VoIP is the acronym for Voice over Internet Protocol. It’s also been called Voice over IP, internet calling, IP Telephony, and many other names. It has become a buzz word in the world of communications and one of the most popular technologies available in the market.
Obviously, before making a switch to any new service provider, it makes sense to weigh the advantages and disadvantages to make sure you’re getting the best deal for you. To help you out, we’ve put together this comprehensive guide to get you started.
Let’s get right to it and dive into the pros.
What are the Advantages of VoIP?
Here are four main advantages of getting on board with this solution:
1. Lower Running Cost
You will reduce your expenses and there are many ways in which this becomes possible. For instance, you can cut your copper wiring charges, as most Voice over IP platforms allow you to go completely wireless.
Plus, one of the costly disadvantages of traditional telephony is also addressed. You won’t need to handle taxes, repair, and maintenance costs. These charges are already included in your VoIP subscription and can start from as little as $1 per user per month with some providers.
2. Portability
Another piece of good news when we come to compare the advantages and disadvantages is the system’s portability. A VoIP number is a virtual phone number. This simply means it isn’t attached to any physical address.
Not only can you use the same number for calls and text messages wherever you go, your teams can also have a more localized appeal by choosing the country or area code that corresponds to your desired customer base.
This makes it incredibly practical and convenient for working environments, especially those with remote teams.
3. Scalability
One of the added advantages of switching to this service is the ability to quickly scale up or down based on your needs, and at a lower price too!
If you have to quickly increase the number of available extensions or add new departments in your company, it will only take up a few minutes to complete the necessary setup to accommodate this expansion. There is also no need for a complex onboarding process -one of the principal disadvantages of traditional PBX systems that limits business agility.
Alternatively, if you need to quickly scale down, you can do so at any given point. As the vast majority of the providers uses per-user pricing, at any given point you can adjust the numbers to better fit your needs. Definitely add this to the list of advantages, as you will never be tied into unnecessary spending.
4. Increased Accessibility
Accessibility is probably one of the biggest advantages. A stable internet connection and a good bandwidth are all that’s needed for a clear call.
You’re no longer restricted to locations with a phone signal, and neither do you require any new wiring to be installed. Your calls will always go through as long as both parties have a good connection, and this makes it widely accessible and easy to implement.
What are the Disadvantages of VoIP?
While it is often cheaper and more accessible than other systems, here are some disadvantages you’d want to keep in mind.
1. A Stable Internet Connection is a MUST
The signals travel over the internet, so a fluctuating connection will produce increased lag times, poor call quality among other interruptions making it one of the major cons.
Anything from 100kbps and up would usually be enough to keep a system running, but if you’re traveling to places with poorer connections than that, you’d want to consider alternatives. However, as the internet providers are improving their offerings, it may not be on your list of disadvantages.
2. Latency and Jitter
The sound transmission is only possible thanks to the data packets that carry bits of data and are reassembled to produce a meaningful message at the destination of the receiver.
Latency occurs when there’s a delay in transmission, jitter, on the other hand, is produced when there’s an interference in reassembling at a destination. These usually happen as a result of poor internet connection, inadequate routers, and insufficient ethernet cables. It can be considered one of the main disadvantages as unstable internet connection can cause jumbled conversations and you might be forced to reschedule your call.
Types of VoIP Phone Systems
Another thing you should consider before making a decision is what type of VoIP solution works better for you. You could either go for on-premise or cloud based solutions and each have a set of their own advantages and disadvantages to keep in mind.
On-Premise
Getting an on-premise system means you’d need to own or lease the server hardware for your business, and it’d be installed on your premises or location.
Since on-premise solutions are in-house, they’re quite capital-intensive, as you’d be responsible for ongoing maintenance, and that’s one of its disadvantages.
However, as a small to medium sized enterprise you shouldn’t entirely discard this option. 3CX, one of the leaders in the industry, gives SMEs the option to start off with their own PBX system offering Raspberry Pi.
This small and energy efficient PBX appliance can come pre-built to minimize set up time. With options like this available on the market, even smaller companies can enjoy the benefits of on-premise solutions.
Cloud-Based or Hosted
Cloud-based solutions require no setup or maintenance costs as everything is managed by the provider at lower prices. With installation and running of the system requiring minimum resources or dedicated staff, the SMEs have access to a sophisticated system completely hassle-free.
Your business phone system is basically hosted in the cloud by third-party providers like 3CX. Cloud-based solutions also offer many exciting advantages by integrating multiple features in one integrated. With the features such as live chat, CRM integration and video conferencing amongst others all of your business communication needs will be satisfied.
Types of VoIP Services
There are different types of VoIP services available on the market that add their own set of advantages and disadvantages. Here are the top three options you should review before deciding what’s the right fit for your business.
Device-based
This involves purchasing usually a USB adapter directly from the service provider and plugging it into your existing phone set to make and receive calls over the internet. This is just a step away from the disadvantages of the traditional PBX, however it does offer the opportunity to start saving by scraping monthly phone bills.
Software-based
This involves the use of a computer to access a VoIP platform online or through an installed software on your PC. This option removes the need for a desk phone to conduct a call. Since there is no wiring or special adapter, with a good internet connection and a laptop you and your colleagues can connect from anywhere you want. This can easily be added to the list of the advantages.
Mobile-based
It’s quite similar to the software service but instead, requires you to download an app directly to your smartphone or a tablet. Again, this method guarantees mobility and is maybe even more convenient than taking calls from a browser.
Final Words
It is clear that the advantages in the case of VoIP far outweigh the disadvantages, making it an obvious choice for any business to switch to this solution. By keeping in mind your business communication goals, you can always tailor the system to match your needs at no additional expense. Plus, as the uptime, security, and call quality have improved over the years, it’s not only an affordable, but also a reliable option.
Check out relevant providers on Voip-info.org and get started today.
April 7, 2023
Phone System 