Mobility

Obviously, the No. 1 advantage mobile phones have over stationary phones is that they can go with the user wherever they are. That means fewer voicemails to be checked. It also means easier access to the employee, from clients and bosses. This can help foster a more efficient workplace, where tasks left on voicemail don’t slip through the cracks, and where clients can talk to their representative one-on-one, no matter where he’s currently stationed.

Data On The Go

Mobile solutions are expensive not only because they provide mobility, but also because they provide more services than a landline or VoIP carrier. That is, they provide data and messaging services on top of the standard voice options. This means employees can access information from wherever they are, making for a more flexible work environment.

The BlackBerry has long been considered the best smartphone for businesses. It contains a world-class messaging system, which will keep all mobile employees connected to their email at all times. It also has a high-quality web browser, a big upgrade from older BlackBerry models, and applications that can help a mobile worker do her job more efficiently. There are even apps that allow employees to access their office computers, making mobile life even easier.

Always-On Connection

One of the advantages landlines have over VoIP solutions is connectivity. If power goes out in the office, so goes a VoIP connection. The same goes for the internet connection. Every so often everyone experiences an issue with their internet connection. For VoIP customers, this means problems with the phone lines. Some businesses just can’t afford this type of inconvenience. It can cost them time, and therefore money.

Mobile phone connections are essentially always on. There need be only a few bars of reception for an employee to access basic voice and messaging services. While signal-less areas do pose a problem, there are far fewer of them now than there were even two years ago. Most of America is blanketed with cellular network signal, and with all of the roaming agreements between carriers it’s sometimes tough to find an area that has no service.

The Rub: Price

The three above-mentioned features don’t come for free. The added convenience necessarily means a higher price on those services. On our VoIP comparison you can see plans for as little as $7 per month. Even the most expensive ones are $20 per month. Cell phone plans will cost more than double that — maybe even triple, depending on what services you require. Many cell phone carriers work with businesses to provide custom solutions that help keep costs down. But where you pay $20 for VoIP service, you might end up paying $80 per month for a single employee’s smartphone, and that doesn’t even cover the cost of the smartphone itself.

As with the VoiP vs. landlines debate, the VoIP vs. cell phones debate comes down to each business’s unique needs. For some businesses, the extra cost of mobile phones is a mere investment. They can recoup it with the added work its employees can handle. For others, though, it’s an unnecessary cost that will negatively affect the bottom line. Choose with care.

a

What’s Best for Your Business: VoIP or Unlimited Cellular?

a

What’s Best for Your Business: VoIP or Unlimited Cellular?

In any case, the telephone has been around for more than one hundred years, and has really changed very little during that time. Traditional telephony first made way for cellular technology, and more recently, for Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).

When setting up your small business, one of the most important choices you must make is what type of phone service to use. Many people are choosing to go completely cellular, forgoing landlines altogether. That’s fine for personal use. But you probably won’t be taking part in any conference calls at home, and it wouldn’t impress your clients if you couldn’t get a wireless signal. You need to find reliable conference call services so you can be available when your clients need you. When it comes to your business phones, the realistic choices are landlines and VoIP. Which one should you go with?

The first step in making that choice is to understand what VoIP is. Everyone knows how a telephone works. You call the phone company, they turn on the phone line, you plug your phone into the wall, and you can start making calls. Ok, it’s a little more complicated than that, but there’s not need to get into all the technical details. But how does VoIP differ from traditional phone service? Basically, rather than making and accepting calls over traditional phone lines, your calls are transmitted via the Internet. Rather than plugging your phone directly into the wall, you plug it into a VoIp adapter, which is connected to your computer. You still use your phone the way you always have, but your calls are traveling over Internet lines rather than phone lines.

It’s still a bit more technical than that, so to make the best choice for your business needs, it might help to learn some advantages and disadvantages to both landlines and VoIP.

Advantages of landlines

Traditional telephone technology has been around much longer than VoIP. Phone companies have a well established infrastructure, and the resources to quickly correct problems when they arise.

Regular telephones connect directly to phone lines. Because there is no need for electricity, they will work even during a power outage.

According to an independent study, landline phones work 99.9% of the time, making them still the most reliable phones available.

Disadvantages of landlines

Service providers may charge extra for features such as caller ID, call waiting, and call forwarding.

While directory assistance is readily available, most phone companies charge for the service.

Advantages of VoIP

It’s less expensive because the voice signals travel over the Internet. Internet connections are established most often via cable networks. Though less frequently nowadays, Internet connections may also exist via DSL or dialup, both of which use phone lines. The cost for VoIP is lower because the signal conveyance method already exists.

