Voice over Internet Protocol

Tips on toll-free numbers offered by VoIP service provider


VoIP and toll-free numbers:

A toll-free number – whether a voice over Internet protocol number (VoIP) or a traditional phone number – is one which allows people located anywhere within the United States to call you at no long-distance charge to them.

Why get a toll-free VoIP number?:

Toll-free telephone numbers have many great and practical uses. They’re helpful in acquiring new customers and clients and for empowering your customers and clients to be able to reach you free-of-charge to them. VoIP toll-free numbers are also perfect for parents of college students who want their kids to feel free to call them from anywhere at any time without having to worry about the phone bill.

The cost of a toll-free VoIP number:

While toll-free phone numbers do not generally come free as part of most voice over Internet protocol packages, VoIP toll-free phone numbers are nevertheless much cheaper to buy than traditional toll-free telephone numbers.

The way many VoIP service providers do it is by charging a set fee to the customer for every minute of toll-free phone use. This is a far more cost-effective way to get the benefits of having a toll-free phone number without having to pay some ridiculous monthly flat rate to own one.

How businesses can get the most out of a toll-free VoIP number:

One popular use of voice over Internet protocol toll-free numbers is as vanity numbers (1-800-FLOWERS being a prime example). A vanity toll-free voice over Internet protocol number can be a name, a word or an acronym, and it should be one that people will easily remember and associate with your business. If you run a small business (or a large one, for that matter) then you ought to consider maximizing the value you get from your toll-free VoIP number by choosing a vanity number that can help you drive customers and clients to your business.

Toll-free VoIP numbers are portable:

Voip service providers already allow you to keep your existing phone number when switching to their voice over Internet protocol service, but as an added incentive to consider a toll-free number, the FCC, in 1991, mandated that all toll-free numbers be portable, meaning that their owners could keep them for life, even if changing phone providers.

 

The toll-free VoIP exchanges:

Just like with traditional toll-free numbers, with voice over Internet protocol there are still four toll-free exchanges:


These exchanges are not interchangeable, meaning that dialing the same 7-digit number after each of those prefixes will route you to four different destinations.

If a toll-free VoIP numbers sounds right for you…

Many (if not most) Voip service providers offer toll-free voice over Internet protocol as an optional service, but not all do. And if toll-free service is a feature you think you may want to have, then be sure that the VoIP service provider you’re thinking of signing up with does indeed offer toll-free numbers before you sign on the dotted line.

 

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