• High speed Internet is required for VoIP.customer service image by gajatz from Fotolia.com
  
  Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a technology that has greatly increased in popularity over the last few years as high-speed Internet has become cheaper and more common in homes. VoIP companies offer many features that standard telephone companies simply cannot offer. Although the industry has continued to grow, it has yet to expand to the popularity that many thought it would. This limited growth is because there are still a few drawbacks to using VoIP.
  
  

Power

• Unlike standard telephone service, VoIP does not have its own dedicated system. During a power outage the telephone will still operate because it is run through the telephone lines. However, VoIP service would be lost because it requires electricity to provide power to devices such as the modem. It is possible to have battery backups or generators, but that is an extra expense that the user must pay.
  
  

Emergencies

• When calling 911 on a traditional telephone your phone number is traced and help will be sent your way. With VoIP service, the call center will not be able to trace your location. This is because VoIP is an exchange of data between two computers, and there is no way to determine the physical location associated with that computer. Many companies are starting to implement the E911 standard which requires VoIP providers to pass user names and addresses along to the call center when 911 is dialed.
  
  

Quality

• VoIP relies on your Internet connection, meaning that the quality of calls can vary depending on the speed and reliability of your Internet service. A poor connection or a lot of traffic can create problems when trying to use VoIP. This can lead to distorted or choppy voices which disrupt the flow of the conversation and make it frustrating for the users. Occasionally calls will suddenly drop for no apparent reason, something that does not typically happen with standard telephone service.