Top 10 Features of VoIP Providers

Broadband phone services are in high demand thanks to VoIP.   Whereas Vonage and Skype were once the only providers, the technology has exploded with many different VoIP providers to chose from.  With mobile broadband internet phones becoming increasingly popular, service providers will continue to grow in numbers with companies competing to offer you the lowest price and best set of features.

The broadband phone service industry has become highly competitive, a great advantage to you as the consumer can generally request the services they want from a provider.  While the features are abundant, here are the top 10 currently being offered:

1.) Standard Call Features - Even though broadband internet phones come with enhanced functionality, VoIP providers typically offer standard features that come included with traditional phone services. 

2.)  Call Blocking - Broadband phone service providers offer many different types of call blocking so choosing one that suits your needs is vital.  For instance, you have individual blocking by number as well as automatic telemarketing blocking.  With broadband internet phone spam on the rise, this might another blocking feature you want to look into. 

3.)  Call Hunting - Call hunting is another useful feature that can be added to your broadband phone service plan.  If you were expecting an important call but had to step out, the caller would be directed to a designated ring list, automatically dialing alternative numbers until you are reached.  This feature helps to ensure that you never miss another important phone call. 

4.  Call Transfer - This feature allows you to answer your broadband internet phone regardless of location.  It also provides the ability to switch to another phone at any time during that call.  Call transfer offers great convenience and is ideal for switching between desktop and mobile phone calls.

5.  Caller ID - Most broad phone providers have all the simple yet effective features.  Just as with your land line or mobile phone, it is always good to know who is calling on the other line. 

6.  Free Network Calls - Many of today’s cell phone providers offer plans that allow you to make free calls to users in the same network.  Several broadband phone providers offer the same deal, a factor that could help you save a lot of money on VoIP calls.  This service really comes in hand if everyone in your household has a broadband internet phone.  

7.  Mobile Forwarding – This feature is wonderful as it allows you to seamlessly forward calls between the home, office and mobile phone with the same phone number.  Some broadband phone service providers offer plans with enhanced forwarding that allow you to forward your incoming calls to as many of five different phone numbers.  Depending on the provider, this feature may be referred to as Find Me or Follow Me. 

8.)  Ringtones - Ringtones offer a convenient means for knowing just who is calling your phone,  a feature that is becoming increasingly popular in broadband phone services. 

9.)  Optional area codes - Another flexible feature broadband phone company’s offer is the luxury to choose your own area code.  If you currently live in Michigan but have several family members in Nevada, this feature would allow you to place local calls to their area code and save tremendously. 

10.) Web-based Interface - The beauty of VoIP providers is that they give you the ability to place calls over the internet.  The concept is even more appealing with an intuitive interface that makes placing and organizing your calls much easier. 

As VoIP continues to become more widespread, more broadband phone providers are sure to arrive on the scene.  Regardless of the company, it is important to pick a service that offers all the features you need at the most reasonable price.  We recommend that you read a broadband phone review or two and then compare the prices and features being offered by different providers.