Many VoIP providers offer extra features such as call waiting, caller ID, and call forwarding at no extra charge.

Disadvantages of VoIP

If your Internet connection is down, your phone is down. Not all VoIP services require your computer to be on to make calls, but they do all require that your Internet connection be active. If for any reason you lose your Internet connection, you also lose your ability to make and receive calls.

VoIP service is not as reliable as traditional phone service, dropping more calls on average. This can produce problems that range from general annoyance when you’re chatting with a friend, to being detrimental to your business if it happens during a conference call with your client.

Many VoIP services do not work with the 9-1-1 emergency services network. If the service you choose doesn’t connect directly to this service, it’s a good idea to have another phone as a backup.

Not all VoIP providers offer directory assistance.

Some VoIP services don’t work if the power goes out. This is because while your computer may not have to be on for VoIP to work, your phone must still be connected to your Internet modem, which requires electricity to function.

Whether you choose traditional phone service or go with VoIP will really come down to what your specific needs are, and what features are most important to you and your business.

a

Landlines vs. VoIP – Which is better for your business?

a

Landlines vs. VoIP – Which is better for your business?

What is VOIP anyway? VOIP is an acronym that stands for Voice Over Internet Protocol. What does that mean? There are plenty of technical manuals that you can read that will spell out the specifics of audio protocol and data storage, but the basics are these: VOIP takes analog audio signals (the same signals sent via telephone wire) and turns them into digital data which is then sent over the internet to another converter that turns the signal back into an analog signal and delivers it to the person you are talking to. This is how VOIP users can talk on the phone to people who are not VOIP users. The digital signal takes up less space than the analog, which means the communication happens faster than it does during regular phone calls.

What are my VOIP options?

When it comes to using VOIP there are a few user options available. Many people choose a device called an ATA (analog telephone adaptor). This is a device that acts as a translator between your regular telephone and your internet connection. You simply plug one end into your phone and the other into your internet source and then continue making calls as usual! Another option for people who want to switch to VOIP is an IP Phone. The IP Phone looks exactly like a regular phone but it connects to your internet router with an Ethernet cable. Finally, for those who don’t want to bother with special equipment, VOIP calls can be sent from computer to computer. This is the easiest way to use the technology and it is definitely the cheapest option. All you need is a microphone, speakers and a sound card and you can chat away!

What are the Cost Advantages to VOIP?

With the economy spiraling out of control, it is completely understandable that your household budget is under some scrutiny. The fact is, VOIP is quite a bit cheaper than most of the “regular” phone and calling plans that are available. In fact, in some cases, VOIP service is free for those who choose to make calls with their computers!

Even for those people who want to keep using their regular telephones (or an IP phone) VOIP is definitely more cost effective than most of your traditional phone services. In fact, if you have a broadband connection to the internet, you can eliminate your home phone line completely! Many of the services that come in your VOIP package are “extras” on a traditional phone service. Even better, you can access your VOIP from anywhere with your computer, which means you can cut down on the amount of time you spend on your cell phone while you are traveling. International calling is also much less expensive with VOIP than a regular phone line. If you make international calls on a regular basis, using VOIP could save you hundreds of dollars!

3 Hints to Help You Choose a VOIP Service

So now that you know how great VOIP service is, and how much better it is than traditional phone service, how do you choose a service? Here are some hints to help you chose the VOIP service that best meets your needs:

1. First, ask yourself what you need the most from your VOIP provider. There are plenty of companies out there that will try to “wow” you with extra features, but they might not have the features you actually need. What is most important to you? The best way to figure this out is to ask yourself why, exactly, you are choosing to use VOIP instead of traditional phone service.

2. Do your research. Do a search on each company you are thinking about using. Look for independent reviews of their services. Contact the better business bureau to find out if there have been any complaints made about the company.

3. Look into its 911 service. The better companies will have their 911 switchboards fully staffed and operational. The 911 dispatch offered by VOIP has had a few kinks to work out, so make sure that the company you want to use has a 911 dispatch that can truly help you if you ever encounter an emergency.

What about Porting Your Phone Number to Your VOIP Service?

Does switching to VOIP mean that you have to change your phone number? Not necessarily! Each VOIP service provider has different rules and methods for porting a phone number from a “regular” service to a VOIP service. Check with your chosen VOIP provider before signing up to make sure that the porting process goes smoothly.

