VoIP Technology; From Business to the Home

VoIP technology is a rapidly expanding business. It started somewhat troubled with older data connections often ill equipped to provide stable connections for transferring voice, some companies opted into hybrid systems using both VoIP (voice over internet protocol) and POTS (plain old telephone service) for added security. While hybrid systems are still used in some new implementations, with advancements in internet technology and the way VoIP data is dealt with, VoIP on its own has still become one of the best ways for businesses to manage their communications.

Since it is generally charged on a data amount rather than time connected, the rates for VoIP telecommunications are often much lower than comparative contracts. Also, since VoIP is online, it is not location specific and can be used to make calls abroad at very low rates if not free, again making it an amazingly useful tool for business.

Additional features are often also available for businesses which might not be available otherwise, such as call forwarding and caller IDs, which can be used to greatly improve the outgoing image of smaller businesses and make it easier to contact people in a company by linking their mobile, home and office phones. This can give a great impression for any potential or current clients and help resolve issues, queries or sales faster, without the large costs generally associated with traditional PBX (private branch exchange) systems.

VoIP isn’t just for business however; Skype for example have been providing home VoIP solutions (as well as business) for several years now, and the number of users keeps increasing year on year as their product has developed. Several other companies have also offered home PBX systems providing VoIP connections via data connections, and with the rise of mobile smart phones, VoIP applications are allowing people to use services such as Skype on their mobile devices. This can again be a fantastically useful tool abroad. All that is required is an internet connection via wifi for example, and you can make calls at little to no cost to and from anywhere in the world, fantastic for contacting relatives at home for example, or if you are the move for business.

So, if you’re in the market for a new phone, it might be worth getting a phone with capabilities for VoIP access and looking into using your mobile to make internet calls, it could end up saving you a lot of money, make staying in touch with the office much simpler, or even help you make that sale you’d been hoping for.



The Author works for a company who specialise in hosted phone systems, hosted VoIP and VoIP Solutions