
You may have heard the term VoIP mentioned recently, it has been hailed as the future of business communications and has gained more popularity during the covid-19 pandemic.
Many companies are abandoning the traditional landline in favour of a VoIP phone system.
But what exactly is VoIP?
VoIP is an acronym for Voice over Internet Protocol, also called IP telephony. It is a technology that enables you to make phone calls using a broadband Internet connection instead of through a phone line. Or simply put, VoIP is phone service over the internet.
VoIP works by a way of digitizing audio voice signals and then sending the digital voice information over the Internet via an IP network. The audio voice signals are converted into digital format by using what is known as ‘codecs’. This can be achieved using a VoIP Phone or through a separate box such as an ATA (Analogue Telephone Adapters). There are many VoIP phone options that offer a traditional phone service as well as multiple added features. This means you can get Phone service delivered through your internet connection instead of your regular phone company, provided you have a good enough quality connection. Many people opt to use VoIP as an addition to, or instead of, their usual phone service.
The two main advantages of VoIP are lower costs and better functionality.
VoIP makes some things far simpler that are either difficult or impossible when compared to a traditional phone network. VoIP provides the functions needed by modern companies such as better connectivity and mobility. Incoming phone calls with VoIP are routed to your VoIP phone automatically whenever you are plugged in to the network. With a VoIP phone, you can take it anywhere and you will receive incoming calls whenever you connect to the internet. This is good for remote working and also call centre agents, who can easily work anywhere with good internet connection if they use a VoIP phone.
One big advantage of VoIP is lower costs. Using VoIP generally costs less than the same service from a more traditional provider. This is largely due to the fact that phone providers are more likely to be monopiles or functions of government entities. Also, there are usually costs savings when using a single network for both voice and data. This is especially the case when users have more data or network capacity than they generally use, meaning they can use VoIP for calls without accumulating additional costs. Some may see VoIP calls as free, even international calls. While they pay for internet service, using VoIP may not incur additional charges and therefore the calls are viewed as free.
If you are not sure if VoIP is right for you, many providers offer a free trial, so you have nothing to lose by trying it for yourself.
At the time of writing VoIP plans with RingCentral, a favourite among business in the UK and used by Forbes and Deloitte, VoIP plans can start from as low as £7.99 per month per user for a basic plan which includes 100 outbound minutes, a dedicated direct line and unlimited extensions. While their favoured premium service is offered at £19.99 and boasts 2000 outbound minutes, automatic call recording and unlimited internet fax.
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