Avoid cell phone bill shock after being overseas

Posted by admin | Filed under Cell Phone Tips, Uncategorized

Many of our clients ask us about the most cost effective way to make and receive calls while overseas. Unfortunately, some companies do not have an international wireless policy in place, as they do not realize how exorbitant their roaming costs will be until they receive a bill that is 4 times higher then normal. Trust me people the additional cost for voice & data roaming is not just a few extra dollars. One of my CT clients had one employee over in Canada last month for one week. He used his data card without having a plan. The charge for this was $5300. Fortunately I was able to negotiate on their behalf and their rate was reduced to what it would have been using one of AT&T’s Global plans, but typically cell phone providers will say “tough luck” the charges are legitimate and you have to pay them. Companies with more then ten wireless users should institute a company wide wireless policy. Your policy should include an international strategy. Here are some tips on how to minimize the “bill shock” while using AT&T

International Cell Phone Use Tips using AT&T

1. Check to ensure that your AT&T phone will work in the country where you are going. http://wireless.att.com/learn/international/roaming

2. Next, add the AT&T world package that meets your travel needs. Add-on plans do not require a contract and can be added and deleted at any time. Do not forget to add a Global plan for your data card. http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/international/roaming/affordable-world-packages.jsp

IphonePhone Tips for International Roamers

• Turn Data Roaming “OFF”: By default, the setting for international data roaming will be in the “OFF” position. To turn data roaming “ON/OFF” tap on Settings>General>Network>Data Roaming.

• Turning “OFF” data roaming blocks email, browsing, and visual voicemail and downloads, but it will not block text or picture/video messages.

• When abroad, international roaming rates apply when you send text or picture/video messages.

• To access voicemail when data roaming is “OFF”, tap on Phone>Voicemail. International roaming voice rates apply.

• Utilize Wi-Fi Instead of 3G/GPRS/EDGE: Wi-Fi is available in many international airports, hotels and restaurants to browse the web or check email. There is a free global Iphone Wi-Fi app available to make located Wi-Fi easy.

• Turn Fetch New Data “OFF”: Check email and sync contacts and calendars manually instead of having the data pushed to your iPhone automatically. This way you can control the flow of data coming to your iPhone. To turn off the Auto-Check functionality, tap on Settings>Mail, Contacts, Calendars>Fetch New Data, Change Push to “OFF” and select option Fetch Manually.

• Put the phone in airport mode -This is just an additional safeguard

• Skype has a free application that enables you to call from almost any country in the world for a very low cost. When I went to Europe I only used $2.50 and I called home twice a day

Tags: AT&T, cell phone expense, international roamig, Iphone, tips on using mobile overseasr, Wireless roaming

Telecommunications Expense Managment

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Best Practices in managing your companies communication costs

Even in today’s cloudy economic climate, there is an UN-tapped opportunity available to your company- its called Telecommunication Expense Management or TEM. Most small to mid size companies do not have the resources to hire a full time telecommunications specialist. The problem with this is it is costing your company money.

Outsourcing your telecom will improve company efficiencies, free up staff’s time and save you money. Outsourced Telecom Consultants work directly with the phone company to identify billing errors. They also create an inventory of your present services, i.e. phone lines, data circuits, and mobile devices. In addition to the above a TEM Consultant’s main function is to find ways to reduce your total spend while improving the overall service.

Clients hire a Telecom Consultants on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis. To hear more information about outsourcing your telecom and how call today @1-866-599-5522 or for more information send an email to msmith@naturalnetworksinc.com

And don’t forget…Outsourcing your telecommunications is a sure-fire way to keep control over your communications and reduce your spend by 40%. This money goes right to your bottom line!!!

Tags: lower my phone bills, outsourced telecom, telecom broker, telecom savings tip, TEM

Conference More. Travel Less.

Posted by admin | Filed under Communications Tips

How Can Conferencing Keep You Connected?

It does not matter how small or large your corporation is communication is paramount to your success. Conference Calling will allow you to immediately connect to your clients, employees, vendors, and suppliers. Let’s face it, we are all looking to cut cost and increase revenues. As a result, corporate travel is way down. Just because you are not traveling to your remote sites and physically visiting your clients doesn’t mean that you have to lose that personal touch. Conference Calling is a perfect way to keep connected with out over spending.

