VoIP Telephony

VoIP, short for Voice over Internet Protocol, is a widely recognized term for phone service delivered over the Internet.

This service relies on a stable Internet connection to provide phone services, bypassing the need for a traditional phone company.

Communication over IP network or internet significantly lowers rates of phone calls and is far cheaper compared with landline calls or traditional ISN services. VOIP service providers usually offer lower rates than traditional phone companies.

Flexibility of VoIP services allows you to work in a remote location using your office extension as long as you have an internet connection or 4G signal via your mobile handset.

ISDN: The Original High-Speed Internet Service from Traditional Telephony Providers

Integrated Service Digital Network (ISDN) was the pioneering high-speed internet service initially provided by traditional telephony companies.

Although ISDN internet service still exists, it is no longer available for purchase through BT or Virgin. Furthermore, all existing ISDN services will reach their end of support in 2025.

The future of telephony lies in SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) or internet-based phone lines, which will replace all ISDN services.

A SIP channel or trunk refers to an internet-based communication channel that has the capacity to handle both incoming and outgoing voice traffic, including phone calls. Within a SIP trunk, there are multiple channels, and each of these channels acts as a virtual version of a telephone line. The number of channels required is determined by the number of concurrent calls a business needs to make at any given time.

Absolutely, scalability is a significant advantage of using a VoIP phone system.

Since VoIP phone systems are hosted in the cloud, upgrading and expanding are straightforward processes. There is no requirement for expensive infrastructure upgrades, making it hassle-free and cost-effective. Essentially, you can easily scale your company’s phone system to accommodate an almost unlimited number of users or locations as your business grows. This flexibility and ease of scalability make VoIP an attractive option for businesses of all sizes.

The call quality of cloud communications systems is contingent on the speed and reliability of your internet connection.

Compared to traditional landlines, cloud-based communications offer a remarkable improvement in call quality. Landlines are limited in their audio bandwidth, often leading to muffled or fuzzy calls. In contrast, VoIP calls utilize HD Voice technology, ensuring clearer and more defined audio.

The number of HD Voice calls your system can support depends on the speed of your internet connection, both for download and upload. The faster your internet speed, the more HD Voice calls VoIP can accommodate effectively.

A virtual number is a telephone number that is not directly tied to a specific person or business. It serves as an intermediary number that can be used for various purposes, including tracking response rates from specific marketing campaigns.

One of the benefits of virtual phone numbers is that they are particularly useful for long-distance callers. They can dial a local virtual number, which appears familiar to them, and this number will efficiently route their call to your team, regardless of the actual physical location. This enhances accessibility and ensures that customers from different regions can easily reach your business.

If you use a VoIP app on your computer to make calls, then your computer needs to be connected to the internet. However, if you have a VoIP-enabled phone or smartphone, your computer doesn’t necessarily need to be connected to place calls. As long as you have internet access on your phone or VoIP-enabled device, you can make and receive calls.

Additionally, you have the option to forward calls to any other phone you possess. Callers will be seamlessly redirected to the forwarded number without being aware of the change, providing you with flexibility and convenience in managing your calls.

To discover the owner of a VoIP number, you have a few options, as in most cases, the Caller ID, not the phone number, is displayed on the screen.

One method is to use a reverse phone lookup service, which can trace the number’s owner.

Another option is to reach out to your VoIP provider for assistance in identifying the caller. Take note of the call’s time and the displayed Caller ID on your screen. Provide this information to your VoIP provider, and they should be able to offer insights into the call’s origin, assuming the user has a registered Caller ID or IP address.

VoIP calls are conducted over the Internet, making local calls free and unlimited once you subscribe to a VoIP service.

However, it’s important to note that international VoIP calling and VoIP toll-free calling are not free.

While some free VoIP providers, such as Google Voice, exist, they often offer limited features and are primarily designed for individual use. For more comprehensive features and capabilities, a dedicated VoIP service is recommended.