Be not silent

You have many communication options. Call URTH wants you aware of your options. Call URTH can arrange VoIP service, but you have other options.

The traditional, hard-wired telephone service from local telephone companies is just one option. The perceived dependency of those local telephone company facilities are, however, coming to an end. They will continue providing a significant percentage of voice connectivity but consider alternatives.

Nothing provides better communication than a face-to-face exchange. When time allows a visit, indulge; but today's pace and economy does not afford much opportunity for this type of exchange. Friends and family are often too distant for this indulgence.

Write a letter! There is a certain magic in finding an envelope with your name on it. There is a certain therapy in writing. People in modern society seem to forget this level of intimacy; and our communities are becoming less vital as a result.

Participate in community meetings. Local information tends to impact before distant information.

Read newspapers and magazines; voice concerns to the editors. There is need to be aware of distant happenings, and there is need to be not silent when the distance bears impact.

The Internet is most recently to blame for decline of more intimate communications. A visit is an investment of hours or days, and letters can take months in concluding an exchange. Telephone calls are quick, but expensive when much time or distance is involved. An email exchange replaces postal correspondence and can be conclusive in just a few minutes. Chat rooms and bulletin boards replace community venues.

The Internet provides options, as well, for voice communication. Recorded voice messages can be sent as attachments in email. Many chat clients allow audio (and even video) exchange.

Of course, if you want to communicate with telephones, you should. We would hope you let us help with VoIP, but be sure to communicate. Be not silent.