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Learn to Use Broadband Phone Calls
You may have heard about the ongoing developments in using your broadband connection to make and receive phone calls. The growing interest in Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) phone calls means that more and more companies are offering the services, and prices are coming down.
One of the problems of VOIP is that there are many different types of jargon involved, which can make it confusing for the less technology savvy among us. The following information is a simple guide to what VOIP calls could do for your business, and how you can take advantage of the technology now.
How Does it Work?
Put simply, VOIP allows you to make phone calls through your internet connection, it works by converting a phone signal into ‘packets’ of information that are sent down an internet connection, and then converted back into an ordinary phone signal at the other end.
To use VOIP you can either use a special digital phone, or plug an ordinary phone into a special adaptor.
This is then connected into a normal Ethernet (Network) port on your hub or router (the unit that all PCs in a network are connected to, which shares the internet connection between them).
“A 128k Broadband connection is the absolute minimum…”
For all VOIP, a broadband connection is essential. Most phones will take up around 64k for sending your voice, and 64k for receiving the other voice, so a 128k broadband is the absolute minimum requirement to ensure no gaps in call quality.
If your business is also using this connection for email and web surfing, you will need a faster connection still (256k to 1024k+ depending on how heavy the internet use is); as the phone will share the connection.
There are several different types of VOIP, depending on how many phones you have, and whether you wish to receive calls. One setback of many VOIP systems is that they require you to use a separate phone number (usually an 0845, 0870, 0709, or 056 number), however this is likely to change as the technology and number of providers grows.
But whether you choose a simple single phone option or a total switchboard replacement setup from a VOIP provider; there is a potential for huge savings.
What Can VOIP do for My Business?
Save Money
By using a VOIP system, you can save large amounts of money on line rental and call costs. Although many services carry a monthly charge, internal calls are almost always free, and external calls are charged at low rates; saving you money compared to standard phone or mobile calls.
You will also need to buy phones or adaptors, but these are one off costs; and the prices are coming down as the technology develops.
If you opt for a large scale VOIP system (E.g.: replacing a switchboard with several phones), you will also need to buy controlling units, however these still cost less than most equivalent standard units.
Easier Call Directing
A major advantage of VOIP phones is that they allow a call to be directed to a phone, not a location. If for example, you travel between two broadband equipped offices (or even abroad), you could take the phone with you, and have all your calls go direct to you in either office, whilst an internal call from your VOIP system would still be free! This offers many of the benefits of mobile phones, but for far less cost.
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