Is VoIP or Landline (SOPS) System Better for Your Business?
Most businesses find it challenging to decide the type of phone system to install. This is not helped by the fact that most of the available alternatives have both their advantages and disadvantages. Businesses mostly choose between Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP, and landline phone systems.
In most cases, the type of phone system selected affects the business one way or the other. If a system is too expensive and inefficient, its overall effect on the business could be catastrophic. On the other hand, the selected phone system could be reliable and cheap and beneficial to the business.
In their decision making, what plays the most prominent role in what type of phone system to adopt is the system’s cost-effectiveness, functionality internet speed, and reliability.
Not surprisingly, the two most common phone systems, VoIP and Landline, offer some of the required features. While VoIP comes with greater flexibility, useful old landlines remain relevant because of their reliability and consistency in delivering quality. We will explain both systems in detail and why we think they should be given a thought.
Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP)
The VoIP is a communication tool that allows phone calls to be made using an internet connection. VoIP is contrasted with traditional analog phone lines that use wires or optical fibers to create calls. A VoIP package comes with hardware and software tools. In some cases, they are deployed through traditional phones, smartphone apps, computer software, or specific VoIP-enabled phones. The distinguishing factor is the fact that VoIP calls require an internet connection. VoIP is sometimes referred to as internet calling or voice over network telephony.
How VoIP Works
VoIP breaks voice into digital packet sand sends these packets to the intended recipients. The packets are in the form of an email and are assembled once they get to the intended destination. All of this happens over the internet. Once, anyone has a reliable internet connection, VOIP calls can be made with the help of a computer, a smartphone, and a phone and VoIP adapter
- On the computer system are many applications, downloadable from the operating system’s online store, that can facilitate voice calls over the internet. Prominent examples include Skype, Google Voice, and Apple FaceTime. These applications are collectively referred to as softphones.
- Smartphones come with mobile stores that are replete with ubiquitous VoIP applications such as Zoom, Google Voice, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Skype. All of these apps and more allow internet calls and are easily downloaded from the stores.
- Dedicated VoIP phones are also in the market. On the surface look, they look like traditional analog phones, but when connected to a computer network, they can be deployed as Voice Over Internet Protocol instruments.
- The normal landline phone can be converted into a VoIP and used to make calls over the internet by connecting the landline’s outlet right on your wall with an adapter or into a router.
Equipment Needed for a VoIP System
An internet connection, a strong, formidable, reliable, secure (one that cannot be hacked), and a fast internet connection is the first thing you need before thinking of VoIP. This is because the quality of calls or even its ability to be reliably real-time (that is, the sender and the receiver are getting the messages just as they are sent) is dependent on the internet connection. Subsequently, your decision on what other equipment to have will depend on the type of VoIP you intend to use. If you would be using an adapter, you should get an adapter that is a compatible landline phone. If you already have an adapter that only plugs into a wireless router instead of a phone outlet, you should consider a router. A computer system, be it a laptop, desktop, or a supercomputer, with an internet connection, would be required to set up VoIP on your computer. You should also have a VoIP program downloaded. You may need to plug a headset into your system for maximum sound quality and to avoid distractions and disturbances from external sounds if you only make use of the system’s speakers and microphones. With an internet-connected smartphone, you will need to install a VoIP app. Once connected, most apps allow free calls between two or more users and paid calls to landline or mobile numbers. A couple of providers offer the option of making VoIP calls using credit in your home phone plan.
Advantages and Disadvantages of VoIP Systems
The prevalence of digital communication has popularized VoIP systems. Their cost-effectiveness, reliability, and sound quality have coupled to make them one of the most accepted phone systems in the small business world. It is not to say VoIP systems are perfect. People with a poor internet connection or no internet at all loathe it. It also has some other shortcomings, as we will soon see.
Advantages
1.Low cost.
2.Enhanced functionality
3.Top-notch sound quality
4.Greater functionality (video calls,multimedia messages, voicemail, call analytics, etc.)
Disadvantages
1.Emergency call service (like a call to 911) is not supported.
2.Useless where there is no internet or strong internet.
3.Requires expensive gadgets
What is a Landline?
The landline phone system has been with us, without much innovation, for more than 200 years. Landline telephones send signals from one phone to another through a series of physical switch boxes. Because they use copper wires in a transmission, they are usually reliable and fast. Complicated and time-consuming maintenance make them unattractive for most people, however.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Landline Systems
Just as VoiP does, landlines have both advantages and disadvantages
Advantages
1.They are extremely reliable and works even in the absence of internet services and in bad weather.Customers can, therefore, get across to you at all times.
Disadvantages
1.Landlines are quite expensive, compared to VoIP systems.
2.Landlines are no longer in vogue, so have few users. Your customers are more likely not going to be using landlines. You should be where your customers are.
3.Spam calls are more frequent on landlines than on VoIP or mobile numbers.
It’s, therefore, without question that a VoIP is better than a landline, but because both have features that are peculiar to them, it is advisable you have both.
