VoIP phones are becoming a staple in office environments and all for good reasons.
Experts claim that businesses that make the switch from traditional landline systems to VoIP networks are able to save around 50–75 percent of their monthly phone bills. Apart from being extremely affordable, VoIP phones are also great facilitators of employee productivity and business efficiency.
As the number of VoIP subscribers soars to over 205 billion, service providers are becoming all the more competitive, offering innovative features as part of special pricing plans.
At Top5 Business VoIP, we’ve always aimed to bring you the latest and most reliable information from the world of VoIP. In today’s article, we’ll be helping you choose the best VoIP service provider for your business by giving you a roundup of some common pricing models.
Understanding VoIP Pricing Plans
The total cost of your VoIP connection can be broken down into a handful of variables. These variables depend on the packages offered by your service provider but in any standard case, the pricing plan includes:
- Equipment and installation costs
- Base price for monthly usage
- Network service costs.
You might have to pay additional for any extra features that you might request with your VoIP network. For now, we’ll briefly cover the price ranges for the common variables.
1. Equipment Costs
While VoIP phones can save you significant costs in the long-term, their initial installation process can be on the pricier side. The entire process can cost you anywhere between $2,500 to $15,000. Here’s what adds to the price:
· Cable wiring
Do you already have enough data cables for the number of phone line connections you’re subscribing for? If yes, then you won’t have to pay for cables. However, if you need wiring installed from scratch then you can expect to pay anywhere between $70 to $250 for each connection.
· Hard-phones
Your office can sign up for additional hard-phones with your choice of VoIP service provider. The good thing about purchasing hard-phones like this is that you don’t have to pay upfront for the hardware. You can choose to have the payment adjusted in your monthly bills.
· Power Switch
You’ll need an external power source for your business VoIP phone; it won’t function on the existing Ethernet power switch.
· Internet Router
This is optional but often recommended for large corporations. The performance of VoIP phones depends on how good an internet connection is, hence it’ll be wise to invest in a router for a reliable connection.
2. Installation Costs
Most service providers will perform the initial installation for you, free of cost. However, there might be some that will include equipment charges into the installation costs to inflate the total cost by approximately $500.
3. Monthly Base Plan Costs
Any time you sign up for a VoIP service, you’re going to have to pay for a base plan per month. The rates can vary between $9 to $15 and go up from there as you further customize features. In a standard plan you get limited inbound and outbound calls and extensions.
However, some service providers like RingCentral give users unlimited calls within the US and Canada on the base plan. You can also get features like video conferencing or voice-to-email text with other service providers. It’s all about choosing the right one. If you go through our detailed comparisons, you’ll be able to find VoIP service providers that give you the most value for your money.
4. Customer Service Costs
VoIP phones are often used to bear the telecommunications load of an entire corporation. Technical glitches and downtimes can cause serious damage to a company’s operations. That’s why most service providers offer you 24/7 assistance and charge you accordingly. Your monthly bill will display a fixed price for the customer servicing; so, feel free to request any kind of support that you may need. Service providers can be contacted via telephone, live chat or emails.
Pro Tip: If there’s a problem with your VoIP hardware, as supplied to you by your service provider, you have a right to get it replaced for no additional cost.
How to Keep Costs to a Minimum?
There’s a common misconception to opt for VoIP service providers that offer low base plans. VoIP phones are a commitment for the long-term; signing up for the wrong one can cost you more than you planned on saving.
Try not to pick a VoIP phone service based on the initial costs it offers. Since the system is designed for long-term use, you need to think about how your costs will add up over time. The important thing for you to consider is the features that come with upgrading your pricing plan.
For example, you might choose a plan with a low base price but won’t get all the features you need to support your business. As a result, you’ll be forced to upgrade your pricing plan. However, that’s going to weigh heavy on you financially because you’ll have to pay for each additional feature separately.
The smarter thing to do would be to start with a plan that includes most—if not all—the features you need for your business.
Make sure to read the terms and conditions before signing up for any pricing plans. Some service providers might never bring to your attention the high interest rates and hidden costs that come with certain plans.
Additionally, take note of the quality of service provided by the customer support staff. This will be especially useful for those switching to a VoIP service for the first time. Also, take note that your service provider offers 24/7 emergency help. You can’t afford downtime on your servers if you have to wait to reach customer services during working days/hours.
Conclusion
Business VoIP phones are designed to provide a one-stop telecommunications solution to businesses of all sizes and types. Once you get searching, you’ll find numerous service plans that work for both small startups and multinational companies.
As long as you know what your business needs, you’ll be able to find something that fits your budget.
At Top5 Business VoIP, we’ve been helping businesses find the perfect VoIP service provider that offers them the most value for their money! Use our online guide to find comprehensive reviews that cover everything you need to know about your favorite VoIP service providers!
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