What is VoIP?
(Voice over Internet Protocol)
VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is a way to make
phone calls using the internet as the transmission method,
rather than a landline. You can make and receive calls from
other VoIP users, mobile users, and people with ordinary
landlines. The integration between any ordinary line and
VoIP is complete and undetectable to callers.
Why use it and who benefits?
Small to medium-sized businesses with several employees,
especially those with distributed offices and teleworkers,
are likely to get the maximum benefit from VoIP. It cuts
your business telephony cost; all calls to other VoIP phone
users are free and other calls are usually competitively
priced.
You can configure your system to give whatever impression
you want to customers. For example, if you have associates
or employees in other areas of the UK or even abroad, you
can give them all extensions on the same number, or their
own numbers with the same area code as your head office.
No-one need know whether you have city centre offices, or a
virtual office!
What will you need?
- A VoIP enabled telephone: This can be an all-in-one
handset, or a normal handset plugged into an adaptor, or
a softphone: a computer program that uses a microphone
and headphones attached to your computer to emulate a
real handset. A good solution is an adaptor, which
allows you to connect one or two handsets, and has the
advantage that you can connect other analogue devices
like fax machines. It also has a number of useful
inbuilt functions, including call waiting, caller ID,
and call back if busy.
- An internet connection: A leased line or ADSL/cable
broadband is ideal; dial-up (ISDN or ordinary telephone
line) or a satellite internet connection will likely
cause a reduction in sound quality. A standard 256Kb
ADSL connection can accommodate 2-3 simultaneous calls;
if you expect to need more frequently, you may wish to
upgrade to a higher-bandwidth package.
- An account with a VoIP service provider: This gives
you a VoIP external number which is what other people
dial to call you.
Calling another VoIP line
Depending on what type of service you are using this
could well be free. For example if you are using skype and
calling anther skype user this would be free. If you are
using this in a business environment then calls to other
users on VoIP systems will be very cheap.
Calling a non-VoIP (standard: landline or mobile) line
When calling from a VoIP line calls to landlines or
mobiles will be charged, however normally they are cheaper
than regular landline calls, but this depends on the service
provider.
What will it cost?
Costs vary from between VoIP service providers. In
general there will be a one off set up charge and monthly
rental per number (for which you will usually receive one
incoming and one outgoing line and a varying number of
internal extensions.) VoIP to VoIP call's are free and
calls to landlines and mobiles can vary across providers but
are usually lower than landline service providers charges.
Some VoIP providers offer monthly all inclusive packages
combining monthly rental charges and unlimited calls. |
