What is VoIP?
Access to broadband gives consumers more service options, including new technologies and service options. We have received a number of questions about VoIP versus landline services. While Lamoille FiberNet’s mission is broadband access, we are sharing this information to help you get started in your evaluation.
When you switch to fiber internet, you may end up also switching to new equipment and/or to a phone system that uses the fiber lines (VoIP) instead of the old copper lines. Here is some information that might be helpful.
VoIP
VoIP is the acronym for voice-over-internet-protocol. It’s a technology that allows you to use a standard phone, such as those used for landline phone connections, to make phone calls (and other voice-based services) using your internet connection. The VoIP type of system may be convenient if you are accustomed to having a traditional landline home or business phone. Having VoIP allows for a traditional phone to be plugged into the piece of equipment that connects your premises to the internet (modem). Therefore, you don’t need to buy new phone equipment to use VoIP.
Currently Fidium charges $20/month for VoIP phone service. If you add a battery backup, it will currently cost an additional 20/month.
Traditional phone and DSL internet services are not being discontinued in the Lamoille FiberNet area at this time — Fidium customers will be notified well in advance when this affects the Lamoille FiberNet area.
One important difference between using the traditional copper phone lines and using VoIP is that with VoIP, you won’t have phone service if the power goes out, unless you have also purchased a battery backup (called an Uninterrupted Power Supply or “UPS”) for the phone; these batteries will typically extend your phone service for 4-24 hours during a power outage. Connecting your equipment (modem and router, or extenders if you have them) to a standard power supply or surge protector connected to your generator will mean you will have phone service during power outages.
Lastly, if you are on Lifeline or a similar medical alert system, you should know that those systems also can work with a VoIP system.
For more information on Fidium VoIP services, go to: https://www.fidiumfiber.com/phone-service.
LAMOILLE FIBERNET MISSION:
To prioritize access of unserved and underserved addresses to symmetrical, high-speed, and affordable internet service – as soon as possible.
