In the business world they call it data convergence, homeowners call it amazing. The buzz is all about the merging of voice, data and video into one service that streams down your broadband internet connection. Now you can watch TV on your PC, and answer your phone using your remote control.



Here's what data convergence means to consumers

In the “old days”, you needed a different service provider for your cable TV, telephone and Internet service. Then telephone companies began providing high-speed Internet access followed by the Cable TV providers who couldn't resist jumping into a hot market.

Today, most people can get all three technologies delivered by one vendor, but that's not always the best choice. It makes both economic and technological sense to get your television and Internet service from the same provider but, so far at least, cable TV companies are falling short when it comes to providing top-notch technology for their Voice Over IP (VoIP) or Internet telephone service offerings.

Essentially, the VoIP services offered by cable providers replaces POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service), at a lower cost, but most of the features that they offer mimic those of the teleco.

Dedicated VoIP providers, like industry darling Vonage, also provide low-cost VoIP telephony, but they heap on the features including some that are so compelling you can hardly resist switching.

How About Taking Your Full-Featured Phone With You?

If you're a road warrior, travel a lot on pleasure, or like to operate your home-based business from a different scenic spot every day, you're in luck. Services like those provided by Vonage let you make and receive telephone calls anywhere that you can plug your laptop into a high-speed Internet connection. Best of all, your client's family and friends don't have to worry about hunting you down. They simply dial your normal telephone number and it rings on your laptop! It doesn't get any better than that.

More Features, Lower Costs, Learn More

If you're ready to take advantage of state-of-the-art technology for pennies a day, you're ready to see the consumer side of data convergence. Click here to learn more.