Business gets a new voice

VOIP: WHY IT MAKES SENSE TO USE THIS TECH

A credible alternative to landline and even cellphone communication, it is set to become a market fixture.

Tech disruption is changing business functions as we know them. The latest tech disrupter that is starting to become more accepted is voice over internet protocol (VoIP)

VoIP or IP telephony is telecommunication technology that allows you to make and receive phone calls over local area networks (LANs), or in simple terms, over the internet. This technology is very quickly becoming a credible alternative to landline networks like Telkom, and could in the future rival cellular networks. VoIP has seen much of its success in businesses, though it can also be used in homes.

VoIP has been largely driven by the advancement of internet connectivity; 4G, 5G and fibre-speed connectivity have enabled VoIP to circumvent what was its greatest challenge in the past: unclear, lagging and in most cases loss of connection. Think of a Whatsapp call and how clear it is over a fibre connection as opposed to a 2G connection.

Many experts predict that VoIP is the next best thing in telecommunications, simply because it doesn’t require its own underground or street pole cabling as landlines do. That means the cost of rolling out VoIP is a fraction of landline infrastructure. VoIP piggybacks off whatever internet connection is available and that’s why even Telkom has entered into the VoIP market.

Small business use

From a small business perspective, it makes sense to opt for VoIP. The general concensus among experts is that VoIP has a lower overall cost than landlines.

This is especially true when compared with private branch exchange (PBX) – an on-premises physical piece of hardware that connects multiple landline phones in an office. These hardware devices are extremely costly, but necessary if a business wants multiple lines that all connect from the reception.

VoIP, on the other hand, does away with onsite PBX hardware, by providing the same service online. The cost is absorbed by the service provider through cloud storage and other web-based tools.

These calls are generally much cheaper than others

What about calling rates?

VoIP calling rates are generally cheaper, however, different VoIP service providers have different rates and the final bill comes down to your call usage. VoIP also has the added advantage of low recurring monthly costs, such as maintenance and repairs, due to cloud-based solutions that are not your responsibility to maintain or fix.

Finally, VoIP has the convenient advantage of remote access from wherever you are. Some companies even opt to use their cellphones as receivers of VoIP instead of office devices. This allows them to receive and make calls away from the office.