Section 3.4. Optional () Features

3.4. Optional ($$) Features

Not every service from every broadband phone company comes wrapped inside the low monthly price. Some services, especially those which require a considerable amount of new technology to power or have no comparable service in the traditional telephone world, require a few more dollars per month.

You shouldn't find this surprising or out of place. After all, if SBC can take an $11.05 fee for local phone service and jack it up 50 more dollars for their services (admittedly some of those dollars are federal and local taxes), you can pull another few dollars out of your pocket for some amazing new services not available anywhere else.

3.4.1. Virtual Numbers

Although you can choose any area code you want with your broadband phone service, one number from a distant area code may not be enough. And when you use a broadband phone service as your only telephone, as hundreds of thousands do already, you may want to add remote area code support.

A virtual number is one from a different area code that rings at your local phone number on your broadband phone. Similar to a forwarded call, these numbers are used for incoming calls only (you can already call the remote area code for free as part of your no-charge long distance calls) and are great for family and far-away friends.

Most major broadband phone services have virtual numbers, and the fees range from $5 to $10 per month. On the remote end, someone dials your virtual number just like any other number in their local area (no long distance call needed). On your end, the phone rings and it's someone from a long way away. Chat and enjoy.

Set up your virtual numbers (you can have as many as you want) through your web account with your broadband phone provider. A few mouse clicks, and Aunt Harriet in Hoboken can call you in Cleveland for free in no time.

Businesses love these virtual numbers. Want a presence in multiple cities but want to answer only one telephone? This is your solution.

3.4.2. 800 Numbers

Look at this as a Super Size virtual number, and you'll get plenty of enjoyment without extra calories. And don't think this is only for businesses with big budgets, because this service is now used by all sorts of normal (maybe slightly special) people, including Aunt Harriet in Hoboken.

Why get an 800 number rather than a standard number? What if you and your spouse come from different hometowns, and both want people to be able to call for free? What if your family is scattered far and wide and one area code doesn't come close to handling them all? What if you have children in college, and they need to call home (for money, of course)? The 800 number, or virtual toll-free number, makes all this possible.

Here's a quick scan of pricing from three major broadband phone services:

Vonage

$4.99 per month, 100 minutes free, 4.9 cents per minute thereafter

Packet8

$4.95 per month, 100 minutes free, 3.9 cents per minute thereafter

BroadVoice

$1.95 per month, 60 minutes free, 2 cents per minute thereafter

The virtual toll-free number doesn't cost any more than any other virtual number (most services offer those at around $5 per month, but you're not charged extra for the minutes). A certain amount of minutes are free with each of the toll-free virtual numbers, and thereafter you pay a few pennies per minute. There are also installation fees for some services, so check that so you won't be surprised.

If you or someone in your family travels regularly, this toll-free virtual number will pay for itself in only one trip a month. Have you priced phone calls from hotels lately? Even Al Capone would be embarrassed to charge as much vigorish on fellow mobsters as the hotels brazenly charge you today.

Think a cell phone is a better answer than a virtual toll-free number when you want to call back home from the road? Pay a couple months of roaming charges and see if you don't like $5 per month better. I can almost guarantee that the cell phone will cost many times more than the monthly fee for an extra number on your broadband phone service account.

3.4.3. Video Phones

The World's Fair in New York in 1964 made news for many reasons, and one of the most famous was a demonstration of a video phone. We have now been waiting 40 years for the traditional telephone companies to deliver this, and we have nothing. You can buy a $10 camera for your computer that does a better job than any video phone you can get from a traditional telephone company today. Once again, the geniuses behind Internet Telephony win the innovation race.

Okay, I can't tell you the bugs are worked out and video phone service is fantastic today. But it's getting better, and your broadband phone service of choice either has an option now, or will sometime soon.

One company pushing their broadband video phone service is Packet8 (http://packet8.net). Figure 3-2 shows their web page.

I like "Speak in Color!" as a tag. It doesn't make any sense, literally, but I understand exactly.

Since video connections require more bandwidth and other considerations, I'm saving the in-depth discussion for Chapter 8. Besides, that's a nice connection to the Packet 8 image in Figure 3-2, isn't it?