voice over ip, phone servicePhone service is critical to just about everyone, and if you want to avoid the high cost of cell or wireless services at home without having a land line, consider looking into voice over IP, which is phone service that comes through your Internet service. The IP stands for Internet Protocol, and it's a fancy term for having a phone through your computer. Voice over IP is a great way to get inexpensive phone service for a teenager or even as a primary phone provider in your home. Almost all voice over IP plans include free long distance (nationally), caller ID, call waiting, voice mail, call forwarding, 911 and a host of other services most people do not use all that often, but are nice to have.

If you do have voice over IP as your sole phone service, make sure you have nearby neighbors. When it goes down, and it does infrequently, you will have to figure out a way to call for customer service. You can send them an email or chat online with their technical support people, but sometimes the solutions are so much easier over the phone. And while your service is down, you won't be able to call for emergency help through 911, so it's important to have a backup plan. Otherwise, you can't beat voice over IP for inexpensive, dependable phone service.