Switching to VoIP from Landline Service

I had a customer ask a VoIP question, so I thought I’d post it and the answer here:

Hello, I’m looking to get rid of my land line if I don’t need it or switch to another company besides Verizon.  My dilemma is this. We have a PC that uses a modem to access Verizon Internet Service and if we get rid of the landline, we don’t know if the PC can be updated to use another Internet Service without a modem.  Can it or does the PC have to be updated with something that enables it to access via wireless in order to use a VoIP service?  If we can’t get rid of the land line, I’ll look for a land line service provider with internet service.

All high speed internet service comes with a modem, so if you switch to a different carrier, you can just get a different modem, or use the one you have if you own it. VoIP works with high speed internet service, and it very easy to set up. Most of the time you just plug a router into your modem, and then hook your PC to the router. The you plug in your phone and you’re done. Phonepower has a diagram on the bottom of their hardware page that shows how it works: Visit PhonePower, then click the hardware link in the menu.

What I would suggest, would be to ask Verizon how much it would be for just the high speed internet service. Then, use the tool at the top of the home phone service provider’s page to see who else offers high speed internet service in your area, and how much they are charging. After that, I’d sign up with an internet phone service provider for phone service, my 2 favorites are Magicjack and Phonepower. Magicjack is $20 per year for unlimited local and long distance calling in the US and Canada, and Phone power is $15 per month for the same thing.