Solutions by Use:

• Daily Conference Calls (reservation less)
• Web Conferencing
• Video Conferencing
• Sales Calls
• Outlook Plug-in to schedule Calls

What questions should you ask when choosing a conferencing firm?

How do I reach your company?

Ask them to provide their customer service phone number and email and try them both. Can you reach someone right away? What if you are on a live call and you need help immediately? Your time is important; do not spend it waiting on hold.

Do I need to sign a contract?

Is there a cost to sign up or a penalty to cancel? You don’t want to lock-in to a contract and discover a few months later that the quality isn’t very good or that the service doesn’t match your needs.

Do you have live controls?

These host controls allow you to manage your conference call. Ask if you can visually track participants using online controls on a web portal. This is important because it will provide you with the necessary control you need to resolve issues fast. One example, is when someone’s phone is making inappropriate noise, you will be able to see whose line it is coming from and automatically mute him or her so they do not distract others.

What service guarantees do you provide?

Ask if the company has a formal guarantee policy that is posted on their website. Ask about the technical support, the hours of operation, and how the company will solve your problems. Take note as to how fast they answer their phones. Did you have to wait on hold? That’s a good indicator of what kind of service you can expect.

Do you use voip?

Also known as “Voice over Internet Protocol” this is a technology that uses the internet to transmit your conference call data. VoIP has many uses and can be a great solution especially when sold at the enterprise level, however if you are using voip w/out any priority or cos then it can be the root of many conference call problems. This includes poor call quality. Free conferencing is attractive, and I have to admit that I have used it before but you can definitely tell the difference. In addition, some of the telephone bridges that they use are often blocked by large carriers such as ATT, QWEST, and SPRINT. This means that if your client uses AT&T, then they will not be able to join your “free” conference bridge.

Can we do a trial?

If their product is good, then they will not mind letting you try it.

I already have a conference provider.

Make sure you do a six-month review of your service. If you have been using a provider for a long time, chances are you are paying high rates. Conferencing is a very easy service to audit; just a little assessment can pay huge dividends.

We collaborate with a few top-notch conference firms, for more information or a free conference audit call us at 1-866-599-5522 or send an email to msmith@naturalnetowrksinc.com

Tags: Accuconference, AT&T teleconference, compare conference services, Free conferencing, How To conference, low cost conference, Qwest Conference, teleconference, video conference

Help, My Cell Phone Fell In A Fountain!

Posted by admin | Filed under Communications Tips

OK, I know the title sounds a little crazy, but I actually know someone that had this happen to them. Although it may not be a fountain, unfortunately in your lifetime you are likely to have an accident with water and your cell phone. Cell phones and water do not mix well. Water damage will also void your cell phones manufactures warranty. Even if you forget to tell your cell phone carrier about the water, they will know because of their built in water dot. That is right they have strategically placed a little dot behind the battery that changes color when it gets wet, I guess this must have happened before. Water does not have to be the demise of your cell phone, but you do need to act quickly once your phone has an encounter with water.

Here are some tips via Wiki.

