What is VoIP? VoIP is a way of routing phone calls over the internet that makes sense for most people with high speed internet. VoIP service depends on your high speed internet and power, so if you have frequent power or internet outages, you may want to stay with traditional phone service. Need Assistance? If you require installation assistance, Simplicity Force can help. An advisor will connect the VoIP device to your existing high speed internet connection and your existing phone system. Simplicity Force can also help in deciding which provider is right for you. Feel free to call today for a no cost comparison.   VoIP Phone Service Comparisons With the recent changes in phone service offerings, VoIP systems make sense for most people with high speed internet. With the increased popularity of the service, the problem has become deciding which service is best for you. This guide compares four current options: your cable provider, traditional VoIP, "free" VoIP and computer based VoIP. Cable Providers have recently entered the VoIP market and provide  full service telephone offerings. They usually feature unlimited domestic calling with many advanced calling features such as caller ID and voicemail. Installation and service is provided by the local cable company. This option provides the highest level of service and usually low upfront cost, but higher monthly cost. First year total cost for Charter in Mount Pleasant, MI: $450. (Discounts available when bundled with other services.) Traditional VoIP service uses an existing high speed internet to provide phone service at lower rates. They usually feature unlimited domestic and greatly discounted international calling with many advanced calling features such as caller ID and voicemail. These providers usual offer some form of discount on the necessary equipment, and charge slightly less than cable provider per month. These services include Vonage and Packet8. First year total cost for Vonage: $275 (with first month free offer.) "Free" VoIP is a new offering from OOMA. It offers most (but not all)features of traditional VoIP for free. (It still requires an existing high speed internet connection.) The only catch is you must purchase an OOMA device (available from Amazon for $250.) For a full set of features, users can upgrade to a $100 per year plan. First year total cost for OOMA: $290. Computer Based offerings are similar to other VoIP offerings, but they use computers and free software instead of a phone adapter to complete calls. These services, such as Skype, usually provide free calling between users on their network. Other calling services such as calling to and from traditional phones incur a small fee. (In most cases it is not possible to transfer an existing number.) Additional hardware can be purchased to make the experience more like that of using a traditional phone. First year total cost for Skype, with the ability to connect with traditional phones: $66 plus optional hardware.