Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a technology that allows you to make voice calls over the internet instead of a traditional telephone network. VoIP is most commonly used as a business telephone solution, but there are many personal VoIP services available for home users, too. VoIP has been around for almost two decades now, but it’s still one of the most misunderstood technologies today. There are several misconceptions about what VoIP is and how it works. If you’re reading this article and thinking, “What is VoIP?”, you will find answers to all your questions in this post.
What is VoIP?
VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol. It is a technology that allows you to make phone calls using a broadband internet connection instead of a traditional landline. VoIP has many advantages over a normal phone system, but it’s not suitable for every business. First, let’s go over how VoIP works. When you make a call with VoIP, your call is first sent to an internet protocol (IP) server. An IP server is a computer connected to the internet that stores data, websites, emails and more. That server looks at your call information, finds the appropriate phone number to connect you to and sends that call through the internet to the receiver.
There are several VoIP providers such as Vonage, Ooma, RingCentral, and Google Voice. Besides VoIP, there are a few other terms you may see when it comes to internet phone services. You may come across terms like Internet Protocol (IP) Telephony, Unified Communications (UC), and software-as-a-service (SaaS). All of these mean the same thing as VoIP and are used interchangeably.
How does VoIP work?
When you make a VoIP call, the call data is sent over the internet to an IP address that acts as an IP server. The server finds the appropriate phone number to connect you to, then it sends your call to that number. The person you are calling is also connected to an IP server. When the two servers connect, your call is connected. VoIP works very similarly to a call over a traditional telephone network, but there are a few important differences.
The first major difference between VoIP and a traditional landline is that your call travels over the internet instead of through a copper wire. This means the quality of your call can be affected by any issues with your internet connection. If your VoIP call is being sent through an internet service provider (ISP) that is experiencing poor service, you might experience dropped calls, choppy audio, or an incredibly long hold time.
What are the benefits of VoIP?
There are several benefits to using VoIP as your business phone system. First, VoIP is often less expensive than traditional phones. Since VoIP doesn’t require a physical phone system, you don’t need to worry about maintenance costs or waiting for repairmen. VoIP is also mobile-friendly, so your employees can make and receive calls from anywhere. Another major benefit to VoIP has to do with the reliability of the system. Traditional telephone systems are often dependent on other companies to provide phone service. If the power is out or if there’s a communication issue between the two companies, your phone service could be interrupted. VoIP is internet-based, so it doesn’t depend on another company’s physical systems. Instead, VoIP relies on internet service. If your internet connection is down, you won’t have phone service.
Who uses VoIP?
VoIP is used for many different applications, but it’s most commonly used for business telephone systems. VoIP is used by companies of all sizes and industries. Some of the largest companies in the world use VoIP for their telephone systems, including Amazon, Netflix, Microsoft, Boeing, and more. VoIP is also used by smaller businesses and organizations including schools, churches, medical offices, and non-profits. It can be a great solution for businesses that have outgrown their old phone system or need a system that is more portable than traditional phones. VoIP systems are often integrated with computer and communications software, allowing you to manage your communications from one central location.
Is VoIP reliable and secure?
VoIP may be less expensive than traditional phones, but it can also be less reliable. Voiceover IP can experience issues when your internet connection is poor or when there are large outages. VoIP is also less secure than a traditional phone network. It uses data packets sent over the internet to route your call and connect you to the person you’re calling. Anyone with access to your internet service or the internet in general can see and intercept your communication. However, VoIP providers often encrypt your calls to improve security. VoIP providers also use security protocols to keep your communication data secure and out of the hands of hackers. VoIP systems are also often managed over virtual private networks (VPNs) that keep your system and data separate from other systems on the internet.
What are the downsides of using VoIP?
Like any technology, VoIP does have some downsides. The main drawback is that VoIP is dependent on an internet connection which can be slow during certain times of day and in certain areas. VoIP can also be interrupted during times of high internet traffic or if your internet service provider has an outage. It also has less security than a traditional phone system. VoIP uses data packets sent over the internet to route your call and connect you to the person you’re calling. Anyone with access to your internet service or the internet in general can see and intercept your communication. There are ways to improve VoIP security, but it’s important to understand that VoIP is inherently less secure than a traditional phone system.