, most of VoIP companies offer unlimited calling across the US and Canada. The end result is a phone bill half that which the average phone subscriber is likely to pay for conventional telephone service.

The second factor to the success of VoIP services is all the low-cost or no-cost added features. The average VoIP phone comes with a plethora of useful features. These features likely include caller id, call-waiting, three-way calling, call blocking, distinctive ring, international call forwarding, call waiting disable function, repeat dialing, return dial, call filtering, sequential ringing, secondary virtual phone number, additional service lines, toll-free numbers and Web-based management.

This is a massive improvement over the features offered by most conventional services, and since they are usually provided at no additional charge by VoIP services the customer is getting a phone service that not only costs less, but also offers more features. More and more Americans and Canadians are switching to the VoIP services for just this reason. The only additional expense is the up-front cost of the installation of a broadband cable connection or a DSL line, which of course many already have for their computer connection.

Initially the VoIP services were limited to the geeks of the world, who used telephony software that was available free on the net and ran on a computer. This option never gained popularity because the voice quality was usually poor and the service only allowed calls to be made from computer to computer. The requirement for both users to be online and in possession of similar software in order connect over VoIP was a serious limitation.

Once the infant VoIP software was modified to allow connection to specialized or standard phones through adapters it became possible to call from one phone to another. It was then that the potential of VoIP was realized. When companies like Vonage launched an aggressive campaign to woo traditional phone subscribers the technology got a significant further boost. After that the market absolutely exploded.

Know more about VoIP solutions

Know more about VoIP solutions

by Kristen Kiya

Voice communication has dramatically transformed the way companies used to conduct their business around the world. By knowing deeply about the benefits and usage of IP telephony, businesses are rapidly moving from traditional mode. Today, tremendous growth and potential opportunities in Voice Over IP has changed the way companies communicate in providing better cost control and productivity enhancement compared to PSTN. The quality of voice on VoIP is better than Public Service Telephone Network (PSTN) over long distance and international calling. VoIP or Voice Over Internet protocol is used for transmitting voice, video and data over an IP network i.e. high speed broadband connection.

The telecommunication industry is flooded away with VoIP solution providers; but if you are looking for the best services then go for the thorough search and research. You must select the voice over ip provider that offers wholesale carrier services, reseller programs and business solution to their clients from various sectors of the industry. While opting for business VoIP solutions, user must look into the features that supports;

1. Functionality: user can do multifarious job while doing one; like calling and checking the mails simultaneously.
2. Reduced cost: Voice Over Internet protocol drastically cut down the communication cost as it is based on packet switching technique.
3. Quality Network: User must opt for provider that provides quality network to ensure an enhanced communication.
4. Reliability and Security: This feature satisfies the customer that there data or communication is saved.
5. Scalability: VoIP provides user to call and carry the phone anywhere around the world.

For handling VoIP quality, user must opt for high speed broadband connection as well as look for an availability of required bandwidth. Well, for making cheap calling through voice over Internet protocol, user requires a computer, broadband connection, Analog Telephone Adaptor or ATA and latest voice over IP services. This allows the user to make calling as normal using standard phone lines. The function of ATA is to converts analog voice signals to a digital signals that Internet can understand. It sends the signal over IP networks to reach the specified destination. Before reaching at receiver's end, ATA reconverts digital data into analog voice.

User must look in for the cheapest and the best VoIP solutions which offer benefits like unlimited long distance and international calling at minimal cost. These solutions are designed depending upon the requirement of various organizations. So, before opting for the best solutions user must keep in mind the factors like speed, voice quality, call tariff network integration, feature richness and so on. Internet Telephony is catering the growing demands of companies, business houses and residential users with their innovative VoIP solution.

Choosing A VOIP Provider

Choosing A VOIP Provider

by Ron King

There are 2 basic VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) provider options: free services or paid providers that charge a monthly fee. Making that choice depends on how you plan to use VOIP.

If you just want to chat with friends and family over the Internet, a free service may be adequate. If you're looking for a true alternative to normal phone service, however, consider a VOIP service with a paid package deal.

Package Choices

There are so many choices. To determine which is the best service for your money, you must decide which services you need, and whether you want to quit your existing telephone service completely. Most VOIP providers offer package plans with free calls to a designated geographical area. Nearly all providers offer free call waiting, call display, and conference call services.

Even though the basic package for a similar fee is the same with most providers, there is a great rivalry between VOIP service providers, with each striving to offer services that set them apart from their competitors. To make the right choice, you'll have to check several packages to find the best for your needs.

For example, if you make a lot of overseas calls, a package that includes international calls makes sense. Or if you receive most of your calls from a specific city, get a package that offers a specific phone number that allows people to call you at that local rate.

Service and reliability are other critical factors when selecting a VOIP provider. This information is available from reviews on the internet or by asking your friends which providers they use. One suggestion is to find a provider offering a money-back guarantee.

Find out how much bandwidth is required for a particular VOIP service. If the information is not available from the company's web site, send an e-mail to verify that your broadband connection is suitable for their VOIP service. Usually 128 kbps on the upload side is sufficient.

Problems

Emergency calls are 1 of the technical drawbacks with VOIP, because it's hard to determine your physical location on VOIP calls. 911 calls may not be routed to the correct call center, and if they are, operators can't establish your location if you are unable to communicate. The Federal Communications Commission, in the United States, is demanding that VOIP service providers find a solution.

Providing phone service during a power outage is another technical problem. Since VOIP requires electrical current to operate modems, in a power outage the VOIP phone line goes dead. One solution is to use a computer with a battery backup. Another is an electrical generator to provides emergency household electricity.

Finally, you may want to retain your existing phone service after signing up for VOIP. Not all providers offer this service, so if it's important, verify that ability in advance.