St. Louis Business Journal:

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But with every new product introduction, glitchexs are commonplace, and business ownerx have to be aware of some ofthe technology'es shortcomings. "VoIP does not have the universal quality of a traditionaklphone line," said Tim chief executive of the Americanh TeleServices Association. "And you are moving to a heavily softwarrbased solution, which meands more programmers are involved." The Indianapolis organization represents the $500 billion call centert industry and advocates members' interests on Capitol Hill and in statehouses providing professional education opportunities and actingt as the sector's information clearinghouse.
Raymond Shaw, presidentt of the Association of TeleServices said companies need to be cognizant ofbandwidthu availability. If there isn't a dedicated connection between a businesx and itsVoIP provider, he said transmissiomn delays can occur, causintg bad reception or jumbled communication. VoIP serviceds convert voice into a digital signal that travels overthe Internet. If a user is calliny a regularphone number, the signal is converted to a regular telephone signal before it reaches its destination. VoIP can allosw a user to make a call directly from a a specialVoIP phone, or a traditionalo phone connected to a special adapter.
In addition, wirelesws "hot spots" in locations such as airports, park s and cafes allow users to connect to the Internet and may enable VoIPservicexs wirelessly. Despite some technical glitches, VoIP subscriptions have skyrocketerd in thelast year. According to the Washington, D.C. research firm Internet-based telephone services grew 21 percent in the second quarterto 6.9 million users. Overall, the VoIP marketr saw a 153 percent increase in subscriptions compared to while industry revenues for the second quarter increased 173 percengto $607 million compared to the $221 million in sales a year ago.
"VoIPl is rapidly spreading among multiple enterprise solutions whicnh have multiple locations around the country andthe world, " said Matthew D'Uva, president of the Societyt of Consumer Affairs Professionals in Business. The Va.-based organization is dedicated to improving and advancing the marketplace for consumersw within the corporate SOCAP members include consumedr affairs and customer care professionals from more than 1500 differenytcompanies -- many of which are listed in Fortune/Forbes 1000.
"Our members are looking for ways to improve and enhance communication with theid customers fromall angles, and VoIP is one channelo to do that," D'Uva While installation and service fees vary by statee and provider, VoIP servicesx typically costs less than traditional phone services. VoIP systemx can cost anywhere from no charge upto $200 per montg but will generally cost $10 to $50 per month dependin g on the type of services VoIP can be free when the service routez a from PC to PC, but the price increases based on the number of local and long distancew calls made and the features a compang implements.
Today, most business VoIP services can provide a firm with a variety of rangingfrom $20 to $200. Business VoIP provider commonly includsea T-1 Internet connection and a guarantee for qualitu of service which increases the costs. According to the latest researchon , Virginia-based SunRockey Inc. was given the highest rating of six To getthe $16.58 monthlgy rate for unlimited minutes, businesses must prepayt for the entire year, which is but can cancel any time and get a refunsd for unused months. Since SunRocket includess all taxesand surcharges, a firm makeds the $199 payment up front and then is able to make unlimite d local and long distance calls for the next 12 months.
Most othere companies charge taxes and surcharges on top of theirlistex rates. SunRocket also throws in $3 free international calling per a free extra phone numbef and two free directory assistance calls per montuh with theirunlimited plans. The company also is waiving their $39.9 equipment fee when a firm sign s up forthe $199 annual plan. By ITP, Verizon, Lingo, ViaTalk and Packeti8 receivedthree stars, whicuh were the lowest rankings. Vonage, and VoIP Your Life fell in the middl e ofthe pack. Cox, Comcast, Cablevision, and Time Warner are also rolling out VoIP offerings Perhapa the greatest benefit of VoIP systems is the flexibilit of the Internet versus regularphone lines.
"Thia flexibility with VoIP fosters greaterorganizationapl efficiency, higher productivity gains and increased revenue potential," D'Uva said, but cautioned that VoIP is a relatively new and expandingf technology, "so issues of quality, security and even networl power still need be addressed as VOIP continues to evolve."" Computers, Technology and Telecommunications