1. Get it out of the water as soon as possible. The plastic covers on cell phones are tight, but water can enter the phone in a short period, perhaps only 20 seconds or less. So grab your phone quickly! If you cannot get to it in time, your best bet is to remove the battery while it is still under water. Water helps dissipate heat from shorts that can damage the phone, so most damage occurs when the inside of the phone is merely wet and there is a power source.
2. Remove the battery. This is one of the most important steps. Do not take to think about it; electricity and water do not mix. Cutting power to your phone is a crucial first step in saving it. Many circuits inside the phone will survive immersion in water provided they are not attached to a power source when wet.
3. If you have a GSM remove your SIM card. Some or all of your valuable contacts (along with other data) could be stored on your SIM. To some people this could be more worth saving than the phone itself. SIM cards survive water damage well, but some of the following steps are unnecessary i.e. do not heat it. Just pat it dry and leave it aside until you need to connect your phone to your cellular network. (This step does not apply to CDMA carriers such as Verizon, Alltel, US Cellular, Sprint, etc.)
4. Dry your phone. Obviously, you need to remove as much of the water as soon as possible, so you can save it from getting into the phone. Shake it out without dropping it, then use a towel or paper towel (ideally trying not to clog the wet paper in the gaps and grooves of the phone) to gently remove as much of the remaining water as possible. Dry the excess moisture by hand.
5. Remove any covers and external connectors to open up as many gaps, slots, and crevices in the phone as possible.
6. Use a vacuum cleaner if possible. Do not use a hair dryer (even on a “cold” mode) to dry out the phone, as this may force moisture further into the small components, deep inside the phone. If moisture is driven deeper inside, corrosion and oxidation may result when minerals from liquids are deposited on the circuitry. Using a blow drier might be a temporary fix, but this will eventually cause component failure inside the phone. Instead, remove all residual moisture by drawing it away with a vacuum cleaner held over the affected areas for up to 20 minutes in each accessible area. This is the fastest method and can completely dry out your phone and get it working in thirty minutes. Be careful not to hold the vacuum too close to the phone, as a vacuum can create static electricity, which is even worse.
7. Use a substance with a high affinity for water to help draw out moisture. Leave the phone in a bowl or bag of rice overnight. The rice would absorb any remaining moisture. If available, it is preferable to use desiccant instead. Desiccant will absorb moisture better than rice. It may be found under a brand name such as “DRY-ALL” “Damp Rid” or “Dry Right”.
8. Let the phone sit on absorbent towels, napkin, or other paper. Remember that the goal is to remove all the moisture and humidity, not to trap it or add even more. Check the absorbent material every hour for 4 to 6 hours. If moisture is evident, repeat the vacuuming step and desiccant steps.
9. Test your phone. After you have waited a day or so, make sure, everything is clean and dry looking, re-attach the battery to the phone, and see if it works. If your phone does not work, try plugging it into its charger without the battery, if this works, you need a new battery. If not, try taking your cell phone to an authorized dealer. Sometimes they can fix it.  Again, don’t try to hide the fact that it has been wet. There are internal indicators (aka the little dot) that prove their is moisture.

Tags: cell phone tips, damaged cell phone, rescue your cell phone, retore cell phone, wet cell battery, wet cell phone

Attention: Socially Conscious Business Customers

Posted by admin | Filed under Uncategorized

Help hurricane Ike victims and improve the environment.

In an effort to help the many victims of hurricane IKE, naturalnetworksinc.com has started a wireless fundraiser making it possible for our concerned corporate citizens to donate their old cell phones for cash that will directly contribute to offset costs associated with the rebuilding efforts. We receive anywhere from $1.00 to $50.00 for each recycled cell phone. This money will go directly to American Red Cross because they are rated highest overall among the worlds disaster relief charitable organizations http://www.redcross.org

With more than 500 million unused cell phones laying around in drawers and closets, we all are likely to know someone who would like to help hurricane victims. Whether you have old phones at home or company phones siting in a box, your donation is welcome and will make a difference.

To arrange a pick-up including a prepaid mailing label or box call Mary Smith @ 866-599-5522

Tags: cellphones, concerned, corporate citizens, hurricane relief, ike, recycle cell phones

Is email hurting your business relationships and productivity?

Posted by admin | Filed under Communications Tips

While email has many obvious benefits, it may also be reducing your productivity and harming your business relationships.

Email has quickly become the chosen method of communications for company workers throughout the world, but email does not come without a price. In 2007 the costs associated with the loss of worker productivity because of email interruptions was over five billion dollars, but that is not all.

How much time do you spend reading and responding to emails even before you have started on the task? How long do you spend trying to figure out what the email is actually about? Finally (and this is a favorite annoyance) how often are you included in emails that you shouldn’t be?

Another issue is that email is very impersonal. In today’s business climate, we see more and more people using email as their main way to communicate. This is not a good way to improve or even maintain good business relationships. If you are unable to meet in person, then speaking to people on the phone will have a greater impact and increase your chances of successful communications. Emails also promote anti-social behaviors and some workers will use it as a “get out of jail free card.”

Other issues associated with email are that its users are human beings and human beings sometimes make mistakes. Nevertheless, this can cause big problems including customer and vendor complaints.

