Voice over Internet Protocol, also commonly referred to as VoIP, has been a major player in the Portales communications industry since 2004. It is difficult to imagine that less than a decade ago the idea of using anything other than a phone to make a call was novel. Today, VoIP phone services are getting to be commonplace on the consumer market, giving huge numbers of people the opportunity to carry out conversations around the world.
VoIP is a set of technologies that deliver voice communications using the internet. To do this, the analog voice signal must be digitized, encoded and transmitted as Internet Protocol packets which is then received, decoded and converted to the proper signal according to the call's final destination.
VoIP calls in Portales are placed using either a computer, VoIP phone or conventional telephone that is hooked up to an adapter. With Portales, NM VoIP phone service calls can be made to either a phone or another computer, providing you with more flexibility in how you can communicate with family, friends and colleagues.
There are several similarities and differences between Portales VoIP and traditional phone services.
Just like traditional phone service, VoIP customers in Portales can make local, long distance and also international calls. Calls can be made to any phone number whether it's a landline or a mobile phone.
VoIP phone calls provide good sound quality and calls are received the same way you would receive a traditional phone call if you are using a VoIP phone or regular phone that's connected to an adapter. The people you're calling won't be able to distinguish a traditional call from a VoIP call.
Portales VoIP providers offer customers the same great calling features as traditional phone companies and they've got a variety of calling plans as well.
Unlike traditional phone services in Portales, you will need an internet connection to make VoIP phone calls. For this reason you might not be able to place calls if your power goes out. Before you sign up for service ask the provider whether they]ve got backup power or another solution when your power goes out.
VoIP calls are delivered over a packet switched network and do not require any phone lines, whereas traditional phone services a delivered over the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and require phone lines in order to receive service. So traditional phone service is limited to your residence while VoIP service can be portal and utilized from any spot that has an internet connection.
However, this portability does have one drawback that isn't an issue with traditional phone service. Emergency 911 calls made employing a traditional phone service goes to a Public Safety Answering Point where the location and phone number can automatically and easily be identified. If you're using a VoIP phone service this information may not be automatically transmitted to 911 operators and when they do the location will be where the Portales VoIP phone service is registered, not the location where the caller is at that exact time.
Today there are a number of Portales VoIP providers to select from that offer both residential and business phone services. As outlined above, each provider offers their own unique services, plans and prices. Because VoIP phone service doesn't require phone lines you are not limited to providers that are strictly in your city.
Make sure to find out about the equipment required for service, their policy for handling 911 calls and power outages, what calling areas are a part of their plans and if there will be any installation fees.
Vonage was among the first to provide VoIP phone services and to this day remains a popular choice among consumers. Although their headquarters are in the U.S. they provide service worldwide for both businesses and residences.
Other top Portales VoIP providers include: AT&T, Nextiva, RingCentral, Vocalocity and 8x8, Inc.