Although VoIP does provide plenty of advantages and features, there are a few disadvantages to this new technology that you should be aware of. This article will briefly discuss these disadvantages.

Probably the most widely talked-about disadvantage of VoIP concerns 911 emergency service. Due to the fact that VoIP is not geographically based, there can be problems with connecting to local 911 emergency service. 911 emergency services were designed around the traditional PSTN telephone network. The method used to provide your home address information to the 911 operator is built into the phone system. VoIP can not take advantage of this feature, so providers have had to devise other methods of address reporting.

The first thing to be aware of is the difference between 911 and E911 (or Enhanced 911 ) service. Basic 911 service means that, when you dial 911, you will be connected to the local 911 emergency operator based on the local address you have furnished to your VoIP provider. Your address information will not be reported. E911 service means that your address will be provided to the operator in electronic form - if you are unable to speak for some reason, the operator is still able dispatch police and fire units to your location.

With both types of VoIP 911 service, the local 911 service that is contacted is dependent on the local address you provide when you sign up for VoIP service. The important distinction with VoIP and E911 service is that the address reported by your VoIP provider is the address you provide when you sign up for VoIP service. So it is important for you to keep your VoIP provider updated with your current address if you move.

Another disadvantage of VoIP is that it depends on your high speed internet access to be up and running. If your ISP is having problems and your connection is not available, you will not be able to place VoIP calls. Most ISP's are extremely reliable, but this fact does need to be considered. You would not likely want to rely on VoIP as your sole method of telephone communications.

A similar disadvantage can occur during a local power outage. If the power is out in your local area, then it is likely that your high-speed connection will be down due to the power outage. This is not usually the case with regular telephone service, as providers have large backup generators to insure that the telephone system stays up and running. However, ISPs are beginning to address this problem, and some do provide backup capabilities.

Even if your high-speed connection is functional during a power outage, you would not have power to your high-speed modem or router or any ATAs that you may be. This means that you would still not be able to access VoIP services unless you have some type of local backup for these devices. Most VoIP users solve this problem by maintaining basic telephone service just for emergency use. Also, cell phones can be used as a means of backup, but keep in mind that power outages can affect local cell towers as well.

One other disadvantage of VoIP is that it may not be quite as secure as your regular telephone service. It is highly unlikely that anyone would be able to intercept your phone calls as they are transmitted over the Internet, but it is theoretically possible. However, keep in mind the fact that the traditional telephone service providers are using the Internet to carry some long distance calls.

As you can see, there are a few disadvantages to VoIP. Some of these are being addressed by ISPs and VoIP providers, while others are likely to remain. None of these disadvantages is great enough, however, to keep you from taking advantage of the cost savings and extra features offered by VoIP service.

This article "Disadvantages of VoIP" is Copyright 2006 Compare-VoIP.net and may not be reproduced.

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