Local companies are no longer the only means of service for your home phone. In the early 2000s, dozens of Internet companies began offering Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP, phone service. Signing up for VoIP phone service is easy and fairly inexpensive in comparison to phone service contracts. Obtaining a new phone number for your VoIP home phone service is given by VoIP carriers, or you can keep your old phone number by "porting" the number to the new carrier.
Step 1
Open a Web browser. Go to the website of a VoIP service provider such as Vonage, Next Communication, MConnect, Clearwire, etc.
Step 2
Sign up for VoIP service.
Step 3
Follow the instructions for downloading the VoIP software. Enter your address and credit card information in the appropriate fields.
Step 4
Click on the "Request a Number" tab, typically located on the page just before payment is requested. You will be automatically assigned a phone number upon pressing the payment tab.
Step 5
Click the "Make Payment" button to complete your set up. Write down or print out the order completion page with your phone number for your records.
Tips & Warnings
- To keep your old phone number, contact your current carrier and ask to "port" your phone number, which means you transfer the number to another service. Usually a nominal fee is required for releasing your phone number. Also, your account must be current, and the transition can take up to 14 days.
- Most rates for VoIP providers average $20 per month.
- Enter your address as it appears in the phone book for the appropriate 911 response.
Find Phone Service Provider deals in your area:
privacy & security protectedReferences
- Big Web Phone: Choose Your VoIP Number - Keep Your Current Number
- Federal Communications Commission: Voice over Internet Protocol Frequently Asked Questions
Photo Credits
- Comstock Images/Comstock/Getty Images
