This material is not 'high level' nor targeted at power users looking to deploy their own VOIP PBX system. It is more intended as "basic and real world" material for "end users" who might be curious to learn a bit more about what VOIP is, and how they can specifically personally benefit from it, in a tangible / direct / immediate manner. (ie, get services of interest for 'good price or no cost')
DISCLAIMER - I discuss in the categories below a number of service providers, most of which I have personally tested. Their inclusion here is purely for clear illustrative purposes. Your experience with the services below may differ drastically from mine. I have no affiliation with these providers, other than (possibly in some cases) as a satisfied customer.
With these limitations in mind....
VOIP (Voice over IP) phone services have been gradually creeping into the marketplace in the past years, with a certain amount of "buzz" but also some ambiguity about the actual benefits, especially for "average consumers".
This page is a very brief summary / starting point to illustrate a few specific "areas of phone service" which have some significant benefits to "normal day to day users" of the phone services discussed below. Clearly, if you don't use the relevant service, the potential benefits are negligable!
Please note that services I cite below are simply examples which I've tested and like. This is NOT to say that they are inherently superior to any/all alternatives, but simply that (they exist / they work / I like them.)