The VoIP telephony is an enormous boom for people looking for low cost connectivity. But along with the admiration and joy of the availability of such a service whereby it is possible to make international calls at a low cost and from any corner of the world, there is also trepidation over choosing the right kind of service provider.

The IP network is an efficient means of getting connected. The entire process is simply fascinating wherein connectivity is achieved after converting the analog voice format to a digital form and then transferring it over the internet. So, the technology relies on a great number of factors for its smooth functioning. The right kind of service provider can only provide the best services. VoIP Providers are many in number but the users should consult with others before signing up with any of their services.

IP telephony services have to pass through different phases before reaching the receivers. The voice first gets transferred through a DSL network to reach the central office. The moment a voice travels to the central office it becomes inevitable for it to be carried by a carrier after passing through a switch, designated for the purpose. The call may be carried by an International Carrier, an Inter-Exchange Carrier or a Cellular Provider of repute. There may be an international service provider involved- having their own network and providing services to their customers internationally. Then there are also the other VoIP service providers that provide services after leasing them from international providers. So, they depend on the higher tiers for terminating calls. It is not just ‘call termination’, but also other factors such as quality of sound and quick access that are a cause of concern. Also, the cost charged by different voice over IP providers may vary. So, it is very important for the end users to cross-check facts before subscribing to any such services.

The business VoIP providers offer a range of value-added services in the form of Voicemail, Call Forwarding, CallerID, Call Waiting, 3 Way Calling and Speed Dialing. These are absolutely required for effective functioning of an organisation. Normally call-centres that opt for voice over services suffer extremely if these are devoid of any of these facilities. That is the reason why it is always recommended to ‘choose before you opt’. Even for users at home, it is necessary to check upon the tariff plans of the provider so that the customer always remains benefited after availing the VoIP service.

The other aspects that should be considered while choosing a Voice over IP provider are the technical support that it offers. The users must look for efficient customer support and infrastructural support. It should also be ensured that the service is provided with broad bandwidths. The reason behind it is that the bandwidth improves the quality of sound.