| If you're a snowbird, internet phone service could be | | | | VoIP adapter with you. Calls will go to voicemail while |
| the perfect thing for you. Because VoIP (voice over | | | | you are traveling, and you can call and check |
| internet protocol, aka..Internet Phone Service) relies | | | | messages from any telephone. You can also set up |
| on a broadband internet connection and requires only | | | | call forwarding on both numbers while you are |
| a small device known as a VoIP adapter - internet | | | | between homes, and forward all calls to your cell |
| phone service is extremely portable. | | | | phone. This is very easy to do with online account |
| Many people live in cooler climates in the summer, | | | | management - a service that is free with all the best |
| and migrate to their warm southern winter homes | | | | VoIP providers. |
| when the weather turns cold. Having local telephone | | | | As soon as you have your broadband internet |
| service in both winter and summer homes can be | | | | connection turned on in your second home, connect |
| costly, as well as confusing for those who try to | | | | the VoIP adapter and your telephone and start |
| keep in touch with you. A cell phone is a great | | | | making and receiving calls. Internet phone service |
| remedy for this, except for "out of state-ers" who | | | | gives you the unique ability to have multiple phone |
| have to make a long distance call to talk with you. | | | | numbers (any area codes you need) as well as the |
| If you're using broadband internet service anyway | | | | ability to take your local phone service with you |
| (which is easily turned "off" when you've moved | | | | wherever you go. The only requirement is a |
| away for the season), it makes good sense to | | | | broadband high-speed internet connection, which |
| subscribe to internet phone service and always have | | | | most people have anyway. When it's time to move |
| a local phone number no matter which home you are | | | | back to your first home, simply take the VoIP |
| living in. To do this, all you need to do is choose a | | | | adapter and repeat the installation steps - it's as |
| VoIP provider and subscribe to internet phone | | | | simple as that! |
| service. Get a local phone number (you can usually | | | | One thing to remember with internet phone service is |
| keep your existing number if you want) and enjoy | | | | to keep your current address on file with the VoIP |
| unlimited local and long distance calling for between | | | | provider. This is necessary for 911 services. Because |
| $17 - $25 per month - depending on which provider | | | | internet phone service is portable and uses the |
| you choose. | | | | internet to transmit calls, the only way emergency |
| When you're ready to move to your seasonal home, | | | | services people can find you is through E-911 |
| add a second number to your plan. Because location | | | | (enhanced 911). With E911, when you make a 911 |
| doesn't matter with internet phone service, you can | | | | emergency call, the address that you have on file |
| ask for a number that is local to your second home. | | | | with the VoIP provider is transmitted to the |
| You will now have two separate phone numbers - | | | | dispatcher. This address is also used to ensure that |
| one that is local to your summer home, and the | | | | your 911 calls are routed to the closest dispatcher to |
| other one local to your winter home. Both will ring on | | | | your home. For snowbirds who live in more than one |
| the same telephone, so you can answer both lines | | | | place depending on the season, it's important to log |
| with the same equipment. Each will have separate | | | | on to the VoIP online account management and |
| voice mail boxes, which can be very handy. | | | | update your current address each time you move. |
| When you move to your seasonal home, take the | | | | |