Are Calling Cards A Thing of The Past?
Any businessperson is sure to remember the days when calling cards seemed to rule the world. Any long distance call on the road necessitated one, and some offices used them to control long distance phone costs. Frequent users often memorized the long combination of phone numbers, card numbers and pins. They were a good solution to difficult problem. All of that changed with the advent of cell phones and VOIP.
First came the cell phone. They solved one problem by being easy to use. No card numbers were necessary and as long as there was service in a given area, businesspeople could make calls to anywhere in the world. Still, cell phones were an imperfect solution. Spotty coverage and sometimes-expensive rates made them somewhat cumbersome. For the time being, they worked.
Enter the age of Voice Over Internet Protocol. VOIP is a simple system that allows anyone with an Internet connection, some specialized software and a headset (or built in microphone) to place calls anywhere in the world. This technology changed the way people communicate all over the world.
Today, VOIP has evolved, allowing users to choose what kind of services they want and how much they are willing to pay for it. The simplest forms are free. Many instant messenger programs like Yahoo! and AIM have a VOIP feature. The most popular of these may be Skype. In its most simple form, Skype allows anyone with a computer to ‘call’ another computer. When coupled with a webcam, users can even see each other while they chat. Free VOIP is quickly becoming a favorite way for friends and family to keep in touch.
For business purposes, VOIP is still growing and fighting for its place with cell phones, calling cards and traditional long distance plans. In the business setting, most people choose to pay for their VOIP services. The plans are very inexpensive, especially when compared to expensive long distance plans. Like any new technology, businesses are taking their time integrating VOIP into their business plans.
For now, VOIP may have completely killed the calling card for personal use. Free, easy to use and even fun, many people are switching to VOIP for all of their personal long distance calls. This is not necessarily true in the case of business use. Businesspeople still rely on a combination of calling cards, cell phones and VOIP to make their calls.
As the technology utilized by VOIP continues to grow, it is likely that it will soon become the preferred method of placing business calls for several reasons.
1. For fees as low as $60/year, users can place calls all over the world
2. Calls can be placed from anywhere a user can connect to the internet
3. The ability to integrate webcams and other presentation material makes business calls simple.
The next few years will likely allow most people to lighten their load by cutting up their calling card and relying strictly on VOIP.
