tems, senior “life alert” services, fers or subsidies from the carrier. Some Want to learn more? TDD/TTY machines (telecommunica- potential costs, such as a new phone or tions devices for those who are deaf, installation, will be one-time expenses. The FCC is the federal agency that regu- blind or have hearing loss) and fax Others may be reflected in your monthly lates telecommunications systems and IP Transition: machines bill. For example, your plan may have a services in the U.S. Learn more about the IP transition and trials at: Making the Switch n Telephone device requirements different base rate than before or may include domestic long distance calls at no n www.fcc.gov/guides/ip-transition n The ability to switch back to your tradi- additional charge. tional landline service if you want to If you are located in Carbon Hill, AL or (currently that is allowed, but at some Participation in trials. You will be in- West Delray Beach, FL and have been point providers may cease offering formed by your current telephone service told by AT&T that you are part of its tri- the option) provider if it is conducting a trial in your als, you can learn more at: location. Not all carriers will conduct tri- If you want to keep your old touch-tone The next als. If your carrier does, you will receive n http://ip4CarbonHill.att.com or phones or fax machines, you most likely specific information about what the trial n can, but you should check with your http://ip4WestDelrayBeach.att.com entails and what your phone service op- communication service provider. Newer devices may en- tions are. During the initial phase, the Consumer Action, a nationwide non- able you to take advantage of advanced trials will be voluntary, but you should profit consumer education and advo- evolution features that IP-based telephone service work with your provider to understand cacy organization, is helping consumers offers, such as high-definition (HD) voice, how the trials will evolve over time. understand the IP transition and make which makes calls clearer—a welcome wise service choices. Find more infor- Understanding improvement, especially for those who Phone service providers will be running mation at NewPhoneNetwork.org. have hearing loss. IP transition trials on an ongoing basis as the transition to they file proposals with the Federal Com- There are a few other things you should munications Commission. The FCC’s job is Internet-based know about transitioning to VoIP ser- to make sure you are getting reliable ser- vices. communication vice throughout the transition, and they Consumer Action Making emergency (911) calls. When you will be notified about the progress of the technologies begin receiving VoIP services, you may trials. www.consumer-action.org need to register your home address, or your service provider may do it for you. This will ensure that emergency services know your exact location when you call from home. Check with your provider to make sure you have the right information Created by Consumer Action. about this process. The cost. The actual cost of transitioning Sponsored by A Consumer Action Publication will depend on factors such as the carrier and service plan you select, the equip- www.consumer-action.org ment you need and any promotional of- © Consumer Action 2014 Since the creation of the telephone, the and email messages and video over the vides many advantages over what can Consumers in those areas will receive the telecommunications industry has con- same network—similar to the type of ser- be delivered over old copper networks: information and assistance they need to stantly improved and advanced the way vice many people already get on their make an informed decision regarding n we connect with each other—moving smartphones and other wireless devices. Speed and quality (faster transmission their telephone service options. Partici- and clearer calls) from the telegraph to the party line, to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), pating phone companies are expected to cheaper long distance calling, to modern whether used for home phones, busi- n Reliability (newer infrastructure) start launching their IP transition trials in wireless technologies. ness phones or mobile devices, uses the 2015. The companies, together with the n Internet Protocol to send your voice over Expanded voice and Internet capabili- FCC, will monitor these trials closely to In recent years, many people have copper, cable, fiber or wireless data net- ties (video calls, call filtering, voice- resolve any issues that may arise and to mail forwarding, “Do not disturb” and moved away from traditional “plain old works as opposed to the traditional “pub- learn as much about the transition pro- more) telephone service” (POTS) delivered over lic switched telephone network” (PSTN). cess as possible. They will also share find- a traditional phone network to new wire- VoIP can be accessed using many differ- n Expanded access to broadband Inter- ings with other state and federal authori- less or Internet-based (Internet Protocol, ent types of devices, including your tradi- net services, as advanced networks ties so that lessons can be used to help or IP) systems that use the same kind tional “wired” telephone. are built out to serve more customers all consumers and ensure the smoothest of connections we use for our Internet and fastest migration to IP-based technol- n Increased options for telephone ser- service and allow us to make calls, send While IP or VoIP technology may not ogies possible for the rest of the country messages, watch videos and surf the sound familiar to you, you might recog- vice, as more competitors can offer you service (much like the switch to digital TV, which Web. nize services such as U-verse Voice, FiOS also entailed such trials). Digital Voice, Vonage or Skype, which n Potentially lower prices (many VoIP In fact, since 2000, over two-thirds of are examples of VoIP service. In addi- services include free unlimited domes- If you are still getting your home phone Americans have already adopted these tion, you might be familiar with the “tri- tic long distance calling and lower service through the traditional telephone newer connections, embracing the im- ple play” (bundled) service packages of- rates for international calls) network, now is the time to prepare your- provements in service quality as well as fered by local cable operators. The voice self for the evolution by understanding expanded capabilities and availability. components of those bundles are VoIP Making the transition your options. Gather information by con- services that use the same connection as tacting providers such as your cable com- Why should you be aware of this evolu- The transition away from POTS to newer tion? It is expected that in the future all your cable and high-speed Internet to al- pany, your Internet service provider (ISP) low you to make and receive calls. Some networks is well underway across the or your current telephone carrier, which Americans will transition to using the new country—more than two-thirds of U.S. phone networks, and AT&T expects that users of VoIP services choose to make could be AT&T (its IP service is called and receive calls via computer (some- consumers have already chosen to switch U-verse Voice), Verizon (FiOS Digital their customers will transition by 2020. to IP-based service that can deliver Whether you’ve already made the switch times to make use of a webcam and see Voice) or another phone company. While the person they’re talking to), but with higher-quality calls, more ways to com- shopping around, in addition to inquir- to IP or will in the future, it’s important municate and fast Internet access. Many that you know what your options are so most services you can also continue to ing about service plans and pricing, ask use the same phone you use today. schools, health care organizations and about such things as: that you can make the best choices for other public agencies have made the you and your family. n Advantages transition, too. 911 accessibility and battery backup options when the power is out What is IP-based phone service? Just as digital cable television service Recently, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) called on telecommu- n Number portability (transferring your “Internet Protocol,” or IP, is the network vastly expanded consumers’ program op- current phone number to the new ser- tions and greatly improved their viewing nications companies to submit proposals communications language that facilitates to conduct trials in which IP services will vice) the delivery of phone calls (voice), text experience, IP-based voice service pro- be rolled out in selected communities. n Compatibility with home alarm sys-