Making a pick between VoIP and landline systems can be quite tricky, especially when both phoning systems offer unique business features. Today, we’d explain how costs, internet connection, and reliability play important roles in the level of functionality of both phoning systems.
Having an informed knowledge of these two would help you make an educated investment in a communication system suited for your business. Shall we?
What is VoIP?
Voice over Internet Protocol or VoIP as popularly known among business professionals is a communication technology that integrates both software and hardware connections for making calls over the internet. Rather than the conventional analog phone lines, this communication technology method offers more controllable features with swift accessibility in real-time. VoIP is easily transmitted through mobile apps, PC software, and specified VoIP-enabling devices.
How Does VoIP Work?
The VoIP communication technology functions by compartmentalizing voice inputs into digital packets and transmitting them to the recipient over the internet. With a strong internet connection, just about anyone can access VoIP communication systems. Businesses and individuals can either use a mobile phone or VoIP adapter through a landline phone to receive or make calls over the internet.
Voice (phone) calls can also be initiated directly over the internet through VoIP-enabling software and programs on a computer. Voice messaging software like Google Voice, FaceTime, and Skype provide great functionalities as VoIP varieties. There’s also the choice of installing VoIP apps on mobile phones for making seamless internet calls – or purchasing a dedicated VoIP device that functions like traditional phone lines except over the internet.
Common Features of VoIP
Virtual Assistant
People get fully automated features of a virtual receptionist with VoIP. All the benefits of hiring a traditional receptionist can be gotten with VoIP. Businesses get to enjoy fully automated call answering, message recording, and calls diverting features with VoIP packages. With these comparable virtual assistant features, businesses utilize VoIP when dealing with automated directories and information updates of their customers.
Automatic Call Forwarding
The ability to direct or forward calls to the appropriate channels has helped organizations deliver more customer satisfaction projects. Customers can easily have their complaints directed to the appropriate department with just one click from the VoIP line. Companies can easily connect a potential customer to staff on the field for updated information on an ongoing project. The automated call forwarding feature also comes in handy in global meetings.
3-digit Dialing
VoIP makes calling in the case of an emergency possible with easy-to-remember 3-digit numbers. These number combinations provide people with easy and reliable access to get across to the appropriate personnel in the case of an emergency. 3-digit dialing numbers are specifically programmed to manage the crises coordinated by emergency services providers.
Voicemail to Email
Like it reads; this automated feature allows businesses and individuals to convert or transcribe their voicemails to emails. This isn’t another voice-to-text software or mobile application that sends recipients readable messages of their voicemails. The voicemail to email feature of VoIP creates audio files of the voicemails sent to recipients then send to their emails. This feature allows voicemail sharing and repeated listening for future reference purposes.
What Equipment do you need for a VoIP System?
There are a few varieties of VoIP systems to explore when considering merging both software and hardware components for better communication. To begin with, users need to invest in a strong and reliable internet connection to get the best results from their VoIP features. With that being said, the common option is to get an adapter with a compatible landline phone. This adapter is a must-have component for basic VoIP connections.
Setting up a VoIP system over a computer can be done easily by connecting a PC or desktop computer with RAM and ROM over the internet. This setup then requires up-to-date VoIP software and a high-quality headset with a microphone feature. The VoIP system can be used with a smartphone by installing apps like Whatsapp, Skype, FaceTime, or Messenger. There’s also the last option of subscribing to VoIP service providers for VoIP-per-minute call plans.
Pros & Cons of VoIP Systems
Pros
- Low Cost: Transmitting day-to-day service calls over the internet through VoIP systems help businesses save a ton on their communications budget. The budget-friendly solution supports international calls over VoIP apps, unlike the traditional phone systems alternative.
- Connection Anywhere: VoIP systems allow business professionals to connect with their staff and customers anywhere in the world. Important calls can also be directed to personal phone lines for urgent inquiries and assistance.
- Sound Quality: Compared to its analog alternative, VoIP phone calls are often clearer; although highly dependent on the internet connectivity of the area or device. In most cases, people only have to worry about getting a strong and reliable internet connection.
- High-tech Integrated: All fast-speed communication networks today run through digital lines. VoIP simply uses the latest voice communications technology in enabling fast, easy, and reliable calls with smartphones and computers.
Cons
- Emergency Calls: One major disadvantage of VoIP systems is their inability to connect to emergency 3-digit dials like 911.
- Internet Dependence: Having a strong and reliable internet connection is a major requirement that is needed to get the best functionalities from VoIP systems. Simply put, when the internet connectivity range is slow, it affects the sound quality.
What is a Landline?
Since 1876, we’ve had the landline system as one of the major lines of communications for residents and business corporations. Until a few decades ago, the idea of having communication devices fit into our bags and pockets would have been a mere joke. Yet, with the multiple smartphone brands across the globe today, landlines still serve the core purpose of intercommunication; phone calls and recorded voice messages.
The landline phone system operates by channeling audio signals through a series of physical switch boxes using copper wire. This system then sends fast and reliable signals from one phone to another via a landline pole or receiver port. Running maintenance for the landline system could be rather expensive and time-consuming which is why we have several cheaper and low-maintenance alternatives.
Pros & Cons of Landline Systems
Pros
- Reliability: Landline systems offer a high level of reliability when it comes to guaranteeing a smooth and uninterrupted transmission. Plus, in the case of bad weather conditions from a natural disaster, phone lines remain functional.
- Consistent Quality: People get better sound quality with zero dropped call rates when they have issues with their internet service connection.
Cons
- Not Mobile: Landline systems are not designed for mobility. With technology finding its way into everything today, people tend to make business decisions on their ability to operate optimally from anywhere across the globe. Landlines do not offer that.
- Higher Costs: Investing in landline systems cost way more than their VoIP alternatives, especially when businesses would love to integrate added features like Call-ID, Call waiting, or Voicemail services. Yes, they attract additional fees including tax.
VoIP Vs. Landline Systems: Things to Consider.
- Equipment: You have to decide what equipment you have at hand and your budget range before deciding the best phoning system to invest in.
- Costs: Both landline and VoIP systems cost a considerable amount of investment generally. However, the number of added features or premium services a person or business looks to get from the service would determine the total cost. VoIP systems seem to be more cost-effective than landlines, but they may have some business-restrictive features.
- Internet Reliability: Landlines are somewhat reliable than VoIP systems because of their high-quality sound during transmission and guarantee against outages. VoIPs are dependent on internet connectivity which determines the bandwidth level of calls per time.
- Scaling & Maintenance: When considering future upgrades to accommodate more business-enhancing features, VoIP systems are the best choice because they are easy to upgrade and maintain. It costs a fortune to scale up or upgrade analog systems even for telecommunication companies.