The only problem most people have encountered is when they port their phone number to one VOIP service and then try to port the number to a different VOIP service. In fact, it is much better to port your traditional phone service phone number to your VOIP service than to get a new, VOIP-provided, phone number. This is because you don’t own VOIP phone numbers the way you do traditional phone numbers. Legally, a “regular” phone number belongs to you, but you need to make sure you are aware of the laws regarding porting a telephone number in your area and check with your VOIP providers before switching services.

How do VOIP Costs Compare to Current Phone Service Providers?

In terms of home phone service, unlimited long distance within the Continental US, here are the lowest rates offered the major VOIP providers:

Vonage: $14.99
Via Talk: $9.95
Zingotel: $19.95
Joi Phone: $17.95
VOIP: does not offer unlimited calling within the Continental U.S.

Here are the same costs from the major regular phone service providers. These are the monthly rates offered via each company’s website. Make sure to check your local providers for discounts that might be available in your area.

AT&T: $32.99
Cincinnati Bell: $39.99
Qwest: $20.00 added on to whichever local calling plan you choose
Comcast: $29.99
Verizon: $49.99

Traditional service is quite a bit more expensive than VOIP service!

In the end VOIP is the next generation in telephone service. With more and more people switching over to communicating via the internet (e-mail, instant messaging, video chat, etc); VOIP is the next natural step! After all, why pay for separate internet and phone lines when you can simply hook your phone up to your internet connection? You don’t have to worry about changing phone numbers as most VOIP providers will import your current number. VOIP providers also offer plenty of other additional features like money back guarantees, call waiting, voice mail, call forwarding etc. Of course, probably the best benefit of using VOIP is the money you’ll save every month!

a

The Power of VoIP

a

The Power of VoIP

Needed Equipment

Some services work via your computer (while you utilize a microphone, speakers and/or special headset), some work by utilizing a special VOIP phone and others allow you to use a traditional phone that has an adaptor in place. Be sure to decide what way you wish to be able to use your Internet telephony service before choosing a provider who may not offer your method of choice.

One thing that is needed to access any VOIP service is a broadband Internet connection. However, the person you are calling does not need to have a broadband connection or any special equipment. It is only the person dialing out via the broadband phone service who needs it.

Advantages of VOIP Service

• VOIP is a digital service and therefore it may offer features and options that you cannot get with traditional phone service.

• If you already have a broadband Internet connection, you could eliminate your traditional phone line altogether and thus eliminate its cost.

• Some VOIP services charge flat rates per month while allowing you to call International locations at no extra charge. If you make frequent International calls, this could be a huge source of savings.

• Some VOIP services can be used while traveling, cutting down on overage minutes you may have incurred by using your cell phone for more minutes than your plan provided.

Potential Disadvantages of VOIP Service

• Some VOIP services may not work during power failures and if they don’t have a backup power source, that could leave you without a phone.

• VOIP could have potential issues in either connecting to 911, or allowing 911 to pinpoint your location without additional information from the calling party.

• VOIP providers may or may not have an agreement to be able to have their customer’s phone numbers listed in the white pages.

• If your broadband Internet connection goes down, you would be without your broadband phone service until it is restored.

Choosing a VOIP Provider or Broadband Phone Service

Choosing a VOIP provider doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Check below for a few tips to keep in mind when selecting a service provider. If you need more information about the different options for utilizing Internet telephony services, check out our voice over Internet protocol facts page.

Things to check into:

• If you make a lot of International calls – not including Canada – then you will want to check the provider’s rates for the countries you call and/or see if they have a flat rate International plan.

• If you plan to replace your current local phone service with broadband phone service, check on the status of backup power from your provider.

• Check to see if contracts or early termination fees exist.

• Know your calling patterns and choose the plan that is the best fit for your personal needs.

• Before you start reading the provider websites, brush up on your knowledge of VOIP terms so that you know and understand what you’re reading before you make a decision.

Other Frequently Asked Questions about VoIP

Does my computer have to be on to use it?

If you are making calls via your regular phone by utilizing an adaptor or through a special VOIP phone, your computer does not need to be turned on. If you make the calls through your computer using a microphone and speakers (or headset combo) then your computer will need to be turned on.

How do I know when a call is coming in?

The phone will ring the same as it does for any other call. If you are using your computer to make and receive calls, you will hear the ring come from your computer as long as you are logged into your VOIP network.

Is Internet Voice regulated by the Federal Communications Commission?

The role of the FCC in Internet telephony is far from firmly decided. Entirely Internet based service is considered to be an unregulated information service.

How do I know what all these acronyms mean?

If you’re confused when browsing plans and information about terms like POTS, SIC, MOS and more, you can check out our Internet telephony glossary.

