Is VoIP reliable? That’s one question that every business owner has when thinking about switching from landline to VoIP.
Will it handle my call volume?
Can it assist remote workers?
Will my call quality be affected?
What will be the cost differences?
This article will explain how VoIP is definitely a reliable option for your business. And you will see how its reliability can benefit your working procedures.
How is VoIP more reliable than landline?
Let’s discuss what makes VoIP more reliable than landlines.
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1. Better sound quality
One of the advantages of landline vs VoIP was that landlines provided better voice quality, but that has changed. Thanks to technological advancements over the years, VoIP calls now maintain high quality due to the following measures taken by VoIP providers.
- Quality of Service (QoS): This prioritises VoIP traffic over other types of data (video, music, image, etc.) which reduces latency.
- Advanced compression codecs: Efficient codecs like G.729 and G.711 compress voice data without significant loss of quality, allowing for crisp sound quality on lower bandwidths.
- Error correction: Techniques like packet loss concealment are used to help maintain call clarity.
- Advanced network protocols: Protocols like Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) and Real-Time Protocol (RTP) facilitate the management of VoIP calls effectively and in real time.
That being said, you need a reliable and fast internet connection to enable reliable VoIP calls. Since a single call takes 85-100 Kbps of bandwidth, many VoIP providers recommend having a 10-25 Mbps internet package for proper functioning.
2. More secure
Landline phone lines are prone to 2 big issues. Wiretapping; attaching a device to intercept and listen to phone conversations and caller ID spoofing; displaying a different phone number hence masking the true identity of the caller.
VoIP calls don’t have either. Yes, internet calls are susceptible to cyberattacks but modern VoIP systems are secured with security measures such as end-to-end encryption, firewalls and regular security updates.
3. More flexible
VoIP systems are more flexible and, hence more reliable. Landline phones, if broken, limit the connectivity for your customers and clients. Unless you get the phone fixed, the communication channel won’t get restored. However, that is not the case with VoIP calls.
You can enable temporary call forwarding which directs calls to another number. Or take calls on other devices like laptops or mobile phones (mobile VoIP). The only thing you need to make these devices VoIP-compatible is the VoIP app provided by the service provider.
4. Dynamic allocation reduces downtime
Most reliable VoIP providers use data centres distributed across different locations which means if one centre experiences an issue, the calls can be routed to another centre, which reduces downtime. In fact, many statistics have shown that the downtime with reliable VoIP services was less than 0.001%.
Also, you can switch to a backup internet connection in case of an internet outage and thus, keep your communication network intact. On the other hand, if the landline phone lines are affected by weather or a natural disaster, you have to wait for the government bodies to fix them first and then resume your communication with the customers and clients.
Key factors to consider before switching to VoIP
The reliability of a VoIP system is dependent on some key factors.
1. Your internet connection
You may experience low-quality VoIP calls if your internet connection doesn’t have the required bandwidth. They may be depicted as jitter, muffled voices and dropped calls.
The solution to this problem is to ensure you have an internet connection with a bandwidth of at least 10-25 Mbps and your VoIP provider has QoS installed in the service.
2. The type of infrastructure you have
Your office might have a network infrastructure that doesn’t align with the VoIP system provided by our provider.
The solution to this problem is to ensure you follow the standard protocols like SIP and RTP so general VoIP services are compatible with your infrastructure. Or choose a provider that offers APIs that facilitate the successful integration with your system.
3. The presence of a backup internet
VoIP technology needs a regular internet connection to function. In case of a power or internet outage, your business communication will be halted.
The solution to this problem is to have a backup power and internet supply. Also, make sure that your VoIP provider offers mobile app integration so your employees can manage calls on mobile phones.
4. The VoIP provider you choose
If you choose an unreliable VoIP provider with inferior infrastructure, inflexible packages and poor customer support, your experience with VoIP will be unpleasant.
The solution to this problem is to conduct prior research, make a list of 2-3 suitable VoIP providers, and discuss your business requirements with them before choosing the best option.
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FAQs
No, if you have a good internet connection with 10-25 Mbps speed, handling VoIP data will not be a problem. It is recommended to have a cable internet connection rather than Wi-fi to handle your VoIP system because it incurs fewer fluctuations.
The VoIP cost per month depends on the provider, contract type (monthly or annually), plan (on-premises or hosted) and features. It will range from £7 – £50 per month per user without the hardware cost included of VoIP desk phones or any other device you would need.
Yes, you can keep your existing phone number when switching to VoIP. This process, known as number porting, allows you to retain your current number, ensuring continuity and ease of communication for your business.
