The classic landline is slowly disappearing and companies are moving to calling over the internet. It is called VoIP, and besides lower costs it brings features a landline never had. Let us explain what it is and what to keep in mind.

What VoIP is

VoIP (Voice over IP) means calling over the internet instead of a classic phone line. The voice is carried as data over the same network you browse on. From the user’s point of view, you call exactly the same way, only the infrastructure is different.

Benefits for a company

  • Lower costs, especially for international and long-distance calls.
  • Flexibility. You have your company number anywhere, on a desk phone, mobile and an app on your computer.
  • Extra features: call forwarding, voicemail to email, multiple lines, a voice menu (IVR), call recording.
  • Easy expansion, you add a new line without running cables.

What it needs

  • Quality and stable internet with enough upload and low latency, which we write about in the article download vs upload.
  • A cloud PBX or VoIP service that manages the calls.
  • IP phones or an app on the computer and mobile, or an adapter for old phones.

What to watch out for

  • Dependence on the internet. When the internet goes down, so does the phone. The solution is a backup connection or forwarding to mobile.
  • Call quality depends on the network. The voice needs to be prioritized on the network via QoS, so calls do not stutter during downloads.
  • Power during an outage. Back up IP phones and network gear with a UPS, otherwise you cannot call during a power outage.

VoIP versus a classic line

VoIP is cheaper, more flexible and richer in features, but depends on the internet and power. With the right deployment and backups, these risks are well manageable.

Considering a move to modern company telephony? Get in touch, we will design and deploy a tailored VoIP solution as part of IT support for companies.