Are VoIP Phone Systems Reliable?

Sometimes business communication choices seem confusing; There are now so many different technologies available that it can often be difficult to know what is best for your organization. In particular, a technology continues to grow in popularity thanks to its reliability and cost-effectiveness. This technology is VoIP, which stands for Voice Over Internet Protocol, also called Internet Telephony. Early problems that prevented its implementation are a now distant memory, and VoIP is fast becoming the industry standard. However, many business owners are still concerned about the reliability of VoIP and as such are reluctant to implement it in their organization.

Using a computer-to-computer private network so that there is no need for a traditional telephone system, VOIP offers businesses free or low cost, but high-performance voice and video calling with optimal security. VoIP phone systems are also easy to use and manage. Although a decent internet connection is required, you may be surprised to know that the average uptime is over 99% and calls and data are very rare.

Installing the equipment is quick, not as expensive as installing a traditional telephone system, and a service provider usually helps get the system up and running on the first day, after which maintenance and costs are minimal.

VoIP phone systems can either be owned directly or companies can rent a hosted system. For hosted VoIP, it is imperative that you choose a reputable service provider to maximize service levels. Hosted VoIP phone systems are generally better suited for SMEs due to the price structure per User. Additional benefits of hosted VoIP include all ongoing maintenance and support, which can be a huge money saver.

SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) technology is often used for a VoIP phone system. SIP routes calls from a client's PBX on the VoIP network to a traditional PSTN. Traditional telephones can be used to make VoIP calls with the addition of an analog telephone adapter (ATA). Data is transmitted in packets using IP (Internet Protocol). The system has the same high performance as with a pre-programmed SIP phone.

Security is a primary issue, and as with any IT network, one must be aware of firewalls, encryption and access levels, but VOIP also has its own software if encryption is not desirable.

If there is a power outage, the better VoIP providers have battery or call forwarding so that operations are not affected and if the server crashes, a built-in intercom feature is also maintained.