Voice Over Internet Protocol has become a media and technology favorite, portrayed as the service that sends local and long distance carriers into extinction.

The quality of the phone call with small carriers is the same, you just haven't heard about these companies because they don't spend a lot of money marketing themselves.

Come the end of the month you might see some nice incentives for carriers who want current customers to extend their contracts.

In 95 percent of the country, it probably works great, and if you use your minutes correctly it's a great deal.

It truly is a commodity.

Some people still don't realize how much and how easily they can save on their long-distance bills.

The largest carriers have raised rates each and every month this year. Instead of increasing across the board they have been increasing rates for one plan one month and another the next month.

No matter who you go with, the services are going to be about the same. It comes down to your calling patterns, what your in-state rates are and the billing increments.