As stated at the start we are not trying to undervalue the benefits that emailing provides, but we do suggest a good email policy to help improve your employee’s productivity and business relationships. Try having your employees read and respond to emails at two specific times during the day and instruct them to set up an auto-responder that explains this to people. Another tip is to make sure they are as specific as possible with the subject line and only use the “reply to all” button when absolutely necessary. Statistics show that it takes the average worker twenty minutes to “re-focus” after an unnecessary interruption.

Here is an article from author Steve Robbins that provides great tips to reduce the time spent in your in box. For a biography and more helpful articles from Steve click here.

PS. Sometimes a one-minute phone call can save two hours worth of work in email.

Tags: corporate email polcy, email, email tips, increase workers productivity, Natural Networks Blog

To Voip Or Not To Voip

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Are you wondering if Voip is right for your company? If so, then here are a few things that you should consider before taking the leap.

What is VoIP?

VoIP, which stands for voice over internet protocol, is a means for using the internet as your method of transport to send and receive calls. I know that this is an over simplification, but it’s a place to start. Voip differs from traditional phone service in that, your voice call is digitized and sent over the internet as a packet, similar to the way we send and receive emails today, instead of using the PSTN (public switch telephone network), which is an analog based technology, or traditional phone service.

Here is how it works…

The three most common methods of using voIP today are:

• IP Phones (aka soft phones) –These are phones that look just like the phones we use currently, but instead of the traditional line cord which is plugged into your phone, they utilize an Ethernet cable like you use for your computer. There are many benefits to using IP phones, but perhaps the most significant, is that the phone will work anywhere where you have internet access- enabling you to be accessible no matter where you are physically.
• ATA’s are the most common way to set up VoIP service. An ATA (analog telephone adapter-or voIP router) converts the analog signal to digital. So you will connect your existing phone line to the ATA and be able to make calls over the internet. VoIP providers will typically provide the ATA free of charge when you sign up for their services. The device is usually pre-configured and easy to set up.
• Computer to Computer. This is the easiest way to use voip, but may not necessarily provide you with the highest service levels. There are many companies that offer low cost or free software which you will need in conjunction with speakers, a microphone and possibly a sound card. You will also need a fast and reliable internet connection; this is the only additional costs for this option.

Business VoIP Types

1. Enterprise Business Voip clients switch to voIP for several reasons including convergence, and the costs associated with intra-company calls.

2. Midrange Business VoIP clients choose voIP because of the applications and functions that voIP will provide. The ability to combine the functions of voice and data is also very attractive.

3. Small Business VoIP client’s choice voIP because it allows them the ability to set up advanced calling features with out having to spend a lot of money. Some smaller firms like how voIP allows their company to seem larger through these cutting edge communications tools.

What do I need to use VoIP?

A high speed connection to the internet is essential, but aside from that, all that is needed is the equipment appropriate to the type of connection described above. When adding multiple users, it is better to work with a reseller than to use an off the shelf service, since a reseller will ensure that your service is set up correctly and support you in taking advantage of all the great features that come with voIP

Why should I use VoIP?

When voIP first appeared on the scene, the primary reason businesses were attracted to it, was because of the perceived cost savings on phone calls. In most cases long distance rates are significantly reduced, local calls are less expensive or free and all intra-company calls are free of charge. This is especially appealing to geographically dispersed and multi-location companies where a lot of time is spent conversing with one another. When choosing VoIP, you will realize lowered rates, but its primary value is in the benefits the service will provide to your business. You should ask yourself: How will using VoIP improve my business practices and image?

Features & Benefits

Beyond cost reduction, it’s the features that make voIP such and attractive option. Let’s say you employ workers in remote locations and they are presently using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to dial back into your company. These employees could use your VoIP system instead of their mobile phones or your modem pool to make all of their calls. This has two positive benefits. First, it’s less expensive to make calls. Second, your employees will appear to be in the office, since their phone numbers don’t change no matter where they are. VoIP will also provide you with features like virtual numbers, real-time call forwarding from anywhere, and automated call attendants. Many companies with satellite offices and teleworkers appreciate these features since VoIP allows them to project a cohesive professional image, without having to invest in expensive hardware and software.

Is VoIP secure?

It is considered safe to use the Internet to make phone calls. The ‘tunneling’ protocols similar to those used in VPN’s, assures that the connection stays open and secure. It is also advisable to have a good firewall in place.

What are the costs?

