Solos Need VoIP

There is an interesting post today over at the Sololawyer

By Chuck Newton

While I agree with Chuck’s position, I have not been convinced yet that I need it. Security is also a concern I have. Is a VoIP call secure from hackers? Will my normal internet security protect such calls from eavesdropping? I will have to visit some more with Chuck and Rick on this one.


No solo lawyer should be without VoIP as its chief source of communication.' If you are trying to compete without this service you are likely operating without many valuable services and you are paying too much for your phone and faxing services.' So I would like to
introduce you to the service if you have not considered it, yet.

Internet Voice, also known as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), is a technology that allows you to make telephone calls using a broadband Internet connection instead of a regular (or analog) phone line. Some services using VoIP may only allow you to call other people using the same service, but others may allow you to call anyone who has a telephone number - including local, long distance, mobile, and international numbers. Also, while some services only work over your computer or a special VoIP phone, other services allow you to use a traditional phone through an adaptor.

VoIP converts the voice signal from your telephone into a digital signal that travels over the internet then converts it back at the other end so you can speak to anyone with a regular phone number. When placing a VoIP call using a phone with an adapter, you'll hear a dial tone and dial just as you always have. VoIP may also allow you to make a call directly from a computer using a conventional telephone or a microphone.

Depending on the service, one way to place a VoIP call is to pick up your phone and dial the number, using an adaptor that connects to your existing high-speed Internet connection. The call goes through your local telephone company to a VoIP provider. The phone call goes over the Internet to the called party's local telephone company for the completion of the call. Another way is to utilize a microphone headset plugged into your computer. The number is placed using the keyboard and is routed through your cable modem.

A broadband (high speed Internet) connection is required but most in-home or solo practitioners already have broadband. This can be through a cable modem, or high speed services such as DSL or a local area network. You can hook up an inexpensive microphone to your computer and send your voice through a cable modem or connect a phone directly to a telephone adaptor.

Some VoIP providers offer their services for free, normally only for calls to other subscribers to the service. Your VoIP provider may permit you to select an area code different from the area in which you live. This means you may not incur long distance charges if you call a number in your area code regardless of geography. It also means that people who call you may incur long distance charges depending on their area code and service. Some VoIP providers charge for a long distance call to a number outside your calling area, similar to existing, traditional wireline telephone service. Other VoIP providers permit you to call anywhere at a flat rate for a fixed number of minutes.

Where VoIP may represent modest savings to some large law firms due to the technical issues such as special VoIP telephone units and integration into the firms’ in-house network, the savings tend to be pretty substantial to Third Wave lawyers and solo practitioners who do not need this type of integration or specialized equipment.

Depending upon your service, you might be limited only to other subscribers to the service, or you may be able to call any phone number, anywhere in the world. The call can be made to a local number, a mobile phone, to a long distance number, or an international number. You may even utilize the service to speak with more than one person at a time. The person you are calling does not need any special equipment, just a phone.

Because VoIP is digital, it may offer features and services that are not available with a traditional phone. If you have a broadband internet connection, you need not maintain and pay the additional cost for a line just to make telephone calls.

With many VoIP plans you can talk for as long as you want with any person in the world (the requirement is that the other person has an Internet connection). You can also talk with many people at the same time without any additional cost.

One of the big advantages for the home office of solo practitioner is that you may be able to use your VoIP service wherever you travel as long as you have a high speed Internet connection available. In that case it would work the same as from your home or business.

There is a misconception among some that you cannot use your computer while you are making or receiving telephone calls. This is not true with broadband.

There are disadvantages as well. For example, some VoIP services don't work during power outages and the service provider may not offer backup power. Not all VoIP services connect directly to emergency services through 911. VoIP providers may or may not offer directory assistance/white page listings.' However, these disadvantages tend to be overstated or easily corrected. For example, most VoIP providers now provide access to local 911 service. You merely have to go online and identify the address identified with the VoIP call. Further, most white page listings are available using free internet databases.

All in all, VoIP is cheap, it is powerful, it is rich with extras, it is portable, and add it to your laptop and it can transform your practice.

Comments

[john]

VOIP would be a great addition to any lawyer. I'm not a lawyer but I have used VOIP and its great. I love the price that I am getting it for. The high speed internet service provider that I am with also has a variety of other broadband services so check them out: http://t1-Service.net

[Otto]

During poweroutages, there are modems that will still let you make calls for 4 hours and then only make outgoing calls for another 2 hours. This might be enough in some cases. And how many of us have a landline phone that doesnt' work without power anyway?

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Nationwide VPN provides secured VPN connectivity, enhanced security VPN and VPN encryption.

[Jay S. Fleischman]

Just a follow-up on the security issue, Grant - check out http://www.skype.com/security/security/.

[Jay S. Fleischman]

I agree that VOIP is a must-have for any third-wave lawyer, I'm not sure it should be a primary line due to the uneven voice quality depending on network traffic. Rather, I like the idea of having a VOIP line as well as a back-up line. VOIP can forward your calls to the "fail safe" line in the event that a call cannot be completed, which takes a lot of the hassles out of it. Finally, Skype does not offer phone number portability - this is a limitation that must be overcome in order to really crack the US market.