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Why should I change from my normal telephone service to VoIP. What would Voice Over IP Telephony do for me? Why VoIP?
Well, the answer very much depends upon what kind of user you are. The benefits for large corporations ,with extensive networked systems, are different to those for residential users. Lets look at them individually. These benefits are also discussed when we look at the possibilities for the different class of user: residential, or home user, small and medium business users, and corporate user with larger networked systems.
Here we explain why VoIP is useful for all potential users.
The following are reasons why VoIP is a serious option for all types of user:
LOW COST
With VoIP telephony, call routing is via the internet, so there are no expensive routing requirements, such as transatlantic cables, fiber optics or the other requirements for efficient conventional telephone conversation distribution.
Therefore, the cost is restricted to the provision of the hardware and software and the local part of the call costs.
The VoIP providers have to come to agreements with the general communications providers, mainly the internet service providers, and depending on the deals which can be struck, this part of the service can frequently be provided at very low cost, or even free in some cases.
These areas of cost reductions are not only good reasons why VoIP is a viable option, but compelling ones in the current economic climate.
FLEXIBILITY
When you switch to a VoIP service, you get a phone number which identifies your VoIP software which connects your normal phone to the internet.
Since this number identifies the converter, which you can take with you anywhere you go and plug it into any broadband connection, your number travels with you. It is not restricted a particular telephone such as landline phone systems are.
You can use your number to make and receive calls anywhere in the world. A good reason why VoIP is a genuine competitor to even cell phones is that VoIP calls can made from areas where cell phone reception is poor or impossible.
Networks
Most larger business operate network systems. These can be:
* Between departments within a building
* Between countrywide branches, and
* Between international branches, affiliates and associates.
Standard telephony between the individual parts of such networks can be high. With VoIP, however, costs are reduced to a very significant extent. In many cases they are free, apart from the monthly provider costs.
A major reason why VoIP is attractive to corporate companies is that the security can be as tight as they wish: It runs with the security of the network, including password control and user restrictions, and also the operation of encrypted network communications. You can't tap VoIP in the same way as landlines!
SERVICES
Many services which are chargeable options with standard telephony are provided free of charge by VoIP providers. These include:
* Caller ID (name and number)
* Call Waiting
* Voice mail and/or answering services
* Call Divert
* Group pick-up
* Messaging services
* Remote access
and others.
Business can add to their telephone capacity without requiring greater capacity on their system since it is internet driven. No cabling is required. Not only is this a common reason why VoIP is popular with small to medium businesses, but internal calls are free, and world-wide calls between departments and branches are also free when the network is using a common provider.
It is not necessary for a receiver to be using the VoIP system. Calls can be made to standard landlines or mobile cell phones. This is a good reason why VoIP should be considered as the mainstream system for reps, and will be even stronger with the adoption of wireless VoIP telephony.
Why VoIP? It speaks for itself! |
