| In most places in the United States, you don't have to give up your existing phone number if you change to VoIP. To find out whether you can transfer it to VoIP service and what's involved, click here .
If you're new to VoIP, when you sign up, you are given a new VoIP phone number you use while your existing number is being transferred. You can use this temporary number to both make and receive calls, so you get all the benefits and cost savings of VoIP immediately. Then, when the transfer has occurred, you can either get rid of or keep this temporary number as a second, virtual number. If you do not cancel your Virtual Number, you are charged a small monthly fee starting 60 days after you signed up for service.
You may be charged a one-time or a monthly fee to transfer your current number to VoIP. Ask your service provider for details.
Tip: Many customers keep one regular telephone line or a mobile phone so that they can always dial 911 emergency services because 911 services may not be as reliable using a VoIP phone. For example, if your electric power goes out, your VoIP service won't work unless you have your whole network, including the VoIP Device, on a functioning UPS system (Uninterruptible Power Supply). You may also need to keep one regular phone line if your DSL service cannot be separated from it.
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