What is VoIP?
When a critical client call lags or drops entirely, it causes frustration for any UK business. The moment of silence and the repetitive ‘Can you hear me now?’ are all too common for companies that depend on VoIP systems.
Poor call quality is more than just an irritating distraction for your team: it hinders your business relationship and affects your business growth. Your VoIP system’s efficiency can significantly impact your client conversion rate.
Fortunately, these issues are almost always remediable. This blog post offers you a simplified, step-by-step solution to improve your VoIP call quality. Let us turn your business communication from a source of frustration to a smooth, butter-like call experience.
Compare VoIP Phone System Quotes Today
Why Is VoIP Call Quality Important For Your Business?
Before we get into the solutions, it is essential to understand why protecting your call quality is critical to securing the full benefits of VoIP calls for businesses. A call is a direct contact between your business and clients; if there are regular call quality issues, it will create a negative perception of your business.
One bad VoIP call leads to:
- Loss of Contracts: A bad sales call might destroy the potential customer’s trust and make them question your organisation’s reliability.
- Distrust Between Clients: One bad VoIP call makes it difficult for your clients to build trust in your services and products.
- Reduces Productivity: Wasting time trying to clarify your message diminishes overall productivity, ultimately leading to decreased efficiency.
In simple words, exceptional VoIP call quality isn’t a luxury: it’s a fundamental component of successful business.
How To Detect VoIP Call Quality Problems?
To get rid of the problem, it is important to first detect what is causing it. Here is a quick checklist that will help you detect VoIP call quality issues:
| What You Hear | The Culprit |
|---|---|
|
Choppy, robotic audio |
Jitter or packet loss |
|
Noticeable delay or echo |
Likely a high latency |
|
Calls dropping |
Network instability or not enough bandwidth |
|
Low-volume or distant sound |
Codec malfunction or inadequate microphone hardware |
8 Common Causes Of Poor VoIP Call Quality And How To Fix Them
Now that we’ve set the scene and discussed the basics of VoIP call quality and its importance for business, it’s time to get into the most common causes of bad VoIP call quality and their solutions.
Here are the 8 common causes and their solutions:
1. Insufficient Network Bandwidth
Imagine your internet bandwidth as a motorway. Your VoIP calls are like an emergency vehicle: they need a clear, fast lane. If that lane is too narrow or filled with other traffic like video streaming, online gaming or large file downloads, the emergency vehicle won’t get through.
The Fix:
- Test Your Speed: Run a Speed test. A fast and stable connection is the heart of VoIP, without which it can’t function properly. If you are experiencing issues with VoIP calls, please check your internet speed and make any necessary adjustments.
- Do the Math: Typically, a VoIP call consumes approximately 100 kbps (0.1 Mbps). Multiply this number by the number of simultaneous calls your company makes to ensure you have sufficient bandwidth.
2. Network Congestion And Lack Of QoS
If all your devices need the same data, your call will suffer, even with enough bandwidth. This happens due to a lack of Quality of Service (QoS).
The Fix:
- Use QoS: Log onto your company’s router and perform necessary changes. VoIP needs to have a higher priority than everything else. This way, you’re telling your network that the VoIP call is the priority; everything else can stay on hold, more or less like a VIP lane on that data motorway.
3. WiFi: The Wireless Problem
WiFi is a great invention, but it’s less stable than a wired connection. The reception of other devices and networks, as well as variations in signal strength, can disrupt a live conversation.
The Fix:
- Use a Cable: Connect your VoIP desk phone or computer to the internet via an Ethernet cable. A wired connection is more stable than a WiFi connection.
- Optimise Your WiFi: The best thing to do is connect your WiFi to a modern, up-to-date router that supports the 5GHz band and is positioned centrally. Keep your wireless gear away from electronics like microwaves and cordless phones.
4. Outdated Hardware
You could have the best internet connection in the world, but if you are using a low-quality headset, your calls will sound terrible. Your computer and internet connection can be perfect, but outdated hardware will ruin your call quality.
The Fix:
- Invest in Quality: Buy high-quality headsets and IP phones designed with superior microphones and components for clear voice transmission.
- Upgrade Your Router: If you are using an old, outdated router, it may not be able to keep up with the demands of your calls. Consider upgrading your router to a modern, high-grade one.
5. Choosing The Wrong VoIP Codec
A codec is software that compresses and decompresses the voice data so it can be sent over the network. Some codecs try to save bandwidth by decreasing the quality of calls.
The Fix:
- Check VoIP Setting: Log into your VoIP provider’s web portal and look for an audio setting on your portal or call quality from which you can select a codec. If bandwidth isn’t a problem, choose a high-quality codec, like G.711, G.722, or Opus, for the best sound quality.
6. Your ISP Or Internet Connection Type
Not all internet connections are created equal. The technology used by your Internet service provider may be a factor; satellite internet has very high latency, while some DSL lines struggle to keep consistent upload speeds.
The Fix:
- Upgrade Your Internet Connection: If the problems persist, the internet connection type might be the problem. Upgrade your internet connection with a dedicated fibre line; it’s a great investment for many VoIP-reliant businesses due to its reliability and symmetric speeds.
7. Background Applications
Your computer multitasks for you, but that can be a problem for VoIP. Applications such as cloud backup services, video streaming, or large software updates can run in the background, consuming both bandwidth and data that your call requires.
The Fix:
- Create a Call Routine: Before an important call, get in the habit of closing non-essential applications and tabs in your browser, especially those that might be syncing or updating.
8. Your VoIP Provider
If the VoIP service provider’s infrastructure is overloaded or of low quality, the issue is not on your end, and you can’t fix it.
The Fix:
- Test and Compare: If you have consistent poor call quality, even after you have gone through the entire checklist, then it is a strong indicator that you are not getting quality service from your VoIP provider.
VoIP Call Quality Checklist
Run through this checklist if you face issues with your VoIP call quality:
- Test Your Internet Speed: Check the download and upload speed of your internet.
- Plug In: Connect your router via an Ethernet cable.
- Enable QoS: Go to your settings and prioritise voice traffic.
- Close Apps: Shut down the apps that are using the most bandwidth.
When Should You Consider A New VoIP Provider?
If your VoIP call quality hasn’t improved after trying all the solutions, your provider is likely the issue. Find a VoIP provider that has robust UK-based infrastructure, customer support that picks up, and a service level agreement that ensures performance will meet the mark.
Find The Best VoIP Provider For Your Business With ComparedBusiness UK!
There is no need to continue with a service that lets you down. At ComparedBusiness UK, we understand that your business communication is vital for success: that is why we will help you find the best VoIP provider. Get in touch with us to compare the best UK VoIP providers and find the perfect one for your business.
FAQs
In our experience, the leading cause of poor VoIP call quality is the combination of network congestion and the lack of Quality of Service settings. Without Quality of Service (QoS) settings, your VoIP call data competes with all other network data, resulting in choppy audio and dropped calls.
No, your VoIP provider is responsible for your call quality from their data centre onwards. Anything on your local area’s network is yours to fix, including your router, your WiFi, or your internet bandwidth.
Generally, if your internet feels slow, videos lag, everything online lags, and you experience call issues, then your ISP or connection type is likely the culprit. But if your internet feels fine for everything except VoIP calls, then the issue is your VoIP provider.
