CNET PRIZEFIGHT: Internet phones vs. plain old telephone service

Internet phones vs. plain old telephone service
The young challenger, Internet phones with VoIP technology, squares off against POTS, the copper-wired champ.

By Matt Elliott

Ma Bell bullied her way to the top of the telephone game, but that was long before a technology called VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) showed up looking for a fight. Sure, Ma Bell was broken up into the Baby Bells, but all of her offspring used the same technology, plain old telephone service (POTS). Now, there's another way to make a phone call, and it doesn't rely on the ancient network of copper wires or include the stiff fees and taxes from Uncle Sam. If you have a broadband Internet connection, a VoIP phone service can shave money off your monthly bill by routing calls cheaply over the Internet. You don't need to involve your computer in the process, and there are no extra numbers to dial; Internet phones work just like standard phones.

You can get VoIP today. But should you? To answer this question, we booked a seven-round telephone bout that pits the up-and-coming VoIP challenger against the reigning champ, POTS. Our two combatants go toe-to-toe in categories such as price, setup, features, and voice quality. The haymakers were flying from the opening bell. Be sure to experience every round before you see the judges' shocking decision.