This depends upon what kind of service you choose, but you will definitely need a reliable dedicated internet connection. If you intend on using your existing connection, make sure you ask your provider to run a bandwidth utilization report. This will tell you how much of your connection you’re presently using for browsing, email, file share, etcetera. Next, you will need to choose a provider. Traditional providers such as AT&T & Verizon have a per seat charge. Each seat comes with a set of features and minutes.

If VoIP so great why doesn’t everyone do it?

The problem up until now has been in the quality of voice service across the Internet. COS will need to be added to your internet connection to ensure voice is a priority. This isn’t an issue anymore because all of the key business voIP providers have added this to their offering. Another issue was that companies weren’t realizing the savings they’d hoped for when they compared VoIP to their existing service. Originally, business owners had the perception that VoIP was going to be free, and this is simply not true. As you contemplate VoIP, you should carefully consider your overall ROI. When clients look at Voip in this way, they almost always see a significant cost reduction.

Do I have to throw away my old phone systems?

Definitely not! Most companies would never consider VoIP if they had to do this. Networking vendors can assist you in the integration of VoIP with your existing infrastructure.

Availability

Hosted VoIP solutions are still not available globally. This means that you may be able to get a fully managed voIP solution in the US, but what if you have sites in Canada? Over time, you will see voIP providers expand their footprint. New countries and locations are being added daily. Keep in mind that the beauty of VoIP is that you don’t have to do everything at once. You can build it site by site. VoIP is growing and there are currently several providers offering solid solutions, even for the smaller businesses client.

Closing

VoIP has come a long way since it was first introduced by the Department of Defense in the 70’s. VoIP service is features rich and will help you improve your business practices through communications. When considering voIP you should evaluate your company’s goals and future growth plans to see how this service can assist you. Don’t hesitate to ask your providers and consultants to help you make informed choices. This is their specialty and they can and should be a valuable resource to you in making this determination.

Tags: business voip, compare high speed internet pricing, compare voip providers, high speed internet, internet service provider, roi, small business voip, soft phones, var, voip, VPN

Tips To Reduce Your Business Phone Bills

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Review your contracts

Make sure they do not auto-renew. Most carriers do add evergreen language in their contracts. Evergreen contracts automatically renew for a specified period of time. I have a client that was recently stunned when he found out that his contract for high priced antiquated service auto-renewed for 48 months, ouch! Don’t be afraid to review your contracts mid term. Many contracts have 2 components. They have a term requirement and an mmrc (minimum monthly revenue commitment). Typically when you have reached your mmrc you have fulfilled your contract obligations as long as you are in the final year of your term.

Sign up for etool phone bills

Electronic tools have come along way when it comes to phone bills. Etools will give you the ability to obtain real-time information about your service. For instance do you want to know how much bandwidth your T1 is using at the busiest point of your day? Etools will also give you a detailed breakdown by location, cost and service type. If this isn’t incentive enough then you should know that carriers are actually starting to charge clients for printing a paper bill. Not using etools today, here are a few of the Tier1 provider’s sign-up pages and tutorials.
Paetec-Webfront

AT&T Business Direct

Verizon Online

Sprint Online

Look into Unlimited Local Calling

Purchase an unlimited Local calling plan if your company does a lot of its business within your local calling area. For example in RI local calls are not free for business customers. Verizon charges about .03 a minute and a per call charge. Simple math will let you know if this is something that will reduce your costs. Local charges are included with your local service, usually on page 2 or 3 of your phone bill.

Comparison shop

When was the last time you compared your rates with other providers? If it’s been more then a year then you could be saving money. Shop around for a better rate. When it comes to phone service, there are many options and opportunities for potential savings.

Calling Cards

Calling cards carry a rate per minute and a sure-charge. Make sure that your employees know that they can minimize the surcharge by making their calls one after the other. To do this they would simply hit the pound button on their phone and they are all ready to make another call( surcharge free). One of the most expensive calling card calls is the international call. The rates for these types of calls can be over $2.00 a minute. Make sure you shop around for the best international calling card plans. Qwest seems to have some of the lowest international card rates with their World-card product

Review your bills every six months

Don’t just assume that your phone bills are free from errors. Phone companies have billing errors frequently. You should create a process for looking at your bills at least twice a year. If you are too busy with other business activities then bring in a telecom consultant. Consultants that conduct bill reviews will do all of the work for free. They make money when they find billing errors and discrepancies. Not only will they identify any billing errors but they may also be able to make additional recommendations for improved service and cost reduction. If you don’t have a process in place for this today, you could be throwing money away.

