The price of cheap Net-based phone calls

A growing number of consumers and companies are disregarding traditional phone services to adopt VoIP. But even if Net-based phoning allows them to save money, with virtually no loss in voice quality, it also comes with a series of problems to be overcome:

- TiVo, the digital video recording service, requires a standard home phone line to complete the initial setup.
- a VoIP phone number won't likely be included in most phone directories. Which could mean trouble when businesses such as banks and major fast food companies have to check local phone listings to verify addresses.
- protecting your home could be tricky too as some home alarm systems have trouble with broadband connections, or their manufacturers don't yet trust the reliability of the Internet.
- there's still no way to guarantee VoIP phones will work in case of a power outage,
- not all VoIP providers offer 911 service.

Major VoIP providers claim that many of the problems, such as loss of power or offering 911, are soon to be solved. Also, Time Warner Cable is launching a cable-friendly home alarm system that works over a broadband connection.

From C Net.