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So you’re ready to enjoy unlimited long distance calling and lower monthly phone bills. Well, before you make the switch, here are five steps that will help you get the VoIP plan that is best for you.

Make the Decision

Yes, it is new technology, and sometimes we are scared of the unknown. VoIP technology is on the rise and many high profile computer companies are already switching to VoIP and in return are becoming service providers. AOL, Sprint, and Verizon are offering VoIP as well as Internet Messaging services such as Yahoo, MSN, and AOL IM. First you must come to the decision that VoIP is best for you, your family, or your business needs. Research VoIP on the web and its providers. Talk to people that you know have already made the switch. Once you have made your decision to switch to VoIP, you are ready for the next step.

Choose the Plan that is Right for You

A good idea is to make a written list of your needs, wants, and features in a phone. This will help you compare different plans and choose the service provider that will best fit your needs. If you are looking for residential or business service, make sure that you note that in your list. Residential plans usually come in two forms- basic (which is a certain amount of minutes) and unlimited (which will give you unlimited local and long distance talk time). Business plans can include amenities such as multiple phones, greater minute talk time, greater unlimited calling plans, business features bundled with your plan, faxing and voicemail to your computer capabilities, and extras such as yellow page listings. Check with the company to find the plan that meets your requirements.

Setting up the System

Some service providers will send you the equipment that you need to begin using VoIP. You will first need to make sure that your computer system is compatible with the VoIP service. You will also need to have high speed Internet already installed with your computer. If you are using VoIP for a business or for a call center, it is best to leave the installation to a professional. Installing VoIP for a residence or home office is typically simple enough for most residents to do themselves.

Choosing your Phone Number

One of the best features that VoIP has to offer is the freedom to select your own telephone number. If you just want to transfer your old number to your new VoIP system, check with your service provider before making your final decision. Many VoIP providers will allow you to transfer your phone number.

If you want to select a different area code, this option has many advantages. First, for friends and family members who don’t have unlimited long distance calling, selecting the same area code as them can save them money. They will appreciate being able to call you as if it were a local call.

This strategy is also very beneficial for those whose businesses are targeting specific areas. Say there is a California company, yet they want to increase business in Tampa, Florida. By selecting the Tampa, Florida area code, they can increase sales and productivity by having a local number for customers to call. This also reduces the need for a toll free number.

Install your Features and Accessories

VoIP comes with many features included in your service plan. For residential customers these include Voicemail, Caller ID, Call Forwarding, Call Block, and Do Not Disturb. Always check with your service provider for a detailed listing of the features included with your plan. For Small businesses, amenities such as multi phone users, free fax lines, and integrating your VoIP and web features are all available. VoIP also contains many of the same features bundled with basic plans as well. When you are choosing a provider, compare their business plans and select the one that best fits your business needs.

As VoIP technology continues to advance, a new array of accessories appears on the market. Today you can choose from VoIP phones, headsets, and even VoIP videophones that work as a web camera incorporating video with your audio.

The Wall Street Journal and the Heritage Foundation (A conservative think tank) just came out with their most recent Index of Economic Freedom. This index measures the relative economic freedom the people of each country have. This study is performed by economists from around the world.

The study takes into account too many factors to list here: Taxes, corruption, government spending, property rights, regulations, barriers to business, tariffs, etc. The countries with the best ratings are countries that have a free market economy and small governments. The countries with the worst ratings have large and oppressive governments and a lot of barriers to free enterprise.

The Founding Father’s of this country envisioned a small government and a free market economy; unfortunately, our current politicians believe in large government and excessive regulation. The United States has fallen to being tied for the 12th best country in regards to economic freedom. This poor ranking is due to excessive government spending and the enormous deficits the Republican and Democratic parties have managed to accumulate since World War Two.

According to the research performed by these economists, 36% of the entire GDP of the United States is government spending. This is an amazing and frightening statistic. What this means is that the government spends over one third of all money spent in this country. The other two thirds is spent by the citizens of this country, the ten million illegal aliens residing in this country, foreign tourists, and American and foreign businesses doing business in the United States. Prior to World War Two, government spending in the United States was under 4%! The government is growing at an alarming and unsustainable pace.

Both The Republican and Democratic parties believe in large government and increasing regulation. Neither party has made any attempt to do anything other then grow government. The main difference between the two parties is what they want to spend our tax money on, not how much of our money, our children’s money, and our grandchildren’s money they want to spend. Both parties want to spend every dollar they get their hands on, this is not enough for them, so they are now borrowing from future generations.

Consider this; Germany is a socialist country in every sense of the word. Their government is large. They have large and generous retirement and entitlement programs, they have a government health care system, and they have all of the social programs you would associate with a Socialist country. The German government spends 49% of its total GDP.

The United States is not far behind. We are becoming more Socialist each and every year. We are losing our civil liberties every year. I used to associate this with the Democratic Party, I no longer do. The Republican Party has had a majority in the House, Senate, and a Republican President in office for the last four years. In those four years the Federal government has increased education spending by 78%, passed a large and ineffective prescription drug program that benefits the drug companies rather then our senior citizens, and increased spending on EVERY government program.

I believe in a smaller, more efficient government. I believe in the power of the fifty states to make their own laws without undue Federal intervention. I believe that bigger is not necessarily better. I believe that individual’s are responsible for their own actions. I believe we need less regulation and fewer barriers to business owners. I believe in the United States Constitution. I believe this country is still the greatest country on Earth; however, I believe it is in grave danger.

If you feel as I do, please contact me. We have organized a group of like minded people in Allen County and we are politically active in local politics. We need to elect some people to public office with views like ours and we need to keep the public informed about what our government is doing. Please call me at 260-338-0833 or contact us at AllenCountyLP.org.

Mike Sylvester
Chairman, Libertarian Party of Allen Country
Fort Wayne

About the Author

I am a happily married citizen in Fort Wayne, Indaina. I have two wonderful children. I am a returning adult student at IPFW preparing for the CPA exam.

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