You have probably heard of VoIP, which stands for Voice over Internet Protocol. It was officially launched in 1995 over the internet. It takes analog audio signals and turns them into digital data easily transmitted over the internet. It’s becoming a common phone solution for businesses and homes. The revolutionized technology has given users an affordable alternative. It has a multitude of useful features. But not everyone understands how it works, so this is a simple guide for beginners.
How Does VoIP work?
VoIP system uses packet switching technology to convert analog voice signals to digital data. It allows you to use the internet as a communication method for phone calls. Flexibility and price are the reasons why the system is growing in popularity. You can make a call from anywhere because it has broadband connectivity.
Business travelers benefit the most from the system because they can administer it anywhere there is a connection. There are plenty of VoIP companies offering minute-rate plans. They are structured the same way as cell phone bills. It can be as low as $ 30 per month or higher, depending on the features that come with the plan.
Some of the features you can benefit from include caller ID, call waiting, repeat dial, call transfer, return call, and three-way calling. Some carriers offer more advanced calling options, but it might cost you extra. You can play not-in-service messages to your callers when you are not around.
When selecting a carrier, ensure you check the kind of services they provide and if they will fit your needs. Even if you consider yourself a beginner, you will have to learn all you can about the phone system before you start using it.
Benefits of Switching To VoIP System
Understanding the benefits of using VoIP will make it easy for you to decide whether it is valuable to you or not. These are some of the advantages VoIP has over circuit-switching.
Increased Accessibility
One distinct benefit the phone system has is accessibility. You can make calls from anywhere as long as you have a decent data connection. You never have to forego a critical business call, which helps build trust with clients. Even if you cannot answer the call, you can redirect it to someone who is available. You can also get voicemails emailed to you if you miss the call.
You can take your business phone with you everywhere using nothing but a softphone app. This makes remote and mobile working a possibility for your company. You can afford some flexibility without compromising the integrity of the business. Homes using VoIP also benefit from accessibility, but businesses stand to gain more.
VoIP will adapt depending on how your employees work. That is why more companies are switching to the packet-switched phone network. If you already have remote workers, this will make their work easier, and they can remain productive no matter where they are.
Increased Security
Phone system security is crucial, especially for a business. VoIP can help you mitigate security threats like fraudulent phone calls. They use improved identity management and encryption to ensure your business calls are all secure. But if you want to guarantee your security, you have to work with a secure VoIP provider.
Your provider should be undergoing security audits from time to time. You can even get automated alerts for questionable calling behavior. When you finally switch to VoIP, ensure you finish operating system updates. It keeps your business secure even from new vulnerabilities.
Lower Costs
The bottom line is usually crucial for every business. If you can save up some money and use it elsewhere, it will be a big win. VoIP plans are significantly cheaper than the landline phone system. You can lower your phone bill by almost half of what it is right now.
Businesses that use VoIP are often given a chance to make domestic long-distance and domestic calls for free. There are so many add-on features you can get at no extra cost depending on your deal. You will have to pay for advanced features separately, but some of them are given to you as a bonus.
When you compare the amount of money you have been using you might find some costs advantages. A business probably makes more calls than a homestead. Lowe cost-per-call can help you spend less on your everyday communications.
Higher Scalability
Given a chance, every company would like a phone system that grows with them step-by-step. VoIP systems won't force you to buy a delicate line or expensive hardware as you grow. You can easily prepare for a spike in demand without too many extra costs.
No matter the scenario, the business will still be able to use the same features to make advanced communications. Scalability is probably one of the most talked-about benefits of the VoIP system because many small and large businesses have benefited from it.
The Downsides of Switching To VoIP
One of the biggest disadvantages of VoIP is that it depends on wall power. If your power goes out, you won't have a phone. You also need a reliable internet connection. An unstable connection can affect the quality of the call. Not all homes and companies can boast of having a strong internet connection.
There is limited tracking for emergency calls. 911 calls have become a big challenge because it's difficult for a third party to pinpoint exactly where you are. If they can't know where you are calling from, it's difficult to send help. This might be something to think about when you decide to install VoIP.
VoIP is prone to hacking, viruses, and other security threats that can be dangerous. Security advancements can protect you from all these vulnerabilities, but new threats keep cropping up every day. Ensure your VoIP provider puts security before anything else.
Final Thoughts
VoIP has many advantages over the regular phone. But it also comes with some downsides that are worth mentioning. Call monitoring is one of the benefits of using the phone system. You can get a dual-mode cell phone if you don't want to forego your current phone entirely. It contains both Wi-Fi radio and regular cellular radio. It's the best compromise when you want the best of both worlds.
