Archive for the ‘Phones and Services’ Category
SIP – Business Uses for SIP Trunking
SIP, otherwise known as Session Initiated Protocol has widely been used in verbal and written context with business telecommunications lingo. While this technology has been raved about and highly documented throughout the past recent years in tech blogs and websites, it can be somewhat difficult to understand exactly what SIP is and how it is used if you are somewhat new to telecommunication terminology. If you aren’t a CTO or CIO but run a business with high levels of voice and data traffic, this should help better explain the technology for you.
SIP runs over an IP (Internet Protocol) network. A network running the Internet Protocol previously allowed for data transfer between satellite office locations via private lines, for hosting websites, or hosting other data servers. Over the past decade however, new technologies and the explosion of VoIP (just think Vonage and Comcast phone) have given an IP network far greater importance and precedence over business communications.
SIP allows for simple daily business functions as simple as phone calls (inbound/outbound) utilizing VoIP technology but can be more diverse in the business environment. A daily function in the enterprise or business may be more complex functions such as conference calls that additionally may require multimedia (live stream video, live document presentations, etc.) as well.
Other functions and features made available through SIP can include push to talk or chat which has gained much momentum on the web in the e-commerce world. In today’s economic environment, this can easily equate into an ROI scenario due to the need to more quickly and easily allow the customer to make purchase decisions online, many times from mobile devices. The same ROI scenario can go with the web conferencing abilities made available through this technology.
As consumers and B2B clients become more tech savvy, businesses hungry for revenues are turning to SIP to help bridge gaps between marketing mediums and the closing sales process. It is through the convergence of multiple communications that this process can be streamlined and collaborated on.
While the above examples can be shown as uses for this technology there are many more applications that can and are being implemented in converged business telecommunications. Some of these include caller ID, IM (Instant Messaging), e-mail, and other web and voice based communications.
It is important to know that the QoS is not controlled by SIP in any way. The bandwidth and network configurations over that bandwidth as well as the carriers providing the bandwidths are just as important to the successful implementation of SIP in business communications. Other important aspects can be local hardware configurations and current in-use phone systems.
It is because of the many possibilities associated with a business embarking on purchasing an SIP solution that the use of a telecommunications broker or consultant is vital for successful deployment. Additionally, a broker or consultant can better suit your business with the proper solution or technology within your telecom budget.
This can be extremely important as some businesses are better suited for a smaller business VoIP or T-1 voice solution. A good broker will not oversell you and make sure one of the other solutions wouldn’t better suit you first.
No Longer Offering AT&T Pay Per Call
We are no longer offering AT&T’s Igenio pay per call/mobile advertising services through our site or pages. The termination was a sudden shock for us. This was not a decision on our part and we deeply regret losing a unique product for our business visitors. We believe in the product offered and we wish the best for AT&T. We know we do not need to send them our luck.
We will be looking for an alternate vendor with a comparable or better network for pay per call advertising in the near future. Hopefully we will be able to offer you this service within a few months.
Regretfully,
Aaron Siegel
Phone Service – Cell Phone Plan Tips
Learn Some Shopping Tips for Phone Service, Cell Phones to be Exact …
Shop Cell Phone Plans Here
With our current necessity for convenience and mobility it was only a matter of time with our previous needs in phone service, cell phones would become a dominant part of our lives and communication. Cell phones are capable of many functions however, without proper service, they can be just as good as worthless. Here we will cover the topic of finding the right cell phone carrier and plan to make your life of communication a smoother one. So without further delay, let’s get started.
1. Avoid Commercials – We all have been bombarded with the commercials on television. The battles rage on over who offers the best cell phone coverage for their customers. These battling carriers can have plenty of truth to their claims, but even large metropolitan areas have their weak spots. You will get a much better idea of the quality of service reception in your area by talking to those in your neighborhood as well as friends and relatives. By asking those close to you and your community, you can better grasp what more realistically work for you. By adding up the amount of support per carrier, you should have a good idea of what carrier you should most likely do business with.
2. Bad News Cell Phones - This is one of the more common mistakes made by consumers. They will see the newest phone on the market offered only through one carrier and end up with below satisfactory phone service, cell phone doesn’t seem so attractive anymore. There is no better example than the iPhone which was made exclusive only through AT&T. Many of the headlines on AT&T have been based on the quality of service associated with the large customer base of iPhone users, is it really AT&T’s fault? Consumers got excited over the iPhone and ignored anything about the carrier they would be contracted with. Basically, the problem with AT&T probably has more to do with the consumer than the carrier itself. Don’t be a bad consumer and make sure you go by carrier then phone, not vice versa.
3. Primary Function - What is your primary function? Other than making phone calls, will you be utilizing the Internet? Should you browse social sites, check emails often, or anything else online, you will want to make sure your carrier can provide good connectivity. You can use the step in number 1 to learn how other user’s experiences have been with their Internet. A cell phone can be capable of many fantastic tasks but not without the right carrier phone service.
4. Wireless Calling Plans – When it comes to mobile phone service, cell calling plans can be very expensive. Be realistic and understand how many people will really be using your wireless services. Two or more people using the service can qualify for a family calling plan instead of having two separate bills. With family plans you can all share the Internet, texting, and calling.
5. TONS of Minutes - Thousands of monthly minutes can look like a lot at first glance. It’s not uncommon for a cell phone customer to have bought what seemed like a bunch of minutes only to discover they have gone over their monthly spending limit. By going over your monthly limit, you can be charged excessive per minute charges that can be very costly. While the thousands of minutes can seem complex, there is a simple math trick to help simplify the minutes and give you a better idea of what you limits will be. Divide the minutes by 60 and the outcome of the equation will be the equal in hours so you can get a better idea of the real amount of talk time you will be getting.
Wireless Cell Phone – Buying Wireless Phones
Wireless Cell Phone Shopping Tips
So not owning a wireless cell phone seems almost foreign to many these days, however, finding the right phone for many still seems to be something that not many are able to completely figure out when it comes to satisfaction. Here are some tips to help you find the cell phone that is right for you.
Find the right carrier FIRST! Your wireless phone in regards to call, text, and Internet reception can only be optimal with the right coverage. Talk with friends and family on the provider they use the most for your area. Even better, go to a local cell phone shop and see what the sales people on the floor use for their own personal wireless carrier and ask them why.
Realize why you want to use the phone and what you want to use it for. Phones these days have so many functions that you will probably never just end up using your phone for just talking. If you text a lot it will be more convenient and time saving to have a Qwerty board. If you surf the Internet on your wireless phone, a larger sized screen will make sense for your sanity and eyes.
Another function that may be just as important as anything above is where you bring your phone as well. If you do a lot of outdoor jogging or work outdoors in a rugged environment, you will want a shock absorbent phone that can handle the abuse of the occasional fall or even accidental stomp.
Battery life is another concern you will want to address. If you are away from outlets a lot, you will need to make sure you have a phone that has a good amount of battery life. Most phones have their battery life stats on their boxes, displays, and online descriptions.
Form and function count when it comes to a wireless cell phone. Make sure the phone has buttons and navigation that are easy to use.



