Cost effective calls to India are now available through VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol). VoIP uses your broadband internet connection to allow you to make and receive telephone calls. This unlimited service can replace your traditional telephone line or be used to complement it, making social or business calls to India easy.

Depending on the method you use, you need either an IP (Internet Protocol) phone that plugs straight into an Ethernet connection or connects through a wireless LAN, an Analogue Telephone Adaptor (ATA) that connects to an existing phone to the broadband connection, or a headset connected to a PC with VoIP software, also known as “soft phones”. All these products are easily available online.

Subscribers to the VoIP service can usually make computer to computer calls for free. Charges are applied when connecting your VoIP service to a public phone system, to either call landlines or mobiles. The VoIP service will have to pay the landline or mobile company to carry a VoIP call to a non-VoIP user (known in the industry as “termination charges”). This is why VoIP services have to charge a subscription, or charge by the minute, for calls outside their own networks. When making calls to these lines, costs are generally lower than conventional call chargers, making VoIP a cost effective solution to calling India. Many VoIP services providers allow you to make unlimited calls to India, for a fixed monthly fee.

Setting up a VoIP device in your own home or office network, could not be easier. In most cases once you have purchased all necessary equipment, you can plug in and play. A well established VoIP provider will send detailed step by step instructions.

When looking for a VoIP service provider, top of your list should be excellent customer service and helpful technical support. Look through online reviews of VoIP service providers, to help you select the VoIP service which best suits you.

Once you are setup on a VoIPservice, you are still able to use all the standard services you rely on such as call forwarding, call waiting, voicemail and caller ID. VoIP also offers services that are either unavailable on traditional telephone systems, or costly extras. These services include three-way calling, web-based management and forking. Web-base management is the ability to listen to voicemails and divert calls directly from your email address. Forking allows calls to your VoIP number to ring two or more separate phone lines. Forking is particularly advantageous if making business calls to India from your home and office.

Unfortunately at this current time, only a small number of VoIP service providers allow landline phone users to keep their numbers if they switch to VoIP. If keeping your number is important to you, keep your existing PSTN number for existing calls, and your VoIP system can be used purely for out-going calls. Another option is to divert all calls to your new VoIP number, although most landline companies will charge you for this service.

Author Bio: Costas Kariolis – Senior Director Online – UK & Canada. Vonage are leading VoIP (voice over IP) internet phone service providers. VoIP enables you to use your current high speed Internet Service and Phone to make VoIP Phone Calls using VoIP, whether Local or Long Distance. For interviews, quotes, images or comments contact: Costas Kariolis Senior Director Online – UK & Canada E-mail: theteam@vonage.com

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