Telephony at Large: VoIP and Packet8

Telephony is the technology that is behind making calls from the computer. There are several services that offer this type of technology that can easily be implemented on your own home computer. Two of them that are very comparable when it comes to price as well as service are VoIP and Packet8. Both of these companies are relatively new, as is the technology that allows calls to be made all over the world to landlines, cell phones and other computers all from the use of the internet.

Technological Advantages

VoIP.com is a company that has been offering the voice over internet protocol the longest. They have several packages from which to choose and you can get high speed internet as well as the option to be able to make calls from your computer. When you have VoIP, you can use the computer to make calls either with your keyboard or a speaker. You can also use a cell phone to run through the computer and make calls all over the world using the VoIP technology.

Packet8 is a relatively new service that costs a bit less than VoIP.com when it comes to monthly fees. Both VoIP and Packet8 are services that allow you to make unlimited numbers of calls from your computer, without having to worry about paying extra for the calls. Both VoIP and Packet8 include all of the calls in with the package. No matter where you call, there is no extra charge for using these services.

Technological Disadvantages

Both Packet8 and VoIP.com are not as secure as a land line. This is something that many people do not understand when they are using this type of service. Nor are they as reliable as a land line and they are both subject to power outages. Whereas a telephone land line is connected through a separate cable and will work even if the power is out, the VoIP services will not. Both Packet8 and VoIP have complaints regarding the information being choppy when transmitted, but this is not unusual when it comes to this type of technology. Packet8 will give discounts to those who experience significant interruptions of service.

Those who use Packet8 and VoIP voice the same concerns over security as well as choppy transmission of data. There is also the concern for security as eavesdropping is not only far more prevalent in VoIP services, but the laws are ambiguous when it comes to prosecuting eavesdroppers. When you are using either VoIP or Packet8, you should be sure not to discuss some information that may be very private. For the most part, however, the chances of your conversation being picked up by someone that you know are very remote. Many people who have VoIP.com, for example, say that they had more trouble when they had a cordless landline when it came to overhearing other conversations.

Anyone who wants to make calls all over the world using the computer can take advantage of the comparable services between VoIP.com and Packet8 - two of the best voice over internet protocol telephony companies operating today.