Is VoIP good for small businesses?

Absolutely! VoIP is an excellent choice for small businesses due to its flexibility and low costs. Unlike traditional phone lines, which require huge amounts of internal and external IT infrastructure, VoIP’s digital protocols can be quickly and easily integrated into your existing network. This allows even the smallest of businesses to take advantage of the many features and perks that a VoIP service offers without the need for costly extensions.

Is VoIP cheaper than a landline?

Yes, in the long term, VoIP is significantly cheaper than traditional hard phones. This is because VoIP does not rely on PSTN and ISDN to work. Traditional copper phone lines are more expensive to maintain, not to mention on the verge of being decommissioned completely. VoIP is also easier to scale, allowing businesses to budget effectively as they grow and hire more users.

What business internet is best for VoIP?

The best business internet for VoIP calls is a leased line. This option is ideal for organisations that rely on data-centric services like VoIP telephony and automated offsite backups. A leased line provides exclusive access to a symmetrical fibre optic cable, ensuring reliable and fast internet access any time of day. This type of connection enables the transfer of large amounts of data without compromising speed or stability, making it perfect for businesses that need consistent performance.

Does VoIP need internet connection to make calls?

Yes, VoIP relies entirely on a stable internet connection to function properly. To implement a VoIP telephony system in your day-to-day operations, you will need a reliable internet connection with maximum bandwidth. As long as your internet connection is stable, VoIP calls will not impact your internet speed. However, it’s essential to have a high-capacity connection, especially if you are using multiple data-centric digital solutions that require considerable bandwidth.

Can I use VoIP on a mobile?

Definitely! You can use VoIP through your business mobile. VoIP technology allows for seamless communication and even includes features like voicemail transcription, which sends transcribed messages directly to your email. Known for its flexibility and mobility, VoIP means you and your staff will no longer be desk-bound, enabling better communication on the go.

Is it easy to use VoIP?

Yes, using a VoIP telephony system is just as straightforward as using a traditional phone, provided you have a stable internet connection with sufficient bandwidth. Unlike other platforms like Skype or WhatsApp, VoIP allows you to make calls to any number, much like you would with a standard hard phone, ensuring ease of use for all users.

What is VoIP? A Guide to Voice over IP Calling

VoIP Telephony

Frazer Lloyd-Davies

7th February, 2022

With the so-called great ISDN and PSTN switch-off spelling the end to traditional phone lines in the UK by December 2027, there’s never been a better time to upgrade your outdated hard phones to VoIP. But what is it? And how will it benefit your business?

If you run a business, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed by the ever-changing digital landscape. That said, if you hope to benefit from business continuity, maximise your profits and nurture growth within your organisation, it is absolutely paramount that your digital assets and IT infrastructure are kept up-to-date. Your telephones are no different, and with the end to traditional phone lines on the horizon, there’s no denying that VoIP is the future of unified communications.

What is VoIP and How Does it Work?

VoIP, or Voice over Internet Protocol, is a modern alternative to traditional landline phone systems. Instead of relying on the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and analogue lines, VoIP uses your internet connection. This allows you to make and receive calls directly from a computer, a special VoIP phone or a traditional phone connected to a special adapter.

When you make a call using VoIP, your voice is converted into digital data packets. This data is transmitted through your internet service to the VoIP provider, which then routes it to the recipient’s phone. The process happens nearly instantaneously, resulting in sound quality that can surpass that of traditional phone calls.

What are the Benefits of VoIP?

Essentially, VoIP is the number one choice for businesses transitioning away from traditional phone lines and preparing for the ISDN switch-off. Businesses can still choose to have hard phones within a VoIP network, the difference is that instead of relying on outdated phone lines, which are soon to be switched off altogether, your phone system will be entirely digital and reliant on the internet. As a result, it is essential to have a suitable high-capacity internet connection before implementing VoIP telephony within your business—but first, what are some of the benefits?

Flexible & Cost-Effective

Implementing VoIP telephony is easier and more cost-effective than ever, primarily because you only pay for your internet connection. Many VoIP services come with free, built-in features like voicemail-to-email, call forwarding and video conferencing, which are either not available with traditional phones or come at an extra cost.

