No one can question that the internet has dramatically changed our lives since its introduction.  And like any new game in town, there will be players and there will be spectators.  Whichever side of the fence one decides to take will depend on several factors.

The internet can provide a lot to supplement even brick and mortar businesses, and in itself, can also be a medium for even small upstarts to have a digital presence.  Website development and internet business development include several phases, including conceptualization, planning and blueprint stage, acquisition of domain names, and implementation and execution of the business model.  Once a website is operational, factors related to web hosting (eg, managed hosting vs. individual or private hosting), servers (eg, dedicated servers vs. shared hosting), colocation, and communications costs (eg, dial-up phones vs. VOIP or internet telephony) have to be addressed appropriately.

The important thing is that one’s business is seen and heard in the web.  With proper internet marketing strategies, one can indeed secure a virtual beachfront location in the world of internet business.  And that may be the case whether the business is spawn by the internet or the internet is utilized to complement the existing business endeavor.

According to internetworldstats.com, latest world internet usage data shows that out of a total world population of approximately 6.7 billion, there are about 1.7 billion internet users worldwide.  For the US  alone, ~250 million out of more than 300 million Americans (or 74% of the population) use the internet.  However, the majority of those who surf the internet (or surf the web; although technically different, the web and the internet are sometimes loosely used interchangeably) have done so thru their desktops or laptops as the potential of regular internet use
over mobile phones remains to be fully utilized.

Fortunately, most of the available mobile phones and so-called smart phones now have built-in browsers as wireless providers aim to go beyond just voice service.  Also, some of the leading wireless and internet companies in tandem with the Worldwide Web Consortium are in the process of working on website development guidelines designed to make it easier to surf the web on mobile phones or cell phones. Some of the salient points include guidance  on appropriate use of large graphics or popups (that could clutter the mobile phone screens) and of cookies (which store information on the viewer’s device) and placement of content at the top of the cell phone screen in order to avoid scrolling thru multiple navigation links.

Social networking media, such as the micro-blogging site Twitter, have contributed to the growth in the number of consumers who use their cell phone or mobile phone to access the information superhighway that is the web.   As more advances are made in internet technology, the popularity of using cell phones to surf the web is on the rise.   And hopefully, the benefits in terms of convenience and getting the right information in a timely manner or via some other innovative applications will lead to a better world.

Internet telephony via application of Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) refers to the delivery of voice communications over the Internet. with VOIP systems interfacing with conventional public switched telephone networks (PSTNs) to allow for transparent phone communications worldwide.  In a play of words, there is nothing phony with internet telephony as it can translate to real savings, especially when used appropriately.

Equipment for making online phone calls via VOIP include:
- Broadband or high-speed internet connection such as by cable or DSL)
- Computers (eg, Fujitsu Computers), which may require appropriate software or microphone
- Adaptors
- Specialized phones (some VOIP services may only work over a computer or a special VOIP internet phones; while some may provide services via conventional phones connected to VOIP adapters)

Terms of services, such as those related to rates for local and/or long distance calls (including flat rates anywhere or depending on the number of minutes used),  may depend on the account details with a specific internet phone provider.  Some internet phone providers offer their services for free, but may be limited to other subscribers to their service.  For example, with Skype you can make free calls over the Internet. Skype – the whole world can talk for free

A schematic diagram of how internet telephony via VOIP works is provided.

For more information, especially for those in the US, one can go at the fcc,gov website.