As defined by Wikipedia, VoIP is the umbrella term used for a family of transmission technologies for the delivery of voice communications over Internet Protocol networks. Internet telephony encompasses communications services such as: voice, facsimile, and voice messaging applications that are transmitted over the Internet.
One of the most important considerations when investigating VoIP as a telecommunications solution is “bandwidth”. The functionality of VoIP phones depends on your Internet connection and bandwidth is the ability to transfer data in a given period of time. There are two types of bandwidth. One is upload bandwidth, which is the amount of data sent to the Internet, and the other is download bandwidth, which is the amount of data received from the Internet. The recommended broadband bandwidth you need varies depending on the size of your business, specifically the number of phone lines your organization has. Ultimately, bandwidth will determine the quality of your sound, so it’s very important to check with your phone system company to ensure you have the right infrastructure.
Another consideration when looking for a VoIP solution is Power over Ethernet (PoE). When locating access points, technicians typically use available AC (alternating current) electrical outlets to base decisions on where to install access points. Some organizations only place access points near AC outlets and within reach of a power cord. Or, they will look for a convenient location to install new outlets at points where it is appropriate to run conduit and mount outlet boxes. PoE solves these problems. It is a solution that requires technicians to run only one Ethernet cable to the access point to supply power and data. The PoE power supply kit detects the presence of powered devices and supplies applicable current to the data cable. Power over Ethernet allows businesses to save money, have flexibility, and most importantly, this solution is more reliable.
Because a VoIP call is basically a packet of data that is transferred over the Internet, your call is subject to potential problems like latency, jitter, and errors. Therefore, your Internet connection and the devices used to connect to the Internet may contribute to lower or higher quality of service (QoS). In other words, things like having the right amount of bandwidth and implementing Power over Ethernet will give you better quality of service.
There are many benefits of having a VoIP telecommunications solution. What:
o Making phone calls is easy and cheap.
o It’s a network that follows you wherever you go, so you’ll never miss a phone call.
o Cheap calling rates
o Value-added services, such as: conferencing, caller ID, incoming/outgoing fax, voice mail and find me, follow me, to name a few.
o You can manage your VoIP network from anywhere in the world if a broadband internet connection is available
Your customers will also benefit. A VoIP system has features found in more expensive products on the market, such as MP3 compatible music on hold and streaming media. And, customers will have shorter wait times because call queues allow your sales team to monitor the queue as they receive incoming calls, so they can shorten calls if needed.
Of course, when making the decision to go for a VoIP solution, you should also consider the following precautions: 1) Broadband phones work by transmitting digital signals over broadband Internet connections, so it is always suggested opt for a high-quality broadband connection. to achieve the best quality with your phone calls, and 2) you should always be ready with a backup power supply in case of a power outage or internet connection failure, as this failure will stop the phones from working broadband.
