Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) solutions may sound technical but, they’re just like a standard telephone system, they instead use an internet connection to transport voice data. As the traditional analogue phone system is being discontinued in the UK in 2025, VoIP will become the sole phone system available.
SO, WHAT IS VOIP?
VoIP is a communication protocol. Standard phone calls are made on the existing analogue telephone infrastructure, but VoIP calls are made using internet.
The UK is set to discontinue current analogue public phone system networks (PSTN) by 2025 in homes and businesses.
Practically, a VoIP phone system was first used by businesses to save money on long-distance phone calls but has now evolved to suit technology on a wider scale. The benefits to VoIP are clear when compared to alternatives, and to support you in your decision-making, we’ve created a handy business telephony checklist in a previous blog.
WHAT DO I NEED TO USE A VOIP SYSTEM?
Fortunately, most of the equipment you’ll need for a VoIP phone system is readily available in most office environments. You will need:
- Broadband connection – Ideally, the faster the better. Don’t think your broadband is up to scratch? Did you know we offer a wide range of broadband solutions to suit all budgets and businesses? Get in touch today for a quote.
- Modem – You’ll need a modem to convert the analogue signals from your internet service provider (ISP) into digital signals that your devices can understand.
- VoIP or PBX system
ANOTHER ACRONYM! WHAT IS A PBX SYSTEM?
PBX stands for Private Branch Exchange. It’s a telephone switchboard system that allows calls to easily be transferred around an organisation without the need for multiple lines for each phone.
There are two types of PBX systems; a hosted IP PBX system, which is located on a server. This is useful when you want a flexible system for your company and will allow you to integrate third-party solutions when you require them.
The other is a managed IP PBX. This is where the PBX box is located and installed on your premises. This costs more but grants you more control in the long term.
HOW MANY VOIP LINES CAN I HAVE?
You can have as many phone lines as you want. Your only restriction is the speed of your broadband. If your broadband speed is slower than your local average, we offer business broadband packages that can boost you back up to standard, superfast speeds.
HOW WILL MY PHONE NUMBERS WORK?
With a VoIP phone, your numbers work like magic. Your phone numbers could represent a person or group of people, instead of each device having its own number.
You can easily bring your phone systems together, for example, you could assign your landline office phone and your mobile phone with the same number, so no matter where you are you’ll stay connected with your team, suppliers and customers.
WHAT INTERNET SPEED DO I NEED FOR VOIP?
The faster the better, but we recommend at least 200kbps for each phone system you plan to run on your network.
DO YOU NEED TO SEND SOMEONE OUT TO INSTALL?
You may want a technician to install a particularly large or complex VoIP system to save you the hassle and headache. We do offer plug-and-play Cloud VoIP systems, which most companies find works great for them.
IS VOIP SECURE?
VoIP systems are as safe as your computer network. If your network is up-to-date and high quality, your VoIP system will be too.
If you are unsure about your network security, we provide a security service package, supported by one of our experts.
WHAT FEATURES COME WITH YOUR VOIP PHONE SYSTEM?
Our VoIP phone system comes complete with a range of features, whether you need to boost your communications or integrate seamlessly with your other systems.
- Call recording – Resolve disputes with customers or review staff calls for training and monitoring purposes easily.
- Softphone – Turn your computer into an extension of your phone with a softphone. This is a powerful piece of software that allows you to receive calls straight to your PC, without having to juggle multiple devices.
- Mobile apps – Our HD Touch comes with an Android system, similar to a smartphone. It offers a wide range of mobile apps that you can quickly download.
- Video conferencing – Improve your internal and external comms game, and free up a screen with crisp, clear HD video conferencing, straight to your landline.
- Call reporting – Missed a sales call? Want to find out who is making the most calls in your team? Easily track your calling insights at a glance in the reporting dashboard.
- Flexibility to work from home – Your VoIP phone works on a wide range of platforms and devices. Keep communication continuity, no matter where you are.
- On-hold advertising – Why not inform a current customer of your products and services whilst they’re on hold? You can also use on-hold messaging to answer frequently asked questions, freeing up phone operators.
- CRM integration – See vital information about your customers as they dial, update details on the fly and brief yourself without annoying delay.
- Virtual receptionist – You don’t need a dedicated person to redirect calls to the correct department. Let an automated virtual receptionist do the legwork for you!
- Admin portal – Manage your phone system remotely without needing to contact your phone provider. Amend your phone numbers, add additional members of staff and send your staff’s voicemails to their email addresses, all without needing technical IT skills.
- DDIs – Enable your business to make use of a main switchboard along with business phone numbers for individual staff members and departments. Related use cases have been discussed previously in this blog on direct dial ins.
Need some more information on VoIP? Or just want some free and impartial advice? Chat to us instantly via our live chat bot, call us on 0333 3603 723, or send us an email at enquiries.uk@enreach.com.