You might think that the cell phone is the only alternative to a landline phone in this day and age, but that is not exactly true. Devices made for Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP, are a lot like cordless landline phones, but they utilize the Internet instead of traditional phone lines. So, you can use one even if you don’t want to pay a landline telephone bill.

Voice over IP services are often cheaper than conventional phone services due to lower call charges, fewer monthly contracts and lower fees and taxes. Plus, a VoIP phone system can also offer a wider range of features. For instance, you can enjoy a virtual receptionist, auto call-forwarding and easy conference calling. And you can access your VoIP phone when you travel.

Best of all, many VoIP systems will let you keep your current phone number. They are a great choice for homes and small businesses alike, and having a VoIP is a must-have when you upgrade your home office.

You can access an internet phone line in many ways, which is why it works well for people who travel. Using a headset with a computer or tablet, you can answer a VoIP caller while on the road. You can even use a mobile hotspot to get internet in remote places. This method is called using a “softphone.” And you can have physical VoIP phones for home or office—known as “hard” phones.

You will connect your “hard” VoIP to your internet using Ethernet cables. You can also set up a VoIP phone system with a complementary combination of both soft and hard phones. This setup is especially useful in larger, multi-phone enterprises.

Once you have set up your internet phone number, your VoIP phone system will connect to it via your modem, router or modem router combo. You can also build your system using a network switch with multiple ports for more devices.