What is VoIP
VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol. In short, VoIP is the technology used to make voice calls possible over the internet. VoIP was developed back in the 90s and has reached a level of high level of reliability. VoIP is used by consumers who wish to communicate using free providers online and can even replace your traditional phone line. Many businesses are using VoIP to connect satellite offices and employees working from home. Even if you’re using a traditional phone line, changes are that a portion of your call connection is being established using VoIP.
There are many benefits to VoIP, primarily cost savings. For a small upfront cost, a company can eliminate its internal long distance costs. Consumers are also taking advantage of the cost savings by using VoIP providers that allow unlimited long distance. International long distance is becoming less necessary as travelers and families abroad take their VoIP equipment with them overseas.
In order to use VoIP as a consumer you need a VoIP provider and a small adapter box. The adapter connects to your high speed internet and has a phone jack allowing you to connect your telephone. The need for an adapter can be eliminated by using software and a headset with your computer. The software is commonly referred to as a SIP phone, which stands for Session Initiated Protocol.
One of the most exciting products I’ve seen released since the invention of VoIP is Hosted PBX Service. This service allows you to enjoy all of the benefits of an expensive telephone system without buying it. Instead, you pay a provider either by extension or per call. You configure your system through a web portal and can create extensions, hunt groups, forwards options, attendant menus, and just about anything else you can imagine. Equipment varies from single line phones to multi-line, multi-feature phones. These phones cost anywhere from $50 to over $500 each, depending on the model and manufacturer.
What’s the catch? The catch to VoIP is bandwidth. If you have enough, you’ll enjoy better quality than you do with a regular phone. Most important is upload speed and latency times. Many internet service providers give you a large download speed but don’t worry to much about your upload speed or latency. This is because most consumers are downloading, not uploading. Normal DSL or cable broadband will cover you for one VoIP line. Businesses making multiple simultaneous calls should consider dedicated circuits that offer synchronous upload and download speeds. Depending on the provider and equipment the speed you need for each simultaneous call ranges. It’s best to allow 60 Kbps for each.
If you’re worried about security because your calls are traveling across the internet, don’t. Finding a VoIP call and then de-encrypting it is so challenging that law enforcement doesn’t waste time trying it. Now don’t let that fool you, calls can be monitored at the providers end if law enforcement follows the same procedures they would to legally listen to a traditional line, they will be get their job done. Your calls are much more secure with VoIP than traditional service, which can usually be monitored down the block with equipment that every phone tech carries.
Our answering service offers integration with VoIP, allowing us to be part of your phone system. Calls can be routed to the service and then transferred to any extension in the world. The combination of VoIP and telephone answering service is perfect for small businesses that are looking to give a big business presentation. Give us a call at 800-355-2650 and we’ll make sure that your VoIP calls always get A Live Answer.
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