VoIP and RoIP are both IP-based technologies. The two of them require less physical infrastructure than traditional systems and support long-distance voice communication over the Internet. You might be wondering why we’re discussing similarities when you came here to learn about the differences. The reason is that both VoIP and RoIP are closely related, which is reflected by the terms themselves. One could say that they have more in common than their differences, and it would be true.
With that being said, there must be key differences that set apart VoIP and RoIP to be separate technologies. Today, we’ll see exactly what factors vary with each of the two.
What is VoIP?
VoIP is the communication technology that has replaced almost all the traditional landline phone systems in the UK. The reason is that VoIP utilises the internet and IP networks to transmit call data, which completely erases the need to set up a framework of copper wires to physically connect phones.
A device registered in a VoIP system can make and receive calls by just connecting to the Internet wirelessly or via an Ethernet cable. The device requirements for a VoIP system are also very flexible. It could be a laptop, tablet, smartphone, landline phone with an ATA adapter, or software-based IP phone.
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Users of a VoIP system
A VoIP system is used by medium- to large-scale businesses in the majority of industries. To name a few, consultancy agencies, IT houses, Real estate businesses, and remote workplaces use a hosted VoIP system to implement IP telephony.
The common objective among all the types of VoIP users is to maintain a cost-effective, flexible, and scalable communication system for both customers and employees. Switching from an old landline system to a VoIP system is not complicated at all, which is what makes the option of a VoIP system more feasible. Consider this: you can easily add or remove users from your VoIP system, use it remotely, and get higher audio quality, all while reusing your previous hardware and an internet connection.
How does data travel in a VoIP network?
To understand the path of the audio signals in a VoIP network, let us first understand the conversion process of these voice signals. In a VoIP system, the data travels in the form of digital packets. To achieve this, a two-step process takes place in which the analogue signals are first converted to digital signals. It is important to know because this process is opposite to a landline phone system, in which audio signals travel as they are.
The digital signals (which were previously analogue) travel via the internet to reach the VoIP service provider’s network. Here, they are transformed into IP packets. This step is done using compression and decompression algorithms, so more data can travel in less time using minimum internet bandwidth.
The working of a VoIP system hints at the main components that make up a basic VoIP system. These are :
- An internet connection.
- A VoIP software subscription, in case of a hosted VoIP system.
- A device with the ability to connect to the internet at both ends.
- Headsets (optional) to maintain the privacy of calls.
Advantages of using a VoIP system
Users of a VoIP system avail themselves of many advantages:
- A VoIP system can easily accommodate the growing needs of your business over time. It is easy to add users to the system.
- VoIP provides a cost-effective alternative to landline phone systems. Right off the bat, the expenses for installing heavy infrastructure and hardware are not needed anymore. And if we look into it in detail, many indirect expenses are cut down too. The rate of international calls is cheaper with VoIP, and it also comes with advanced features, along with the package.
- The quality of audio calls is better when it comes to VoIP. And it is not restricted to audio calls only; video calls and files are also exchanged over IP.
- Calls can be made remotely as long as there is an internet connection.
What is RoIP?
Radio over Internet Protocol is the application of IP technology over two-way radio communication. Like VoIP, RoIP also uses the internet to send and receive signals and uses existing IP infrastructure to cover wide areas. RoIP connects different points in a network via the internet, so there’s no need to manually manage the channels and radio frequencies as seen in traditional radio systems.
Users of RoIP
RoIP is especially useful in workplaces related to emergency services, transportation, and broadcasting stations. So, the environments where people need to communicate over long distances. It is achieved by using IP technology in combination with existing radio infrastructures.
How does RoIP work?
The unique feature of RoIP is that it implements the push-to-talk (PTT) capability in a conversation. As the name suggests, this allows you to press a button on the device to talk and then release to hear the message from the other end. PTT is also related to the half-duplex mechanism of RoIP, which we’ll discuss later in the blog.
In RoIP, at least one of the components in the system must be a radio. It is one of the basic factors that differentiate RoIP and VoIP. For example, imagine a VoIP call where a person uses a smartphone to call someone using a laptop. To make the same call over RoIP, we will have to replace either the smartphone or the laptop with a two-way radio device (connected via an IP gateway).
Interoperability of RoIP
RoIP is designed for interoperability, meaning it helps connect radios with non-radio devices over the internet. This wasn’t easily doable with traditional radio systems. Like in the example we discussed above, as long as one of the nodes in the network is a radio, the other nodes can be different devices.
What is the half-duplex mechanism of RoIP?
RoIP networks always include at least one radio device as part of the communication network. RoIP uses at least one IP-enabled radio device with PTT that is typically half-duplex. This means that only one person can talk at a time. Remember not to confuse it with the one-way or two-way communication pathway. It’s still two-way (you can send and receive audio), just not simultaneously. It is different from VoIP, which is usually full-duplex, and both people can speak and hear each other at the same time.
How is RoIP different from traditional radio systems?
In traditional radio communication, you might have heard about the concept of channels or radio frequencies. Basically, these are the tools to regulate analogue signals over a radio network. The COR (Carrier Operated Relay) and CSQ (Carrier Squelch) are methods used to control when a radio can transmit or receive signals. This helps avoid interference of signals with each other.
- In analogue radios, COR tells the radio when it is actively receiving or transmitting a signal so that it can start or stop accordingly.
- CSQ is used to reduce background noise.
When it comes to RoIP, both of these functions are completed by a software-based control, which ultimately increases the accuracy level. The same logic used in traditional radio systems is used in RoIP too, but it’s handled through IP and digital protocols rather than analogue signalling.
Advantages of using a RoIP system
For the relevant industries, using a RoIP system can be especially beneficial. It offers many advantages, like
- As compared to a traditional radio system, RoIP can prove to be cost-effective. With the obvious expense of setting up a physical infrastructure gone, the price automatically goes down.
- A RoIP system can easily integrate with other non-radio devices.
- RoIP communication is reliable with the least expected latency.
- The RoIP connection improves the old traditional radio systems by digitalising them and using the network over the internet.
RoIP vs VoIP: At a glance
| Factors | VoIp | RoIP |
|---|---|---|
|
Full Form |
Voice over Internet Protocol. |
Radio over Internet Protocol. |
|
Technology Type |
Internet-based voice communication. |
Internet-based radio communication. |
|
Device Requirement |
Internet-connected phones/laptops/tablets. |
At least one radio device + IP gateway. |
|
Communication Mode |
Full-duplex (talk and listen simultaneously). |
Half-duplex (one talks at a time). |
|
Primary Use |
Business communication (calls, video, file sharing). |
Long-distance communication (emergency, transport, broadcasting). |
|
Hardware Setup |
Minimal physical infrastructure. |
Uses existing radio + IP setup. |
|
Advanced Features |
Call scalability, remote access, and cost savings. |
Inter-device compatibility, reduced latency. |
|
Cost Efficiency |
Reduces traditional phone costs. |
Reduces traditional radio system costs. |
Which option is better for your business?
VoIP is the better choice if your business depends on clear and fast communication. It’s ideal for everyday business work like team calls, client meetings, and daily collaboration, whether that be voice, video, or international calls. On the other hand, RoIP is for specific industries that still rely on two-way radio systems. For businesses looking to cut costs and upgrade from traditional phone lines, VoIP offers more flexibility, better integration, and more features.
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