Communication in today’s world is becoming a lot more different than it was a few ages ago. The onset of the internet has brought a lot of changes and communication technology is has benefited a lot from it.
One aspect of communication that the internet changed is the transition of landlines to a hosted phone service like VoIP technology. Some people use VoIP in addition to their landline service as it provides cheaper call rates, but most VoIP services don’t provide 911 emergency calls or phone directory listing.
Let’s look at what VoIP actually is, how it works, and the benefits it provides to its users.
What is VoIP?
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), as the name dictates, is a method of transferring voice signals over the internet. All you need is a stable internet connection, a computer, an adaptor or a specialized phone and you can connect with anyone, anywhere in the world.
The difference between VoIP and landline is that it is a phone service, delivered through an internet connection instead of your local phone company.
How Does VoIP Work?
In simplest terms, small business VoIP services convert your voice into a stream of digital signals allowing you to contact people from your personal computer or a VoIP enabled phone. With the use of VoIP technology, we can send much more information in comparison to traditional ways of voice communication as it uses packets to carry data.
Benefits of VoIP
VoIP technology has had the most positive effect on organizations and has dramatically impacted on how they work.
- Organizations have been able to reduce their calling costs significantly by switching to VoIP services. IP phones offer a lot cheaper, long-distance and international calls and are practically costless as you only need to pay for your internet connection.
- Another benefit of using VoIP is the mobility and scalability it provides. Organizations don’t need to restart the whole phone line setting up the process if they move to a different place or city as VoIP is only limited by an internet connection.
- VoIP technology is an excellent boost for customer relationship management companies that need to enhance their customer-buyer relationship. VoIP provides an option to enhance your caller ID and safely store all the caller information.
VoIP vs Landline is a very broad discussion topic as some people are still skeptical about the new technology. For further guidance on how VoIP can prove to be a blessing for your business, head over to the link.
Types of VoIP
The most distinctive feature of VoIP is that it offers different ways to place a call. Most used services of VoIP in today’s world are:
- ATA: The most common way is by the use of an Analog Telephone Adaptor. The ATA is a device that allows you to connect a standard phone to your computer or Internet connection to avail VoIP services.
- IP Phones: These are specialized phones that connect directly into your internet modem device and are ready to use as soon as they are plugged in. These IP phones or “Wi-Fi phones” work on the phenomenon of converting analog audio signals into digital data.
- Electronic devices – electronic devices: This is, without question, the easiest way to use VoIP technology. The only thing you’ll need is a software compliant to use VoIP services, and you are good to go.
