What To Look For When Choosing A VoIP Fax Service Provider

As VoIP continues to grow and expand as a better and more cost-effective alternative to standard phone and fax lines, consumers will see more VoIP service providers offering attractive plans to compete for your business. When shopping for a VoIP fax service provider, there are certain things to look for to ensure the service meets your needs and budget. Whether looking for a VoIP fax service provider for home or business use, consider and compare these key services:

Features - The number of features offered by VoIP fax service providers vary, with some offering the basics for home use and others providing more extensive features that cater to businesses and individuals with home based offices. Many VoIP service providers offer faxing over VoIP. Among the basic features to look for are a free dedicated fax line, mobile and remote fax capabilities, and fax storage. Businesses should review features based on their needs. Among the choices are a toll-free fax number, multiple fax extensions to accommodate different departments in your company and fax solutions for multiple office locations.

Faxing Protocols - Faxing with VoIP requires either G711 or T.38 protocols to ensure a reliable connection when sending and receiving faxes. When comparing VoIP service providers, find out which protocol is used. Businesses also will need to know whether the protocol is compatible with their current infrastructure.

Baud Rate - Most VoIP fax service providers support a 9600 baud rate. This is the rate of speed at which a fax is transmitted. When switching to VoIP fax, your fax software or fax machine may need to be reset to the baud rate that the VoIP fax service provider accommodates.

Cost - The price of monthly service plans vary significantly between VoIP fax service providers. Some start as low as $9.99 a month, while others charge $16.95 a month and higher. When comparing price, pay close attention to the number of minutes you receive, if there are setup costs and whether you need to purchase any hardware or software. Higher priced monthly plans typically include unlimited minutes, while lower cost plans usually limit monthly minutes for incoming and outgoing faxes. Also look at the services included in the monthly price. In particular, check to see if IP faxing is included in the monthly minutes or provided at a separate cost. If you fax a great deal to international countries, you also should compare the international fax rate structure among VoIP fax providers.

Quality - No matter the price of the monthly service plan, you want to be sure you are choosing a VoIP fax service that provides quality fax transmission and has a reliable connection at all times.

Customer Service - Being able to reach a VoIP fax service provider during hours that are conducive with your time zone is essential when you need assistance with your account or technical help. Compare the customer service options offered by VoIP fax providers, including 24/7 telephone support, online chat, or email support with a fast response turnaround.