Ip Phones Buyers Guide

Netting your voice go...

IP phones are telephones that allow speaking over an IP or Internet/Intranet protocol network. An extremely low cost being its chief benefit, it's the IP phone software that users generally pay for. Also known as Voice over Internet Protocol or VoIP, Broadband telephony, or Voice over Broadband, it's the voice that gets routed over an IP-based network.

How IP Phones function

IP phones use high-speed Internet services; the list comprises cable, DSL and broadband Internet connection. The service doesn't interfere with conventional phone services and allows retaining the existing phone number. With DSL and broadband, one shall require the conventional phone line to use the VoIP service for long distance calling, or faxing. The IP phones send digital data packets over the Internet instead of analog signals like conventional phones, which require far less bandwidth. This is why the IP phones make it cheaper to communicate. Plugging in a VoIP router into the modem and then connecting a phone to it is all that one needs to do for setting up the service.

Why choose the IP Telephone service

• The Money Saving Matter: Cost being the primary reason, though the IP telephone service packages vary, still they offer substantial savings over conventional phone service. And not only the facility to talk, the IP telephone service packages also come bundled with other services. If it's taken from a digital cable TV company that provides TV and Internet services, VoIP shall come with the aforementioned facilities; a broadband service provider shall allow the facility with their regular Internet connection.
  
• Zero-Confinement: IP telephony is not area bound. That means, the IP router can be taken anywhere and can be plugged into any computer to avail the facility. A high-speed connection is all that is required to make calls at the local charge.
  

Choosing the IP Telephony plan correctly

Plans are galore when it comes to choosing the IP Telephony services and the monthly rates vary according to it besides the number of minutes of long distance calls that are required. The option of unlimited long distance is a good idea with rates much lower than the conventional phones. And since there are some plans that offer free minutes, it's important to check whether it's included ibn the chosen one.

Setting Up the IP Connection

Starting off with the IP telephony is a process that can be covered in a whiz; the service provider shall provide the startup kit immediately upon payment and shall send the hardware within a few working days. All that is left now is to install the software, and an online configuration of the system. As soon as the router arrives, the phone needs to get plugged into it. A dial tone confirms success.

Drawbacks

• Emergency Dialing: IP telephony falls short when it comes to access 911 for emergencies. In conventional phone services, a specific address remains mentioned; with IP telephones, since they are not stationary most of the service providers offer an enhanced 911 service. This is dealt with by registering the user's location with the service provider, who routes the 911 calls to the nearest emergency call-centre. The enhanced 911 services can only locate an user if his or her current address remains listed.
  
• Power failures: A power failure doesn't affect a conventional phone line; with IP telephony, this is a major hassle since it runs on the broadband modem. To counter the problem, certain IP Telephony products are launched with batteries that provide up to eight hours of backup. The alternate method is to avail an Uninterruptible Power Supply or UPS, but even a short disruption can also corrupt the data in the midway.
  

Key Features

Key Features   Type   Display Type   Networking Interfaces		With over 100 IP Phones on the market, key features such as Type, Display Type & Networking Interfaces are important factors when buying. These features not only effect the performane and quality of the IP Phone you choose, but also the price. Shown below are price guides for a selection of IP Phones focusing on the key features: Type, Display Type & Networking Interfaces.

Type IP Wireless Phone £99.00 IP Phone £144.00 IP Video Phone £668.00 * IP Phone £144.00

Display Type Monochrome LCD £146.00

Networking Interfaces 2 x PBX Interface (RJ 11) £146.00

Price Guide

Min    £19.87 Avg    £150.44 Max    £1,643.75		Ip Phones cost anywhere from £19.87 for a basic IP Phone with few features to around £1,643.75 for a fully featured IP Phone.

Brand Guide

Popular Brands     Cisco     Polycom     3Com     Philips     Sava Value     Olympia		The most popular IP Phones brand is Cisco. The most expensive IP Phones brand is Avaya. If you're looking for a bargain then look out for Adapters.com branded IP Phones as generally they offer the cheapest IP Phones.