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VoIP Calling Plans and Features
There is a wide variety of calling plans currently available from VoIP providers. This article will discuss how these plans are structured, and explain included features as well as optional ones. This should provide a potential buyer with helpful information in choosing a provider and service plan.
There are two major categories for VoIP plans. These are usually referred to as Basic and Unlimited:
Basic Plans
Most providers offer a basic plan that includes features such as call id, call waiting, call waiting id, advanced voice-mail and 3-way calling at no additional cost. The major limitation of these basic plans is the number of included long-distance minutes per month. So if you are interested in trying VoIP at a minimum cost, or want VoIP but do not do a lot of long-distance calling, then a basic plan could be the best choice for you.
These plans range in cost from approximately $10-$20 per month, depending on the provider and the number of included long-distance minutes. For more detailed information see our VoIP comparison article, which lists plans and features available from 5 major providers.
Unlimited Plans
The major difference between basic and unlimited plans is that unlimited plans include unlimited long-distance calling to the US, Canada, and with some providers, Europe. Vonage is one provider that currently offers unlimited home service that includes unlimited long-distance to the US, Canada and Europe for $24.99 per month.
Unlimited In-Network Calling
With both types of plans, some providers offer unlimited in-network calling. This feature is similar to the free in-network calling offered by wireless providers. All calls made between users of the same VoIP provider are free, regardless of distance.
Additional Features
VoIP offers many additional features. Some of these features are available from traditional carriers, but at a much higher price. Some of these features are only available with VoIP service. These features include virtual phone numbers, 800 service, add-a-line, dedicated fax line and videophone capability.
Virtual phone numbers are secondary numbers that can be added using any area code that is available from a provider. Most providers offer the ability to add a virtual phone number for approx. $5 to $10 per month.
800 service allows toll-free inbound calling to the VoIP user’s location. This feature usually includes a limited number of inbound toll-free minutes for approximately $5 – $10 per month. Vonage, for example, offers toll-free 800 service with 100 inbound minutes for only $4.99 per month. Unlimited inbound calling is available at a higher price that varies considerably among providers.
Adding a dedicated fax line is another feature offered by most providers. This feature usually costs from $10-$15 per month, and again includes a limited number of inbound/outbound fax minutes.
Add-a-line allows a VoIP user to add another number to their VoIP account at a very reasonable cost. Costs for this feature vary widely among providers – please see our VoIP service provider comparison table.
Another unique feature that is available with VoIP service is videophone capability. This allows the user to conduct video calls using his existing pc hardware or a dedicated VoIP videophone. This capability, while available from the traditional carriers, is offered by VoIP providers at a much lower cost. Prices for videophone capability range from approximately $5 per month with limited minutes up to approximately $20 per month for unlimited video calls.
Summary
One of the main advantages of VoIP is its ability to offer more features at a lower cost than that of the traditional carriers. Hopefully this article has provided enough information for you to be able to compare these features among providers and choose the VoIP service that is right for you. For a quick reference to plans offered by the major VoIP providers, see our article entitled Choosing a VoIP Service Provider.
Next, we will discuss the hardware required to use VoIP service with your existing analog telephones.