Forget about the days when your company spent a lot of money on long-distance phone calls to clients and partners. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology now allows you to place and receive calls for free or for a minimal fee. Find out the various options for individual users and business owners alike by reading on.
There’s a VoIP service perfect for every business setup. Do you rarely leave your house and office, or are you usually on the move? If you’re a business owner, what’s the size of your company, and what factors matter most to you? Let’s take a look at some of the VoIP services available on the market to help you make a better decision regarding your means of telephony.
Residential VoIP services
For this type of VoIP, you use an adapter to connect your landline phone to a Wi-Fi modem to make and receive calls over the internet. Depending on the plan you choose, you’ll be billed each month for either unlimited services or for minutes you actually use. Examples of this include VoIP.com and Lingo.
Device-based VoIP services
This involves purchasing a VoIP device from a service provider and plugging it into your existing phone set so that you can make free calls within the United States. This means not having to pay a monthly bill, and you need no other devices besides your old landline telephone. Solutions like MagicJack and Ooma are great examples of device-based VoIP services that allow you to maximize the technology you already have.
Software-based VoIP services
This is the most common type of VoIP, and many of us already use it on a daily basis. You either access a web-based application, or install its software on your computer. Then you use your computer’s audio input and output device to talk and listen. A well-known example of this is Skype.
Mobile VoIP services
Like software-based VoIP services, mobile VoIP is also an application. However, it is installed on mobile phones instead of computers, thus enabling you to make and receive calls no matter where you are as long as you have a good internet connection. Three of the most familiar mobile VoIP services are Skype, WhatsApp, and Google Hangouts.
Business VoIP services
VoIP for business can either be on-premises or cloud-based. Both provide much more cost-effective communication solutions than traditional landlines, and they also offer a variety of useful features for businesses. These include video and audio conferencing, screen sharing, interactive voice response, automated attendants, call queues, and call reports. Not only are these features scalable, but you’ll also get complete technical support when you sign up for them.
For on-premises VoIP systems, businesses need to purchase all the equipment and house them in their property. This alone requires huge capital expenses. And on top of it, businesses also have to pay fees for system maintenance, repair, and upgrade on a regular basis. The upside is you’ll have total control over your hardware.
On the other hand, when you choose cloud-based VoIP systems, you outsource the phone system to your VoIP provider. This means there’s no need to purchase hardware or invest in maintaining the systems; your provider will take care of everything for a fixed monthly fee. You can also add or remove users easily. The downside is that you’re not in total control of the hardware, and you need to rely on your provider’s expertise to ensure system reliability and security.
Want more detailed information about VoIP to help you choose the most suitable VoIP provider? Talk to our professionals today. They have extensive knowledge about this efficient, low-cost communication technology and can explain everything to you in plain English!