VoIP 101.com -- Info Guide to Selecting VoIP Service and Phones

Enhanced 911 (E911). When you dial 911 in an emergency, your call is routed to the nearest Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP). In this way, 911 dispatchers will know your exact location.

Choose your area code If you need a new phone number, you can choose any area code in the country, since VoIP internet phone service is not tied to a geographic location.

Local Number Portability (LNP). Allows you to keep your existing phone number when you switch to VoIP phone service.

Virtual numbers. Allows people to dial either a local number or a toll-free number from anywhere in the country to reach you at your main phone number. This typically costs $5/mo extra.

Online/Email voicemail. VoIP allows you to listen to your voicemail online or to receive messages in email as sound file attachments.

Do Not Disturb. Allows you to route calls to voicemail at designated times of the day.

Online Call Logs. Allows you to access a running log of all call activity online.