Every type of technology has its pros and cons, VOIP included. Here is a look at the advantages and disadvantages of VOIP.

The advantages of VOIP are numerous when you compare it to your every day phone service. Most of the benefits have to do with the cost. As long as you have a high-speed internet connection, VOIP can be used to call anywhere in the world for free – so no more long distance calls. Other services may charge fees, but it is often a lot cheaper than your everyday phone service. Another advantage of VOIP is that it is portable. You can make and receive phone calls anywhere you have a broadband connection where you can log into your VOIP account. That makes VOIP calling as simple as email, so you can use it when on the go. Internet phones are also small and easy to take with you, and your phone number remains valid no matter where you are in the world. Often, the popular features like call forwarding, voice mail, and caller ID are included at no extra charge.

This does not mean that there is not a disadvantage of VOIP. VOIP cons include that you may lose service during a power outage. Traditional phone service continues during a blackout, but this is not possible with Internet phones since you need electricity to access the internet. In some cases, battery backups and/or power generators can help to solve this problem. Another of the cons of VOIP is that emergency or 911 calls may be limited. When you call 911 from a traditional line, but cannot speak or have to hang up the phone, they can trace the call and send someone to your aid. However, with VOIP they cannot trace the call. Technologies are in the making to address this. VOIP may also have quality and reliability issues, since the information arrives scrambled and has to be sorted in real time. Dropped data packets can cause brief silences. Also, you need to have a reliable internet connection, so in a high-traffic area you may lose quality.

Only you can decide if the VOIP pros and cons balance out in favor of you getting the service or not. Take time to review your options to find the service that is best for you. Compare different providers as well, since different providers may offer different options and different VOIP pros and cons to consider.