How do I find an Internet Voice provider?

You can browse a list of recommended broadband phone service and VOIP provider companies here on our site to get general information and find links to the best broadband phone deals on the Internet.

a

VoIP Facts and Information

a

VoIP Facts and Information

Auto Attendant
This acts as an automated receptionist. Calls made to a certain number will reach a greeting asking which extension number they wish to reach. When the caller enters an extension number, the call is transferred to it. Common term for business VoIP users.

Call Duration
The interval of time between when you take the phone off the hook and when you hang it back up.

Call Hunting
Calling feature made for inbound calls that skip past a busy signal, trying several numbers until the call is answered by the person they are dialing.

Call Setup Time
The amount of time needed to establish a circuit switched call between users. This is measured in second increments.

Clipping
When a loss of speech-signal components occurs that results in initial or end parts of words being dropped. This loss of signal can also occur when two people try to talk at the same exact time.

C-Message Noise
A noise delivered on a channel (or circuit) with a termination, but no signal at the transmitting end as measured through a C-Message filter.

Codec
An algorithm of compression/decompressions that is used for IP telephony and other forms of streaming media.

CTI – Computer Telephony Integration
A reference to telephone systems that are utilizing computer technology.

Dial Tone Delay
The time it takes for you to hear a dial tone from when the phone is first taken off the hook. This time is measured in millisecond increments.

Direct Inward Dialing
This allows incoming calls from a public switched telephone network to reach a specific private network extension (PBX) being used by a business without needing human intervention.

DTMF – Dual Tone Multi Frequency
This is the system set up used by touch tone telephones. DTMF assigns a specific frequency to each key to make it easily identifiable by a microprocessor.

Echo Path Delay
The lapse of time between a transmitted signal and its reflection.

Echo Path Loss
The difference in signal strength occurring between a transmitted signal and its reflection. Echo path loss is dependent upon echo path delay.

Follow Me
A feature that allows your phone calls to follow you by ringing a series of numbers and moving onto the next after a set amount of rings until it finds the phone you are near and answer.

Frame Mutes
The number of and the length of time prolonged clipping events occur during a call where the damaged surface signal goes close to zero. The ratio of frame mutes to overall clipping occurrences is shown by the Frame Muting Ratio indicator.

Gateway
A network device that changes voice and fax calls in real time from the public switched phone network to an IP network.

High Availability
Devices or deployment strategies made to provide access to a fully functioning system during any time of day or night.

IETF – Internet Engineering Task Force
A consortium that was established to standardize and promote the standardization of newer Internet techniques such as VoIP.

IVR – Interactive Voice Response
A type of technology that allows a human caller to interact directly with a database without needing to use human assistance. Telephone banking is an example of IVR based technology.

MGCP – Media Gateway Control Protocol
The standard recognized by the IETF for converting voice signals sent over the public switched telephone network to data packets that can be sent out over the Internet.

MOS – Mean Opinion Score
The measurement of quality of human speech on a network shown as a rating index.

PBX – Private Branch Exchange
A telephone network for the private use of a business or enterprise. By utilizing PBX systems, groups of users can share outside lines and use phone features like call forwarding service.

Post Dial Delay
The amount of time between when the person making a call presses the last digit of a phone number and when the phone on the other end starts to ring. Otherwise referred to as user routing speed.

POTS – Plain Old Telephone Service
The phone service by regular phone companies that has been around as long as you can remember.

Protocol
Established rule for communications between computer systems and multiple devices.

PSTN – Public Switched Telephone Network
The different carriers that make up the world telephone network. Including local carriers, long distance carriers and international carriers.

QOS – Quality of Service
The ability of a VoIP network to deliver calls with a minimum delay and have a maximum availability to network users.

Ring Groups
Acts as a rotation if inbound calls. A group of local extensions that ring in unison so that when calls are made to the group number, any available person in the group can pick up the call.

RTP – Real Time Transport Protocol
The Internet protocol used by IP telephony systems and companies to stream voice and video.

SIP – Session Initiation Protocol
The IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force) standard for starting, maintaining and ending a user session involving video, voice, chat, virtual reality, gaming networks, etc.

Speech Power
The measurement of the amount of strength in a received voice signal.

VOIP – Voice over Internet Protocol
The act of sending or receiving voice transmissions (i.e. calls) over an IP (Internet Protocol) network. Also know as Internet Telephony.

Wideband Noise
Noise level that is measured on a wideband IP channel when a signal is absent from the connection.

a

Glossary of VoIP Terms

a

Glossary of VoIP Terms