Voice Over IP Systems: Everything You Need to Know
VoIP Basics for Business
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is the transmission of phone calls over the Internet instead of using traditional telephone landlines.
Among other things, VoIP enables businesses to:
- Reduce and consolidate IT infrastructure
- Eliminate the need for traditional phone lines
- Save as much as 60-70% on phone bills
- Enjoy advanced phone system features
How Does VoIP Work?
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is the process of turning analog audio signal into digital “packets” that can then be sent across your Local Area Network (LAN) or Wide Area Network (WAN) using the Internet Protocol (IP). This means VoIP phone services can be accessed from your computer, on your mobile device, or from a desk phone.
Simply put, VoIP enables you to make a phone call in much the same way as you would send an email.
When you connect your VoIP phones and your VoIP service provider to the VoIP PBX, you’ll probably use HD IP phones to communicate. A VoIP phone system uses IP technology to handle your call control and manage your connections to the WAN.
Even though a VoIP phone system uses VoIP and is connected to your LAN, most systems can connect directly to the Publicly Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). This gives you the ability to use both VoIP and the PSTN for your calling.
VoIP Protocols and Codecs
A VoIP protocol determines how your voice packet is transported across a network. Most VoIP phones will typically support one protocol.
One of the most popular VoIP protocols is SIP (Session Initiation Protocol). SIP is a standards-based protocol that is used and supported by the vast majority of VoIP phone systems and services.
A voice codec is responsible for the conversion of your analog voice stream into a digital packet. Voice codecs also determine sound quality and bandwidth required to send the packet. A VoIP phone typically supports multiple voice codecs.
The most common voice codecs are:
- GSM - 13 Kbps
- iLBC - 15 Kbps
- G.711 - 64 Kbps
- G.722 - 48/56/64 Kbps
- G.726 - 16/24/32/40 Kbps
- G.728 - 16 Kbps
- G.729 - 8 Kbps
Get our free guide to help diagnose your network’s readiness for VoIP and Unified Communications.
Benefits of Voice Over IP Systems
Cost Savings
Mobility
Many VoIP providers offer softphones, which are essentially mobile applications that allow you to use your business phone from your mobile device.
Better Internal Communication
Features such as status indicators allow team members to see who’s available and who’s not, while chat features allow direct and instant lines of communication among your team.
Scalability
Better Connectivity
VoIP phone systems offer features like Find Me, Follow Me, voicemail to email, and conferencing to enhance collaboration among multiple office locations and remote workers.
Better Data and Caller Insight
VoIP phone systems can integrate calls with a business’s customer relationship management software (CRM), allowing better insights into customer needs, purchases, and concerns.
Flexibility
VoIP phone systems can be very flexible and grow with your organization. For rapidly expanding businesses, resources can often be added or reduced to simplify transitions.
Better Call Routing and Screening
VoIP phone systems have the capability to use auto attendants to answer and route calls to the appropriate location, saving time and money while making business appear more professional and attentive.
How Much Does a VoIP System Cost?
One of the main benefits of VoIP phone systems is their affordability, but the actual price of a VoIP phone system depends on how you use (or deploy) it.
On-Premise VoIP Systems
An on-premise VoIP phone system is what you might picture when you think of a traditional business phone system. They include on-site hardware and IP phones, as well as any other necessary equipment to connect to your VoIP network.
On-premise VoIP system solutions are great for businesses that expect their communication needs to remain relatively stable in the near future and are ready to make an upfront investment.
The main advantages of on-premise VoIP phone systems are stability, quality, and capability. Because you’re operating off dedicated equipment that is on-site, on-premise VoIP solutions tend to be capable of offering more reliable service and better quality – even at higher volumes.
Hosted/Cloud-based VoIP System
