What Is Bandwidth and Why Is It Important for VoIP?

During a VoIP call the voice is converted into small data packets that are sent out over the internet and then unpacked on the receiver end. If this process is interrupted, it can result in latency, jitters, loss of data packets or a complete breakdown of communication. That’s why when implementing VoIP for your business, you must consider bandwidth to avoid these common problems.

What is Bandwidth?

A simple definition would describe bandwidth as the maximum amount of information that can be transmitted over the internet during a specific time period. It is usually measured in bits, kilobits, megabits or gigabits per second – and this rate is typically determined by your service provider.

Does it Affect Your VoIP?

Yes. Generally, there are two main factors that affect the quality of your call – your bandwidth and your codecs.

Bandwidth

Since your bandwidth dictates the capacity of your network, it’s directly interlinked with the quality of your VoIP calls. If your service provider caps data transmission below the required rate demanded by your VoIP service, the interruptions to your calls will be detrimental in any business environment.

Codecs

An average VoIP call requires between 85-100 Kbps to provide a reliable connection without any unnecessary interruptions. However, this measure can vary depending on the codecs used by your VoIP provider to compress the data.

Typically, the most popular codec used for audio calls is G.711. Some providers, however, also offer the option to switch to more ‘economic’ G.729 when the network is slower. This helps to save bandwidth and removes the majority of audible glitches during conversation, even if the audio quality will not be at its absolute best.

Bandwidth Optimization

You have a variety of options when it comes down to optimizing your call over IP. You can find a few examples of the most common fixes below:

Online Speed Test

Online speed test is a great first step in troubleshooting your connection and identifying the difference between expected and actual internet speed. It’s recommended to run the tests on different days of the week and at different times to have a more complete picture of your network performance.

Limit Your Use

The more people use the network – the less bandwidth will be available for each individual call. If cutting down the number of people is unrealistic, it would be beneficial to at least limit the number of simultaneous calls.

Similarly, your capacity is also shared with any application that requires the internet. Please take that in consideration when looking for ways to optimize your connection to support IP telephony. You may want to cut down the heavy usage of the network by other applications, including pausing downloads and running necessary backups during off-peak hours.

Check Your Router

Router is responsible for directing data packets across the network. This is why you need to ensure that your equipment is neither damaged nor outdated to have access to the optimal connection.

Upgrade Your Current Internet Package

Your internet package has to be upgraded in order to meet the demands of IP telephony. Consult your provider to find out what option is the best fit for your business needs.

Conclusion

Calling over IP requires a fast and reliable connection, there is absolutely no surprise here. As a VoIP user, you should regularly assess and troubleshoot your bandwidth to ensure it’s optimized to fully support your business communication.

Also, pay attention to how it’s used, as at times some simple tweaks can help distribute demand in a more sustainable manner and avoid network overload. In some other cases, you can engage in even more radical intervention – consider reviewing your internet package and updating your router to further improve your experience.

For more information about all things VoIP, please visit www.voip-info.org.