Phone Service

A phone connected to the phone line.

Must be within the cell phone network for reception.

A phone adapter must be connected to a broadband Internet connection. No computer is necessary.
It may also be possible to connect the phone adapter directly to existing wiring or trunks so no internal phone system changes will be needed.

Wired or wireless access to a broadband Internet connection. You will need a computer, cell phone with Internet or other mobile computing device to make calls.

Regular phone

Cell phone

VoIP Phone Adapter and a regular or IP phone.

It is possible to use the computer's built in microphone and speakers, but a headset which you can plug into your computer's microphone and speaker jacks, will usually yield clearer communication.

Hardware installation may be needed

None

Hardware installation and configuration will be needed

Software installation and configuration will be needed

Basic service typically under $30 per month. There may also be an activation fee.

Basic service typically from $30 per month. There may also be an activation fee. Service plans usually include a number of minutes. Additional minutes can cost dimes per minute.

Basic service typically under $30 per month. There may also be an activation fee and/or shipping fees for the VoIP adapters. Service plans usually include a number of minutes. Additional minutes can cost pennies per minute.

Basic service may be free. An inbound phone number may cost a few dollars a month. There may also be an activation fee. Service plans usually include a number of minutes. Additional minutes can cost pennies per minute.

Dimes or a dollar or more per minute

Long distance is usually included in service plans.

Long distance is usually included in service plans.

Long distance is usually included in service plans.

Dimes or a dollar or more per minute

International calling may not be possible with some carriers so it may be necessary to use an International calling service.

Pennies to dimes (and up) per minute

Pennies to dimes (and up) per minute

Use where the phone line is located.

Use anywhere within the cell phone network.

Use in any location where you can plug the phone adapter into a broadband Internet connection.

Use in any location with a common wired or wireless broadband Internet connection.

Very good quality and reliability

Depends on the provider and location

There can be more variability since calls may travel from your local network, through a broadband Internet provider, through the Internet, through the VoIP provider and then into the phone system.

There can be more variability since calls may travel from a computer, through a broadband Internet provider, through the Internet, through the VoIP provider and then into the phone system.

Additional features, like toll free numbers are usually available as add-ons.

Features like voicemail and 3-way calling are typically included in the monthly cost.

Features like voicemail and 3-way calling are typically included in the monthly cost.

Features like voicemail and 3-way calling are typically included in the monthly cost. Many computer-based phone services support video calls and video conferencing.

Location identification is built in for regular phone service

911 calls from a cell phone are typically routed to centralized regional emergency response service and then transferred to local emergency response services once the location has been verified.

Service providers vary on how 911 calls are handled.

Software only services generally do not offer emergency dialing support.

Yes

NA

It depends: There may be compatibility issues so you will need to check with your alarm company. If VoIP cannot function directly, it is possible to (1) add an alarm system/VoIP adapter, (2) switch to a wireless transmitter, or (3) keep a regular phone line for the alarm to use.

Same as phone VoIP