Will call quality drop when switching to a cloud telephone system?

Maintaining call quality is often a concern many businesses have when looking at switching to a cloud telephone system. After all, no one wants to go through the expense and downtime of an install only to discover your new system sounds worse to customers and colleagues alike.

However, thanks to advances in cloud telephone technology, notably the development of improved VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) systems, you can rest assured that your call quality is highly unlikely to drop when switching to cloud telephone systems. Not only that, but you’ll be able to access many more features and benefits for your business when switching to cloud phone systems.

Cloud Call Quality

Landline phones are well known for their reliable call quality. Built specifically to carry voices, and with technology developed and advanced over the last 100 years, picking up a landline phone you know you’re going to be able to hear the person well enough on the other end of the line.

However, landline phones are held back by a number of factors. Expensive to maintain, lack of functionality, restrictive locations and limited call options are all hastening the switch away from landlines in favour of cloud business telephone systems and mobiles. Landlines are much less common in business and homes than they were 20 years ago, so switching to cloud telephone systems is a natural progression.

While cloud phone systems use the internet to make calls (using VoIP), which was not originally intended for voice calls, the internet has advanced so much in recent years it can now rival and even outright beat landline services in some cases.

VoIP calls offer excellent call quality, providing the user has adequate broadband. Fortunately, most VoIP calls only require a basic level of broadband (around 10 Mbps) to work effectively, which is the average domestic broadband speed.

Businesses who can access much higher speeds will see even better call quality, with crystal clear audio and no lag or jitter in calls. This is ideal if you’re combining VoIP with video calls, conferencing, or file sharing technology, as you can hear others perfectly and experience the wider benefits of cloud phone systems.

VoIP software can be used on compatible desk phones, mobile phones, and computers with softphone capabilities. You can get quality voice calls from any of these devices, and all you need is a reliable broadband connection.

Call Features and Benefits

As well as offering improved call quality, cloud phone systems have a whole host of additional features that can benefit your business productivity and enhance your customer experience. Cloud phones can offer features including:

• Call recording. Record for quality control, customer feedback, internal learnings and dispute settlement.
• On hold marketing. Relay messages to customers with easy-update on-hold marketing messages.
• Call transfer. Easily switch cloud calls to any compatible device so you can take calls whenever and wherever you need.
• Integrate smart apps. Include and access note taking, video, smart office controls, and file sharing all within one device.
• Automated menu/virtual attendant. Help direct customers and queries quickly to the right place with an automated menu or virtual attendant to speed up queue and hold times.

In addition to the built-in features, cloud phones are well suited for businesses who have a hybrid or remote working model, thanks to their flexibility. They are also cheaper to install and maintain than traditional landlines, with a subscription-based service that means you never have to pay for what you’re not using. Cloud phone systems also come with incorporated security, to help reduce the risk of a cyberattack or data breach coming through your communications.

Ideal for SME businesses, or any business looking to improve their connectivity, productivity, and save money, cloud phone systems offer much more than just improved call quality. If you want to get switching to a smarter way of working, speak to the experts at Enreach and see how they can begin your journey towards cloud communications.