Is VoIP superior to traditional phone service? What benefits does a regular analog phone have compared to an IP phone? When deciding on a phone system, keeping these distinctions in mind is vital.
There’s a good chance that you’re already familiar with landlines provided by the phone company.
95% of Americans now have access to broadband internet, so there are plenty of options to think about.
Learn about the many phone systems available, how they function, and how they stack up against one another with the help of this guide. Let’s get to it!
What is VoIP?
Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP, is a system (consisting of hardware and software) that transmits voice communications through an internet connection rather than an analog phone line, which employs physical wires or optical fibers. VoIP is also referred to as IP telephony and internet calling.
Traditional landline phones, mobile apps, computer software, and VoIP-enabled phones are all viable transmission options for VoIP.
How does VoIP work?
To make a call using VoIP, your speech is converted into digital packets sent as data via the internet, much like electronic envelopes.
To everyone with a good internet connection and one of the many compatible VoIP systems, VoIP is easily accessible. All these methods support Voice over Internet Protocol calls.
A phone and VoIP adapter
A regular landline phone can make and receive calls via the internet with an adaptor. The adapters connect to either a wall phone jack or your wireless router.
A computer (i.e., a “softphone “)
Skype, Google Voice, and FaceTime are just a few of the many apps and programs that allow you to make phone calls via the internet.
A smartphone
Apps like Google Voice and Skype can be downloaded to your smartphone to facilitate online calling.
A dedicated VoIP phone
These seem like regular analog phones, but they use WiFi to make and receive calls instead of a landline.
Features of VoIP
Virtual receptionist
Using fully automated features, a virtual receptionist (also known as a virtual assistant) can perform many of the duties of a human receptionist.
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The services it provides—answering calls, playing prerecorded messages, rerouting calls, etc.—are standard with VoIP plans.
When you’ve called a company for assistance, you’ve spoken with a virtual receptionist.
Automatic directories, which include recent system updates and information, can resolve difficulties before a caller is transferred to a live operator.
Transferring calls automatically
One of the most helpful functions is the automatic forwarding of calls.
In essence, this will automatically transfer any incoming VoIP calls to another phone number of your choosing.
One popular application is forwarding work calls to a mobile phone when out of the office.
During crucial meetings, a receptionist can redirect a person’s calls to voicemail.
You have greater discretion over who you make yourself available to with this function.
3-digit dialing
You are familiar with the contact information to use in an urgent situation.
Only three digits are needed to reach someone who can assist you.
Just think of the possibilities if everyone, not just emergency responders, had instant and dependable access.
That’s right; dial the area code plus three to reach the desired number.
You can assign a unique three-digit code to any essential numbers you choose.
This method makes frequently used numbers as simple to save and dial as 911.
Teaching a young child to dial 911 is easy; using only three digits to reach any important number is much easier.
Voicemail to email
This is a transcription service that converts voicemails into electronic messages, as the name suggests.
Not a voice-to-text feature, please note. The process of converting voicemail to email does not result in a transcript of the message.
On the contrary, it records an audio file and sends it to your inbox.
This can make it simpler to store and/or exchange voicemails and access them via methods other than your voicemail line.
Some implementations of this service even allow you to erase voicemails from your inbox. In an efficient sense, it is a multiplier.
Pros
Low cost
One of the most significant selling points of a VoIP system is how inexpensive it is.
Calls are made using your internet connection rather than your phone line, so you only pay for your data transfer.
Multiple lines on a typical phone system can be costly, and features like call forwarding and queuing can add even more to the bill.
Since international calls made through a VoIP app are typically free, it’s an affordable option for making long-distance phone calls.
Access from any location
In today’s fast-paced business environment, many executives must be approachable.
Compared to traditional phone lines, the features of VoIP systems are far superior.
You can make and receive calls anywhere you have an internet connection. Calls made to your VoIP phone will be forwarded to you automatically.
Sound quality
Clearer sound is typically achieved with VoIP than analog phone lines, though this also depends on the quality of your internet connection.
Call quality can suffer with a sluggish connection, but a solid one should ensure crisp, steady audio.
Higher efficiency
VoIP systems are more versatile than traditional landlines since they enable customers to make and receive video conversations and send and receive multimedia messages.
Voicemail, call analytics, anonymous call rejection, and voicemail-to-text transcription are all standard system add-ons.
Technology
VoIP converts the voice portion of modern communications into a digital format transmitted over standard digital lines.
VoIP is more compatible with advanced voice-based technologies than traditional landlines.
Because of this, it can work with cutting-edge gadgets.
Modern VoIP equipment includes headsets, cell phones, and other computer peripherals.
Reliability
VoIP is incredibly reliable because of its digital nature.
Many of the world’s most reliable networks are used to transmit and receive IP data.
Supporting voice conversations with this infrastructure significantly increases its dependability.
Cons
Emergency calls
One of the primary drawbacks of VoIP is that it is not always possible to make an emergency call, such as 911.
This is partly because of the portability of VoIP and mobile phones, unlike traditional landlines, from which calls can be easily pinpointed to a specific location.
This means that VoIP service providers must support Enhanced 911.
When an E911 subscriber dials 911, their predefined physical address is displayed.
Since VoIP and the public telephone system are direct competitors, VoIP providers must work with traditional phone companies that control access to the public telephone system and 911 operators.
Calling your VoIP provider is the best way to determine if 911 service is provided automatically, if it must be activated, or if it is not supported.
