One of the major concerns of businesses shifting from a traditional landline phone system to a VoIP system is spending a fortune on buying compatible hardware devices. At the same time, they fear that their old devices, like landline desk phones, would become useless and go to waste. Both concerns are valid because VoIP system providers pose the solution as a cost-effective alternative to analogue phone systems. If an upgrade from a traditional telephony system requires your business to replace all your existing hardware, where would the “cost-effective” part be?
Luckily, that is not the case when it comes to choosing the hardware for a new VoIP system. There are devices that lessen the gap between the traditional analogue hardware and a digital IP system. Today, we will be looking at one of such devices, called a VoIP adapter. We will go through its definition, working, types, and cost breakdown so you can easily decide choosing the right one for your VoIP system.
What is a VoIP adapter?
A VoIP adapter is a hardware device that can convert a traditional landline deskphone into an IP phone. With a VoIP adapter, an analogue device (traditional telephones) can be connected to a digital IP system (VoIP) and used like an IP phone. A VoIP adapter has the ability to convert digital signals into analogue ones and vice versa. It can judge the incoming data signals and convert them into the opposite.
Let us move on to discuss the exact process through which it is done and how different ports are used for each connection.
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How does a VoIP adapter work?
There are 4 main components of a VoIP system involving a VoIP adapter:
- An internet connection (to send and receive calls and messages over IP networks).
- An analogue phone (from a previous telephony system to be used with the VoIP system).
- A subscription to a VoIP software.
- A VoIP adapter.
The important component to be discussed here is, of course, the VoIP adapter and how it fits in the system with existing components. Each VoIP adapter usually has two ports: an RJ45 port and an FXS port. So it lies in the middle of your internet connection and your analogue landline phone.
- First, you have to connect your analogue phone to the FXS port of the VoIP adapter. It will convert the outgoing analogue signals into digital ones and the incoming digital signals into analogue signals.
- Next, connect your internet router to the RJ45 port of your VoIP adapter via an Ethernet cable. This will directly give internet access to your phone because most analogue phones can’t automatically connect to the internet.
Types of VoIP adapters
VoIP adapters come in many forms. They are categorised into different types depending on the number of FXS ports they offer. In simpler words, VoIP adapters differ from each other based on how many analogue phones can be connected to one VoIP adapter.
1. Single-port VoIP adapters
Single-port adapters contain only one FXS port. This means you can only connect one analogue phone using this type of VoIP adapter.
2. Dual-port VoIP adapters
Dual or multiple port VoIP adapters contain more than one FXS port. This allows you to connect multiple analogue phones to a single VoIP adapter. In terms of price, it is expensive than a single-port VoIP adapter. We will get into the details of the cost breakdown of each type later in the blog, where you can have a better understanding of it.
3. VoIP gateway
It is a larger network which has the capacity of 8-48 FXS ports. It is perfect for large-scale businesses with traditional hardware which can be converted and used with the VoIP system.
Advantages of using a VoIP adapter
1. Save money when setting up a new VoIP system
Without using a VoIP adapter, your previous landline phones cannot be used with the new VoIP system. This could mean all your previous investments are going to waste. Alternatively, if you prefer physical phones over software IP ones, you will have to spend more to secure new compatible hardware, too. You can save on spending double the amount of the hardware costs by just buying a single or dual VoIP adapter based on your needs.
2. Simple setup and installation
A VoIP adapter is really easy to use and attach to your devices. If you want to take the help of a professional, you can reach out to your VoIP provider and ask for assistance. But, if you want to do it yourself, that is also possible because the whole process is quite simple unlike traditional landline phone systems that require extensive wiring. All it takes is connecting one of the ports of the VoIP adapter to your internet (like your Wi-Fi router) and the other end to your regular landline phone.
3. Option to scale in the future
Another major advantage of using a VoIP system is that it makes it easy to add more phones to your system. In a case where you already have extra landline phones lying around, you can connect those using the adapter and easily add new users.
Cost Comparison of Types of VoIP Adapters
Let’s compare the pricing of different types of VoIP adapters.
| Type of VoIP adapter | Estimated Price Range | Best for |
|---|---|---|
|
Single port
Dual Port
Multiple ports/ VoIP Gateway |
£15 – £26.
£30 – £55.
£100 and above. |
Good for one user.
Suitable for businesses with many phone lines. |
3 Key features to look for in a VoIP adapter
1. SIP compatibility
If you are switching from a landline phone system to a VoIP system for the first time, it is best to choose the VoIP adapters recommended by your service provider. You wouldn’t have to worry about the SIP compatibility between the device and the network. However, if you want to add an analogue phone to a running VoIP system, you might want to consider if the chosen VoIP adapter is compatible with your existing VoIP provider. Reach out to their customer service and discuss it with them to choose the best option.
2. Codec support
Look for a VoIP adapter with high-quality codec support. Codecs are algorithms that compress and decompress digital signals into IP packets. The speed of these IP packets travelling from one location to another depends on the bandwidth of your internet connection. For example, a VoIP adapter that supports a G.729 codec will use less bandwidth to transfer data.
3. Security protocols
Security features like real-time transport protocol and encryption will add to the reliability of a VoIP adapter. The more security features a VoIP adapter can provide, the price will increase accordingly.
Should I invest in a new IP phone or a VoIP Adapter?
The answer to this question depends on what hardware you have available and what your needs are. If you own working landline phones and want to save money without buying new IP phones, a VoIP adapter is a great option.
But if you’re starting from scratch (don’t have any landline phones that need to be repurposed), you should invest in an IP phone for your VoIP system. IP phones are made to be used for internet calling via a VoIP system.
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FAQs
Before buying a VoIP adapter for your VoIP system, you must analyse your needs first. Depending on the number of users in your network, you’ll need different types of adapters. As the number of ports increases in a VoIP adapter, so does the price. You can expect to pay anywhere from £20 – £100+.
Yes, you can use a VoIP adapter with your existing internet connection. Make sure your internet connection is stable with the minimum bandwidth requirement of 100 Kbps.
