Understanding VoIP Phone Systems
Posted by Jason Weeks on Tue, Jan 31, 2012 @ 04:43 PM
Understanding VoIP Phone Services
What is VoIP?
VoIP stands for “Voice Over Internet Protocol”, which is a technology that allows you to make phone calls using your Broadband Internet connection instead of your regular phone service. It is also referred to as Voice over IP, Broadband Phone and Internet phone service.
Requirements: High Speed Internet connection, such as DSL or cable, as the service is based on broadband Internet communication. VoIP requires a speed of up to 90Kbps depending on the voice compression algorithm chosen by the service provider.
Benefits of VoIP?
One low monthly fee covers all of your phone calls.
There are no unexplained taxes or regulatory fees. You know the ones on your current bill that nobody understands and your local phone provider can’t explain. No taxes are charged for Internet based phone calls which is one reason why the service is so much cheaper.
Long distance and international calling are much cheaper. The Internet does not care whether you’re calling someone who lives a mile away or a co-worker in China. This is why the VoIP service providers can give you such great rates for long distance and international calls.
Features of VoIP?
Store Incoming/Outgoing calls
Send calls directly to Voicemail, receiving VM notifications in Email to listen to from anywhere
3-Way calling
Caller ID, Call Forwarding
There are many other great options that VoIP can offer you and your Business, you should contact your provider for a full list of features
Disadvantages of using VoIP?
The biggest disadvantage that skeptics will throw at you is what happens when your power goes out? You lose your connection. You see VoIP relies on having a broadband connection so if that goes down so does your Internet phone service.
Another option that many people go for is to have a cheap regular local phone service to use just on those rare occasions when you lose your power or broadband connection.
Looking for a new phone system or looking to upgrade your existing? Give us a call for a free quote!
WesTec Services, A Houston IT provider that offers a wide range of services including: Network Installation/Service, Telephone Systems/Service, Video Surveillance/Access Control and Office Equipment
CALL TODAY at (713) 682-4000
