voice over internet protocols

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services are revolutionizing the way businesses communicate by providing organizations with effective and consistent in-office communication for their value. But before you switch to VoIP, there are a few things you need to keep in mind: What are your network needs? When contemplating whether or not to get VoIP, it's […]

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11 Sep, 2023 / by Complete Technology Resources / in 2023september11voip_b, voice over internet protocols, VoIP category

Switching to VoIP? Here are things to keep in mind

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services are revolutionizing the way businesses communicate by providing organizations with effective and consistent in-office communication for their value. But before you switch to VoIP, there are a few things you need to keep in mind:

What are your network needs?

When contemplating whether or not to get VoIP, it's vital to determine how much control you need over your network. Depending on the answer to that question, you will choose between two primary approaches:

Managed VoIP

Your company manages and maintains an on-site VoIP system.

Initial costs can be higher due to hardware and maintenance expenses.

Offers greater versatility and control over your network.

Hosted VoIP

An outsourced third party handles the costs for new hardware and telecom network maintenance.

Your company is relieved of the burden of monitoring and updating telecom technologies.

This setup is often favored by small businesses because they pay only for the services used, with lower upfront fees.

If you are comfortable sharing control of your VoIP infrastructure for convenience, then you should consider the hosted approach. If you are uncomfortable with such an arrangement and want full control, then the managed approach might suit you better.

What will be your technical involvement?

The choice between managed and hosted VoIP depends on your comfort level with managing and maintaining your VoIP setup. If you have limited IT knowledge, opt for hosted VoIP. An onsite managed VoIP is more suited to companies with more resources and a need for more customized telecom networks.

Should you choose to go mobile?

With VoIP, telephony is no longer confined to a specific phone network. The cloud makes it possible for modern employees to have access to various communication tools securely, anytime, anywhere. You may need or prefer VoIP systems with mobile integration so your team can answer calls and join video conferences from their mobile devices while working from home.

How quickly is your business growing?

When selecting the right VoIP system, make sure that your service provider aligns with your company's growth plans. Your VoIP solution should easily scale up and add or remove lines as needed without you having to invest in new hardware or infrastructure. Your VoIP system should withstand demanding call volumes, especially during peak season or sudden increases of your customer base.

What is the quality of your internet connection?

Regardless of your VoIP provider choice, a robust and stable internet connection is essential to support and make the most out of your communications network. Check if your company has dedicated broadband or leased lines. The former offers higher internet speeds which allows you to handle greater quantities of data quickly. While the latter provides better voice quality, which translates into better and clearer voice communication within the office and outside it.

What is your budget?

Your budget drastically narrows down your VoIP provider choices. Calculate hardware and installation costs, alongside ongoing management expenses. Examine the provider's fees for managing, updating, and maintaining your telecom system. Additionally, always read the fine print of your contract to ensure that you're only paying for the services that you need.

Choosing and integrating a VoIP system can be overwhelming. But, by considering these factors and asking yourself the right questions, you can make an informed choice. If you need more help with VoIP, our experts are here to assist you every step of the way.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

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Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) has been around for quite some time. Businesses today prefer VoIP telephony systems over old landline phone system because the former has more features that are useful for day-to-day operations. But slowly gaining buzz is Voice over Long-Term Evolution (VoLTE). What is this new technology, and why is it gaining […]

The post What’s the difference between VoIP and VoLTE? appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..

01 Jun, 2020 / by Complete Technology Resources / in 2020june1voip_b, communication tools, one-stop solution, voice calls, voice data, voice over internet protocols, voice over long term evolution, voice over lte, VoIP, volte category

What’s the difference between VoIP and VoLTE?

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) has been around for quite some time. Businesses today prefer VoIP telephony systems over old landline phone system because the former has more features that are useful for day-to-day operations. But slowly gaining buzz is Voice over Long-Term Evolution (VoLTE). What is this new technology, and why is it gaining popularity?

To know the difference between VoIP and VoLTE, let’s first examine the older of the two technologies.

What is VoIP?

Unlike analog telephones that use phone cables, VoIP uses the internet to transmit voice calls. VoIP calls can be made using laptops, desktop computers, smartphones, tablets, and even old handsets fitted with appropriate converters.

VoIP also supports a range of call features such as voice messaging, call forwarding, SMS text messaging, fax transmission, voicemail, and a host of other services. For businesses, VoIP is a convenient one-stop solution for all their communication needs that will not cost them an arm and a leg.

However, VoIP was introduced at a time when the world was still using 2G and 3G networks for mobile devices. The years since then saw major improvements in network connectivity. The arrival of 4G or Long-Term Evolution (LTE) meant faster and better connectivity.

What is VoLTE?

Unlike VoIP, VoLTE uses 4G LTE network to transmit voice calls. And there’s a difference to how VoLTE transmits voice calls. To illustrate, here’s a very simplified analogy:

VoIP is a steam train data carrier chugging along on a steel-and-wood railway that’s your 2G/3G internet connection. The train is loaded with various data: voice, email and text, photo, video, music, and many more.

VoLTE is a Japanese Maglev bullet train data carrier that uses magnetic forces to levitate (thus “maglev”) the train a few inches off the electromagnetic track that’s your 4G internet connection. With zero friction, the train moves at astonishing speeds. What’s more, VoLTE does not pack all data into one train. Instead, each kind of data has a dedicated train all to itself — voice calls on one train, email on another, video packets on another, and so forth. This means faster transmission and better quality voice calls and video chats.

However, don’t think that VoLTE is merely a pumped-up version of VoIP. Instead, think of VoLTE as building on the gains of VoIP technology.

What is the difference between VoIP and VoLTE?

VoLTE is a recent standard for wireless, high-speed communication; in fact, as of this writing, VoLTE is available for mobile devices only. The following enumerates how VoLTE is different from VoIP, and why it’s an improvement over the latter.

#1 VoLTE uses a different network than VoIP

VoIP uses a web-based network such as 3G or Wi-Fi to transmit voice data. On the other hand, VoLTE uses 4G LTE network to transmit voice data. 4G LTE has a broader bandwidth and faster speeds, which means...

#2 VoLTE offers better quality of voice calls

VoLTE first gained prominence because of its superior voice calls. Its high-definition (HD) audio quality is excellent, with lags, drops, jitters and disturbances mostly eliminated. However, there is a catch: caller and receiver must both be using VoLTE phones and transmitting in an area with 4G LTE to experience HD calls.

#3 VoLTE allows simultaneous voice calls and data usage

In the case of some smartphones, it’s not possible to make a call while browsing the web. You need to drop one in order to perform the other. With VoLTE, you can talk and run data apps concurrently.

#4 VoLTE prioritizes voice calls

Both VoIP and VoLTE send voice data packets over the internet along with other data usage transmissions. But while VoIP sends packets on a first come, first served basis, VoLTE prioritizes voice data.

#5 VoLTE eliminates per-minute billing of voice calls

Voice calls used to be charged per minute, but with VoLTE, voice calls are the same as any data transmission. Plus, because it’s difficult to figure out how much data you use for a voice call than it is to count the number of minutes in a call, then the days of voice-minutes billings are numbered.

#6 VoLTE allows for longer battery life, more efficient consumption

With VoLTE, phones need not switch between 2G, 3G, and 4G networks during calls. This extends the battery life, so users need not recharge often.

#7 VoLTE currently has limited support

For now, not all smartphone brands and models support VoLTE technology. And there are still places in the United States where LTE is unavailable. But experts believe that this will rapidly change soon.

Want to learn more about VoLTE and how it can boost your business’s productivity? Call our IT experts today.