For more than a century, landline phone service has been a popular means of communication. Traditional phone companies had little technological competition for much of that time. The entrance of cell phones into the market didn’t even shake the landline phone industry because people didn’t cancel their landline services; they just added cell phones. VoIP, however, is proving to be a true technological competitor. The underdog, if you will, that’s making its way to the top.

When VoIP phone service first emerged, it was like any other new technology. There were some people who were interested in it but many more who were skeptical. “Phone service through a cable instead of a phone line or a phone tower? Couldn’t work, could it?” The skeptics balked at the idea of VoIP while the optimists jumped at the opportunity to try something new. The optimists who dumped their landline phone services, ordering up VoIP and hoping for the best were rewarded for taking the risk. Those optimists found that VoIP was comparable to their old landline phone services with a few subtle differences—occasional dropped calls and so-so voice quality—but they also discovered that there was one huge difference that made VoIP incomparable to landline phone service: The price. They discovered that the savings from using VoIP far outweighed the slight, infrequent inconveniences they experienced with the fledgling technology.

Fast-forward to present day and many of the optimists who gave VoIP a go when it was in its inaugural stages are smiling like the Cheshire Cat. Why? Because they’ve saved hundreds of dollars over the years on their phone service and because many of the common VoIP kinks present when the technology was first introduced have been worked out. Today, VoIP phone quality is so clear that landline users can’t even tell the difference when they’re speaking over the phone with VoIP users. As for the dropped call issue, it is not an issue anymore at all. What hasn’t changed is that the cost of VoIP is still a bargain compared to landline phone services. Most VoIP phone services still treat voicemail, unlimited local and long distance, and call waiting as standard features of the service. A number of VoIP companies still offer rates for international calling well below those of other phone service providers. Plus, VoIP still provides users with a significant break on the taxes and fees associated with other services.

So what’s the downside of VoIP? In a word: Equipment. To use VoIP, you can’t just pick up a telephone line from Target, grab your phone, and plug them both in. VoIP does not run off of traditional phone lines. Instead, it runs off of broadband signals. So, if you’re thinking of switching to VoIP, you will need to have a broadband connection and a modem. Some providers may also require a special phone but a majority of VoIP services work with regular phones. When it’s all said and done, the average company may require an equipment investment of around $125, give or take. The good news is that’s a one-time investment so if you compare one year of full-service VoIP phone service to comparable landline services, you’ll find that you’ll still save with VoIP.

While landline phone service used to be the standard in America, that’s quickly changing. Between the high price of gas, today’s uncertain job market, and the ever-present desire to live life rather than just pay for it, consumers are becoming more open to VoIP. They’re saying “ba-bye” to traditional phone services, switching to VoIP, and pocketing the savings! If you’re interested in learning more about VoIP providers in your area, visit Bridgevine.com.

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