Unlike traditional phone systems that keep you tied to a desk, VoIP easily integrates with laptops and mobile phones. This flexibility allows your team to stay connected from virtually anywhere, whether in the office, working from home or during business travel. Together, these functionalities help streamline internal collaboration and improve customer interactions, leading to a better overall experience for everyone involved.

Scalability

With VoIP, your communication system operates in the cloud, eliminating the need for extensive on-site installation and management associated with traditional phone lines. This means that adding or changing users is as simple as a few clicks in the software—no waiting for an engineer to come and set things up. This scalability ensures your communication system can keep pace with your organisation, whether you’re opening new locations, hiring additional staff or rolling out new services.

Business Continuity

Perhaps most pertinent, a VoIP telephony system can cement business continuity in a way traditional phone lines simply can’t. In the rare event that you lose your internet connection, addressing the issue is often quicker and more financially viable than dealing with a damaged phone line. This means less downtime for your business.

Additionally, having an IT support provider means your digital assets and infrastructure, including your internet connection, are actively managed. For instance, if there’s a risk of a connection drop, your IT team can often resolve it swiftly, preventing disruptions to your telephony system. By actively monitoring your network, this kind of proactive solution translates to a more reliable, stable service when it comes to your IT infrastructure—including your VoIP system.

Reliability

VoIP uses internet technology to transmit voice signals, so the call quality is much higher than traditional hard phones. This is, of course, highly dependent on your internet connectivity. If you hope to implement VoIP within your business operations, the team at Acronyms recommends a leased line to host your telephony system. This additional bandwidth allows your team to communicate seamlessly without interruptions, enabling them to maximise productivity and complete their daily tasks with ease.

What is a Leased Line?

If your business is in need of a stable, high-capacity internet connection, you should probably be considering a leased line. A leased line is a symmetrical internet connection leased exclusively to you and your business—hence the name. Reliable and secure, a leased line is essentially a private network a business can utilise to manage its data-centric services. For businesses with bandwidth-intensive digital solutions like VoIP and offsite backups, a leased line gives networks the stable, fast connection they need to maintain a reliable connection.

Do I Need a Leased Line?

The short answer is yes. If you hope to implement VoIP within your day-to-day operations, you will need a reliable internet connection. Your commercial broadband modem struggling away in the corner just isn’t going to cut it. There are many benefits to having a leased line, including fast, symmetrical download and upload speeds. This feature allows businesses to transfer large amounts of data and information without compromising on the speed or stability of their internet connection.

For more information about leased lines you can read the following blog post in which we detail the differences between broadband and leased line internet connectivity.

Implement VoIP Service with Acronyms

Embracing VoIP telephony with the right internet connection can transform your day-to-day operations, ensuring continuity and putting you ahead of the tech curve as we bid farewell to the traditional phone line as we know it.

If you’re in search of a reliable VoIP provider, look no further than Acronyms. Since 2003, we’ve been dedicated to assisting businesses and organisations across the South West with their digital assets and IT infrastructure. Our team of experienced technicians, engineers and consultants offers a variety of digital solutions and services that can deliver a secure and stable IT environment for your business. Whether you’re looking to implement VoIP, upgrade your existing systems or explore additional IT services, we have the expertise to help you succeed.

If you have any questions about VoIP or any of the other services we offer, please contact the team today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Absolutely! VoIP is an excellent choice for small businesses due to its flexibility and low costs. Unlike traditional phone lines, which require huge amounts of internal and external IT infrastructure, VoIP’s digital protocols can be quickly and easily integrated into your existing network.

This allows even the smallest of businesses to take advantage of the many features and perks that a VoIP service offers without the need for costly extensions.
The best business internet for VoIP calls is a leased line. This option is ideal for organisations that rely on data-centric services like VoIP telephony and automated offsite backups. A leased line provides exclusive access to a symmetrical fibre optic cable, ensuring reliable and fast internet access any time of day.

This type of connection enables the transfer of large amounts of data without compromising speed or stability, making it perfect for businesses that need consistent performance.
Yes, VoIP relies entirely on a stable internet connection to function properly. To implement a VoIP telephony system in your day-to-day operations, you will need a reliable internet connection with maximum bandwidth. As long as your internet connection is stable, VoIP calls will not impact your internet speed.

However, it’s essential to have a high-capacity connection, especially if you are using multiple data-centric digital solutions that require considerable bandwidth.

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