When selecting the VoIP provider, one should bear in mind technical features and prices as prime selection criteria. The perfect VoIP provider should provide soft and call shop solutions that allow for low cost high quality national and international calls at any time, even without having an IP phone.

Any VoIP provider allows its customers to make voice calls using a broadband Internet connection instead of a regular (or analog) phone line. Some VoIP services may only allow for calls directed to other person using the same service, while others may grant the go-ahead to call anyone who has a telephone number - including local, long distance, mobile, and international numbers. Also, while some VoIP providers only work over your computer or a special VoIP phone, other services allow you to use a traditional phone connected to a special VoIP adapter.

Regardless the VoIP provider, a broadband (high speed Internet) connection is required for using VoIP services. This can be through a cable modem, or high speed services such as DSL or a local area network. Next, a computer, adaptor, or specialized phone is necessary, and that is a feature that could make the difference between VoIP service providers. Some VoIP services only work over your personal computer or a special VoIP phone, while other services allow you to use a traditional phone connected to a VoIP adapter.

If you use your computer, you will need some extra software, a microphone and headsets easy on your pocket. Special VoIP phones plug directly into your broadband connection and operate largely like a traditional telephone. If you use a telephone with a VoIP adapter, you'll be able to dial just as you always have, and the service provider may also provide a dial tone. Then call shop solutions of the VoIP providers should be generous, flexible and "sticky" enough for many clients, offering free call shop or billing system, free softphone, cheap prepaid phone calls on stable lines and the chance for users to view their present balance.

All these technical details must be known before getting into a written contract. Technical features should always translate as benefits on the clientele behalf. As for the price, there is no simple straight answer to be given. Pricing is always a relative factor, mostly related to quality in the long run. What suits for some of the clients might be considered inadequate by others. That is the reason why VoIP providers usually come up on the market with several call shop solutions and packages, with the obvious intention to satisfy as many demands as possible.

Some VoIP providers offer their services for free, normally only for calls to other subscribers to the service. Some VoIP providers charge for a long distance call to a number outside your calling area, similar to existing, traditional wireline telephone service. Others permit you to call anywhere at a flat rate for a fixed number of minutes. So, think of your needs and choose accordingly. If, let's say, you need to make a lot of overseas calls, then you most likely prefer a call shop solution including international calls at reasonable rates. The call shop rates must be thoroughly checked also according to area codes or whether they differ for call waiting, call display or conference call services.

Indeed, with so many requirements and lots of choices, it can be quite puzzling to make up your mind. However, one should always look for a VoIP provider that offers directory assistance, flexible call shop solutions and a money-back guarantee, as indicators of their reliability.