VoIP – you have most likely heard this word recently but what does it stand for and what does it mean?
A VoIP phone is a hardware or software based telephone designed to use voice over IP technology to send and receive phone calls over an IP network. The phone converts analog telephony audio into a digital format that can be transmitted over the internet and converts incoming digital phone signals from the internet to standard telephone audio.
How does a VoIP phone work?
Some VoIP phones require A/C adapters for power, while others use Power over Ethernet also known as PoE. PoE uses an Ethernet cable instead of an A/C adapter and removes the need for separate power and data cables. Several networking components are required to make VoIP phones work. Phones are assigned IP addresses through the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, which automatically configures the network and the VoIP parameters. A domain name system tracks the IP addresses to enable devices, such as IP phones, to connect to each other.
Why choose to move to VoIP phone System?
Accessibility is also one of the biggest benefits of VoIP for business. One distinct advantage is the ability to make calls from anywhere. If you have a decent data connection, you can make and receive calls for your business And when you’re unable to answer the call, you can direct calls to another person or get voicemails emailed to you. A noted benefit of VoIP is the ability to take your business phone with you with nothing more than an app. This means employees can stay productive regardless of their location. A VoIP number, also known as a virtual number, is completely portable. This means you can use the same number wherever you go. Let’s say you have a Brighton based business, but you also serve clients further-away like Manchester. By signing up with a VoIP provider you get a telephone number with the area code, although you’re based somewhere else. This makes customers perceive you as a local, even though you are not.
When VoIP service first rolled around, one of its most significant disadvantages was its weak call quality. However Today, as long as you have a fast and stable Internet connection, voice quality should not be an issue. VoIP calls tend to be crisp and clear, with no latency issues, lag, or call dropouts. The key to VoIP call quality is a robust connection with good bandwidth. Without this, it can be a nightmare, especially if you often find your office making concurrent calls. There’s always someone who calls in with a cell phone, and everyone else suffers through echo’s, delays, and background noise, VoIP phones end those interruptions so you can focus on the meeting’s agenda. Innovations such as noise-cancelling microphones and advanced audio compression enable VoIP phones to achieve superior sound quality.
Additionally, it is always advised to complete operating system updates consistently to ensure your business isn’t at risk through newer vulnerabilities
Overview
VoIP Pros:
- Lower costs
- Increased accessibility
- Complete portability
- Higher scalability
- Advanced features for small and large teams
- Clearer voice quality
- Supports multitasking
- More flexibility with softphones
VoIP Cons:
- Reliable Internet Connection Required
- Latency and Jitter
- No location tracking for emergency calls