Switch carriers

I think a lot of clients are afraid to switch their services from one carrier to another. Maybe they have had a horrible experience in the past or maybe their current provider is scaring them into thinking they will loose service. The reality is that switching is usually seamless and very little (if any) down-time is realized. We let our clients choose the time that they want to switch their phone service. This gives them peace of mind that if there is a problem it won’t be at the busiest time of day. Make sure that you ask your sales consultant for a project plan and weekly updates. This will ensure everything is going as planed. On average a client will save 35% a month by switching from one carrier to another.

Don’t call directory assistance on your business lines

A directory assistance call will run you about .95 a minute. This cost is completely unnecessary as there are several free web based directory assistance providers. Some carriers will actually block 411 calls if you ask them to.

Here are a few of the most popular sites that offer free 411

anywho.com

bigbook.com

peopleatyahoo.com

Read the fine print

Phone companies have created bills that are very confusing to clients. Most of the time, the customer never even notices the hidden charges and deceptive billing practices (e.g. additional usf charges, pic charges and late fees). If you don’t understand it then it’s probably not something you were counting on being charged for. Ask your phone consultant or call your carrier about these fees. Understanding your phone bill is your right and the carrier’s duty.

Tags: Business long distance, Calling Card, International calling catd, Local, Lower phone bills, Phone bill review, Phone company, Tips to save money on your phone bill

What is a Phone Audit?

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A communications or phone audit by definition is a system designed to ensure that you have checks and balances in place to review your company’s communications costs. But, before we get into the details of the audit let me first address the word. The word audit can sometimes bring up negative thoughts as we envision the IRS knocking on our door with boxes of data in tow, even worse imagine that the boxes are filled with old phone bills; Egad!

A communications audit doesn’t work like that because in the end there can only be one possible outcome and that is the achievement of a positive result. A phone audit is the processes of having someone analyze your present phone & data bills to be sure that there aren’t any billing errors and to ensure that your costs are in aligned with the terms of your contract. The process always produces an opportunity for companies to save time and money.

Phone audits can expose many issues that can easily be fixed. Some of the issues we uncover regularly are billing errors, incorrect pricing, billing for services that you no longer need and my personal favorite, billing for services that you disconnected last year. The list of possibilities for improvement and reduction are endless.

In additional to saving money and sometimes receiving a credit a good phone audit will also produce a current inventory of your firm’s communications. The inventory could include identification of your circuits, phone lines, remote locations & cell phone devices. Having an up to date inventory will save you time in handling every single decision that is associated with your company’s communications. So don’t be fooled by the unattractive name, a communications audit will improve your company’s communication and if you are responsible for this department it will improve the quality of your life!

Tags: internet audit, local phone service, phone audit, phone cost recovery, telecom audit, wireless audit

International Cell Phone Service and VOIP

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If you have ever tried to make calls while traveling internationally then you know how time consuming and costly it can be. If your phone does work internationally then you will most certainly be charged premium rates. An average call from a foreign country will run you at least $1.50 a minute, and thats on a good day.

There are a few alternatives to making calls using your existing cell provider. One alternative is to buy a calling card when you arrive in the country you are traveling to. Today they even make mobile calling cards so you wont have to use a pay phone. The issues with this option is that you will have to make sure that your phone will work with the country’s card and that only happens sometimes.

A new option that will change the way we make calls when traveling abroad is called Mobile Voip. This service works basically the same way traditional voip works, but instead of using your computer or soft phone you will actually use your cell phone.

The process is fairly simple and includes downloading the voip software onto your mobile. Once the service is on your cell phone you will see it as an application on your device. You will need to make sure that your cell phone has internet access so you won’t be charged hefty data rates. The mobile voip company will charge you a monthly fee usually between $5 and $10 a month (early adapters can usually get this for free) and then they will charge you a per minute rate when you use their service. The rates are between 70% to 90% less then traditional roaming rates.

Here is a link to a good voip blog that will provide you with more information including some recommended providers.