Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), also called IP telephony, is the technology that allows you to
make voice calls via the internet instead of traditional phone lines. You can make calls using a dial-up connection or a broadband connection (however, a broadband connection is necessary for superior voice quality).

Types of VoIP Services

Free VoIP services

There are many Sacramento IT Companies who provide free VoIP services that allow you to make free computer-to-computer calls. These services are mainly designed for individual use and include such services as Yahoo Messenger, MSN Messenger, and Google Talk.
They provide you with instant messaging tools and also allow simple video conferencing. Skype is one of the most popular VoIP service providers, and most of its services are free. Skype allows you to make free Skype-to-Skype calls, video calls, and conference calls, and also provides an instant messenger tool. These free services work well for staying in touch with family and friends but may not provide you with the voice quality and reliability needed for your professional ongoing business needs.

Business VoIP services

These services are specifically intended for business use, offering the quality of services required by professionals, and consequently are not free. Companies offering business VoIP services include Packet8, Speakeasy, Vocalocity, Covad, and Vonage, one of the top leaders in internet telephony.
Vonage offers small business VoIP plans and charges a low, flat monthly fee for allowing you to make national and international calls. Skype also has a plan for business users which allows you to make unlimited phone calls (to a landline or cell phone) within the U.S.A and to Canada for a very low flat monthly fee. There are many such options in VoIP service providers offering a flat monthly fee from which to choose the best one to suit your requirements.