Looking to upgrade your communications systems with the best business VoIP services? Find out more about voice over internet protocol features and why VoIP solutions can enhance communications through useful, cost-effective features.
What is VoIP (Voice Over Protocol)?
Voice Over Internet Protocol, better known as VoIP, delivers voice and multimedia communications over the internet. Rather than using traditional telephone lines, VoIP systems go beyond simply transmitting voice phone calls, and users can rely on VoIP for an all-inclusive communications management system.
VoIP combines a range of communications systems into one, secure network. Through a VoIP network, you can conduct everything from international phone calls, video conferencing, voice to data, and more. Plus enhanced features of VoIP unify communications and make it easier and more affordable to manage calls. In addition, VoIP integrates with a variety of hardware and software as well as devices like smartphones, tablets, and computers.
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What is a Landline?
When people say “landline”, they refer to a telephone network that uses a solid core, twisted pair copper wire that plugs into a two or four pin wall jack. In other words, the landline means a conventional telephone connection using cable laid across land. The landline transmits voice through a metal wire or optical fiber telephone. As new technology has developed, the number of landline users has decreased and more and more people have switched to wireless (cellular) or internet-based methods of communications. Let’s take a look at why so many have started to switch over to VoIP.
VoIP vs Landlines Comparison – Which Is Better?
Communications capabilities have changed a lot over the years. Just a few decades back, the average office would rely on traditional landlines to handle all incoming and outgoing communications. However, these conventional phone services have limitations. While traditional landlines use copper wires to transmit voice as data, VoIP utilizes newer technology to deliver voice as data with a wider range of features than conventional landlines.
VoIP vs Landlines – Cost Comparison
Generally, VoIP solutions cost less than landlines when it comes to both installation and ongoing costs over time. Businesses that need to communicate globally can save a lot of money, especially on international calls with VoIP services. Rather than paying exorbitant rates for international calls, businesses can simply handle communications over the internet paying a monthly subscription.
VoIP vs Landlines – Voice Clarity Comparison
Many VoIP services exist with varying degrees of voice clarity. This can also depend on the quality of the internet connection. A faster, reliable internet connection improves voice clarity. In general, VoIP provides a high-level of voice clarity compared with traditional landlines, especially when it comes to long-distance phone calls. Still, when it comes to local calls, traditional landlines still deliver relatively high-quality voice clarity over the phone.
VoIP vs Landlines – Features Comparison
As a more recently developed technology, VoIP comes with scalable features that can grow with a business and the number of users over time. It also easily integrates with pre-existing phone systems including mobile and in-office devices. Users can use the VoIP systems from their smartphones, desk phone, or computer to make and receive phone calls. On the downside, because VoIP systems depend on the internet or power to work, they will not function in the event that the internet goes off or power cuts out.
Meanwhile, traditional landlines represent the tried and true technology that businesses have relied on for decades. Unlike VoIP systems, offices can still use landlines in the event of a power-outage or when the internet goes down. However, traditional landlines have become outdated and do not offer the breadth of features available through VoIP. Therefore, landlines only really make sense for businesses in remote locations lacking a stable internet or power connection.
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Top VoIP Features
If you’re on the fence about whether to upgrade to VoIP or not sure which is the best VoIP service, take a look at some of the best VoIP features available. Before signing up for a VoIP subscription, consider which features will truly enhance communications for your business.
- Cost-effective and scalable: VoIP solutions have different plans and pricing packages to suit the needs of different business sizes and budgets while also adapting to a growing number of users.
- Local and international numbers: Keep in touch with all contacts all over the world with local, toll-free, and international numbers.
- Unified communications: Connect remote teams working around the world with an affordable, unified system.
- Music-on-hold: Music-on-hold entertains and informs callers while waiting to speak to the right person.
- Connect calls automatically and quickly with extensions: Extensions and dial-by-name directories make it easier to connect callers with the person they need to speak to in a timely manner.
- Collaboration tools: Video conferencing and conference calls allow workers to connect and communicate from anywhere in the world.
- Call recording: Automatic call recording lets users record and playback phone calls.
- Voicemail and greetings features: Businesses can use VoIP voicemail features like voicemail-to-email, visual voicemail, and greetings. In addition, auto-receptionist features greet callers automatically and direct them to the appropriate person.
- Mobile apps: Mobile VoIP tools integrate with popular mobile devices such as iOS and Android smartphones and tablets so users can handle communications from anywhere on-the-go.
- Easy integrations: Top VoIP services integrate with current phone systems as well as CRM platforms like Salesforce, Microsoft, Google, Zendesk, Oracle Sales Cloud, and more.
Bottom Line: Why Choose VoIP?
Today, small businesses can choose between voice-over IP (VoIP) or landlines to handle communications. VoIP opens up broader communication capabilities for making and receiving calls over the internet at lower rates. With VoIP, the communications system combines voice, data, and video into a unified, easy-to-manage system. Whether an entrepreneur or large enterprise, business VoIP systems make it easier and more affordable to manage communications with enhanced IP-based features.
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