VoIPReview.org, an online resource for information on VoIP providers, has released a guide that helps new customers select the right VoIP for their residential or business use.

The VoIP guide release comes in response to the rising demand for VoIP services globally.

A recent report from Infonetics Research (News - Alert) reveals that global revenue from residential and business VoIP services increased by 9 percent last year, reaching $63 billion. The market is predicted to increase to $82.7 billion by 2017. 

Before switching to a VoIP service, customers should evaluate their own home or business phone habits so they can pick the right business or residential VoIP solution for their needs. Different plans are available that differ by cost, features and monthly minute allotments, so customers can choose the most suitable package among them.

VoIP is available for both home and business use. Home VoIP plans cost around $5 to $10 per month and may include one or two lines. On the other hand business hosted VoIP plans are usually priced by the extension, usually around $20 per extension each month. Some of the VoIP plans also include unlimited extensions for a slightly higher price. Metered extensions are available at a lower cost but they include extra per minute rate added on for calls.

Customers may also get the option to pay by the minute, pay for a month in advance or pay for a year or two in advance.

Customers implementing VoIP should have the appropriate hardware in their home or office. It may require upgrading to new IP phones or buying analog telephone adapters (ATAs) for old phones. Customers using IP phones have reported better sound quality than ATAs. 

Business VoIP users may also require other IP equipment for services like conferencing and collaboration. For this purpose, IP cameras, projectors, dedicated IP conference phones and IP paging systems are available.