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Features of VoIP Phones and the Great Ease it Provides


VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) Phones are really no ordinary phones; they are considered mobile but still needs to be connected through a wire. Its functionality is far more modern than landline and mobile phones though VoIP phones have features that can be found too in a typical landline and most cellular phones.

In landline and mobile phones, caller ID, voicemail, fax, 3-way calling, call blocking, call waiting, call forwarding, Last number redial, 411 directory, local number portability and 911 service are the most present and offered. These types of phone services may have other features aside from listed above.

With a VoIP phone service, those features enumerated above are only basic features that every device and service have. Some operators or providers do not ask any extra payment for the basic features.

For a clearer understanding of all the basic features of a VoIP phone service, here are some information to read.

CALLER ID

This is a feature that will let a receiver know the caller's number and identity. Every time your phone rings, the caller's number and identity will be displayed in the screen. Actually, only the number of the caller will appear in the phone's display screen unless otherwise, the caller is included in the saved contact entry phone memory. However, callers that have the same network provider as yours will have their name displayed on your phone every time they call.

The term for the caller ID varies according to the provider and country. In some countries, caller ID is rather termed as Caller Line Identification Presentation (CLIP), Call Line Identity (CLID) or Call Capture. Call Display is what Canadians refer to caller ID. When a caller ID is provided through ISDN phone line, it is called a Calling Line Identification or CLI for short.

VOICEMAIL

This is a good feature to busy persons that doesn't have enough time to catch all calls for the day. This is basically a recorded voice message of the caller whenever nobody answers the phone. Answering machines are the counterpart of the voicemail feature. The difference between the two is that, voicemails are saved in the network and can be retrieved through a network system, while in answering machines; voice messages are stored in the machine's memory or in older versions in a recordable tape.

Voicemail are activated when a caller reached the maximum rings programmed by the network. When the maximum allowed rings are reached, the network automatically diverts the call to the voicemail.

FAX

This feature is commonly known as IP Faxing. While landlines use its own network to send and receive fax messages, VoIP phone services utilize the internet to transmit and accept such messages. This feature works by transmitting fax data on the internet and is forwarded to fax servers. Fax servers then convert the data and are transferred to a normal telephone connection. It is then received by the party the message is sent to as a normal fax.

3-WAY CALLING

Using this feature will allow you to talk with a maximum of 3 persons at the same time. This means that the conversation is heard and done by the three parties. Telephone Conferencing and 3-way calling is the same in terms of its purpose and concept. However, in telephone conferencing, one may call more than three persons at the same time.

In the future, multiple-way calling will now be available allowing one to call more than three persons at the same time.

CALL BLOCKING

Call blocking is a basic VoIP phone feature in which one may block a caller. This can be possible if you add the name and the number of the person you want to block in your blocking list. Calls from a blocked caller are automatically rejected and your phone will not ring.

Many people use this feature for call management purposes. Unwanted and unsolicited calls are annoying and for sure you do not want to be disturbed by such. With the use of the Call blocking feature, you can filter callers and allow those who you want to hear only.

CALL WAITING

The concept of call waiting is very simple; allowing two callers to be on the line while one is on line and the other is on hold. With call waiting feature, important calls can no longer be missed. Many people use the call waiting feature because it greatly aids them to receive and answer all calls while they are in the phone.

VoIP phones do have other features that are not present to landline and cellular phones. Because VoIP phones use the internet for connection, there are plenty of features that are supported by wide internet capability.