10 Must-Have Items for a High-Style, High-Tech House

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) may be an unfamiliar term, but VoIP service providers like Vonage, Skype, and some cable TV service providers offer Internet-based phone service that’s a lot cheaper than that offered by phone companies. Vonage offers the easiest VoIP to set up because it doesn’t require a PC, and the service resembles that of a traditional landline. You can call any phone on the planet with Vonage. You can take Vonage with you when you travel; it works with any broadband service provider, so you can call home without paying international fees. The Uniden 5.8-GHz phone system is the ideal VoIP gateway phone: its corded base station connects to a DSL modem or cable and cordless handset, all the equipment you’ll need to make phone calls over the Internet.

Pro: You can make cheap phone calls from anywhere with broadband Internet service.
Con: You must have broadband Internet service, you can’t dial 911 directly, and VoIP phones won’t work without electricity.