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India VoIP Providers for Home and Residential CallingMost India VoIP providers are focused squarely on the business market because this is a bigger, more mature market. Also quite importantly, it is easier in the business market to provide internet-only voice services that don't violate India regulations by crossing over from the internet onto the regular phone network (PSTN) - or vice versa. The India market for home or consumer VoIP services is much less well developed, especially in comparison to some other countries such as the US, UK, or Germany. But consumer VoIP providers are starting to emerge in India for certain types of VoIP services. Since our focus is mostly on consumers and how they can use VoIP for making cheap international calls, we're more interested in this aspect of the market. As a starting point, we've compiled a list of companies specifically targeting the India consumer VoIP market. Unfortunately, it's a short list (let us know if you have any additions). But there are other options, too, because many international VoIP providers can also provide services for you in India - though some types of offerings are prohibited by local regulations. Read more below. Recommended VoIP providersIndia VoIP Providers for Consumer & Residential ServiceThe following VoIP providers offer VoIP internet telephony services specifically in or for the India market. The companies are primarily focused on serving the India ILD market by offering cheap outbound international VoIP calls to countries worldwide. Due to restrictions on internet telephony in India, the VoIP providers listed below are not designed for domestic long distance calling services (NLD calls). In fact, no domestic long distance VoIP providers exist offering the kinds of 'VoIP dial in' and 'VoIP dial out' services seen in other markets. Before buying services from any of these companies, please check company websites for service availability and plan details. Note that worldwide, VoIP companies go out of business at an alarming rate. While the India market is young, we would expect it to be similar - many companies will fail and only a few will get strong. The point being: buy from a well established firm that will be around for a long time.
In addition to these specialty VoIP providers, some of India's telephone companies provide VoIP service through their internet divisions. For instance, MTNL's TriBand broadband service includes VoIP as an add-on option. Another option is Reliance iCall which provides VoIP services worldwide. A third option is Tata Indicom Indiworld, a VoIP add-on for their ADSL service. International VoIP Providers Serving India Consumer MarketIn addition to the India-focused companies above, there are a many international VoIP providers that India consumers can use as well. If you are planning to use one of these services, it is best that you have a high-speed broadband internet connection - and you shop around a bit until you are sure you have a provider that meets your needs. Among other things, you want to watch rates very closely - they vary dramatically between providers. Almost all will be markedly lower than a regular international long distance carrier, but still there are big differences. For instance, Vonage, a major US VoIP player, does not include India in any of it's unlimited calling plans and charges $0.15 - $0.18 USD per minute to call India from the US. In comparison, Lingo, a similar VoIP phone service, charges just $0.029 per minute - nearly 80% less. There are too, too many international VoIP providers serving India to list here, so we highlight just a few well established VoIP companies that might be worthy of your consideration. All can deliver solid service for outbound or inbound India international calls.
Note that due to India VoIP regulations, not all services provided by these companies may be available to you. For instance, any service that involves providing local access numbers or local virtual numbers in India is prohibited by existing rules. Also, please be aware that all quoted prices are subject to change and may or may not reflect prices for any given plan or connection option. Please check directly with the provider's website for the latest information. Recommended VoIP providers |
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