Technology has changed the way we live our lives, from the clothes we wear, to the cars we drive – and now it's about to change the way we communicate (again!) The introduction of VoIP technology means that making cheap phone calls to the other side of the world is now more than just a reality - it's also cheap and convenient.

While many people have heard about the advantages of using VoIP to make cheap calls, some are still unsure as to the best way to start reaping the benefits themselves. The answer is incredibly simple: choose a VoIP provider and let them do the rest. Once you've subscribed, you'll receive a telephone adapter that connects a digital landline telephone to your computer and away you go. Most providers offer a monthly tariff, which is capped, so you'll always know what your bill is going to be – no more opening the dreaded envelope at the last minute because one of the kids has been chatting to their best friend in Australia!

In addition to giving you the opportunity to make cheap phone calls abroad, there are a number of other factors that make VoIP such an attractive option. The most obvious attraction is its ability to save you money. Because VoIP uses broadband to make and receive cheap phone calls, there are fewer overheads for the providers to charge you for. Instead, providers can offer a monthly package that covers the countries you want to call, not the amount of times you want to call them. If you have broadband already, then the process has already begun - you already have part of the technology to make cheap calls.

When it comes to installing new technology, many people worry about the amount of equipment they'll need and how expensive it is to install. If you've ever had a new landline installed, you'll know what a costly and demoralising process it can be. With VoIP, all you need is a telephone and an adapter with broadband. What you'll be sent is an adapter to connect the two; no wires, no digging out bits of plaster to install a new connection – just plug the two together.

Another nifty feature is that of portability. The phone number of a traditional telephone is allocated to your home or business. VoIP phones are designated to a person, meaning that, as long as you have your adapter and access to a broadband connection and a telephone, you can still make cheap calls on your account, no matter where you are. And because the number is portable, people can still make calls to you regardless of where you are.

With continual changes and improvements in technology, more and more consumers are getting wise to the idea that they can shop around and choose the service that best suits their lifestyle and budget. VoIP technology is the spearhead of a revolution in communications that could see the landline telephone - and the expensive bills that come with it – become a thing of the past.