Many large and small businesses remain oblivious to the benefits of VoIP phone systems because they’re blinded by foul myths about the new technology.
Rumors and myths about the VoIP phone system have caused many companies to shy away from adopting the calling system—even when they desperately need one.
Despite the misconception, we can safely say that VoIP phones aren’t going anywhere. The corporate VoIP market has over 100 billion subscribers today and studies indicate that the market is only going to boom from here on now. Around 2020, the VoIP industry is expected to indulge in a whopping $86 billion in revenue.
Observers say that the rapid increase in demand for VoIP systems spells gloom and doom for traditional landline systems—which ironically happens to be another myth! We’re not sure if landline phones will survive in the next decade but VoIP phones are undoubtedly the future we all see.
From saving communication costs to making businesses more productive, VoIP phones are a reliable investment and it’s about time we dispelled some misconceptions surrounding the system!
1. VoIP can’t replace the traditional landline
Many people say that if your broadband connection stops working, then you can’t use your VoIP phone—which is technically true, but so is the fact that you can’t use any traditional analog phone via the failed link either.
Landline phones are just as prone to unforeseen failures as are VoIP phones—albeit to a lesser degree because hunting down an alternate internet connection shouldn’t be so hard. If a construction worker accidentally cuts your telephone cable wire then you’re not going to be able to make calls until that very line is fixed. That can be pretty time-consuming.
The bottom line is that a service provider can’t promise you 100 percent uptime for any kind of calling system. So it’s unfair to judge the VoIP phone’s reliability based on this rule.
2. VoIP phones have a poor voice quality
VoIP voice quality has a bad reputation but only for the wrong reasons. As you know, VoIP phone systems operate via the internet. Therefore, the quality of the call you experience highly depends on the performance of your broadband connection.
There’s no ‘system inbuilt’ reason why VoIP phones would give you poor voice quality. If you’re looking for decent voice quality we suggest investing in a broadband connection that has at least 2 Mb upload and download capacity bandwidth. If your business is using the same connection for other purposes then the high amount of data traffic will compromise on the quality of call you experience with your VoIP phone.
Make sure you’re actively managing any shared connections in your office when using your VoIP system. Don’t underestimate the power of bandwidth capacity.
3. Voice over IP is not safe to use
The third myth on our list is regarding the security that VoIP systems provide its users. Many large companies and global businesses think that using VoIP phones puts you at risk of data breaches and privacy violations.
Well, the reality is that your VoIP system and the data you put on it will only be as safe as the network you use to operate it. If your network is festered with hackers then it’s likely that the security of your VoIP system will also be compromised.
However, there are a couple of things that you can do to boost your VoIP’s security and they all have to do with tightening your network security.
Simple things like installing firewalls can reduce the chances for hackers to intercept voice and data packets passing through your office network. You should also be careful about your Wi-Fi network in this regard. An unsecured connection can lead you into unnecessary problems and serious security breaches.
Try to keep your guest or public Wi-Fi connections separate from the ones you use for your VoIP, desktop and cell phones.
4. VoIP can’t be used wirelessly
You probably haven’t seen a wireless VoIP yet but that doesn’t mean those don’t exist. At Top5 Business VoIP we’ve been working with some of the best VoIP service providers and each one of them has an option to improve your portability, flexibility and productivity.
Apart from the IP desk phones, also known as hard phones that sit at your office desk, there’s another type of VoIP system that’s completely computer-based. That means it involves no cables or wires at all! All you need to do is install the VoIP program onto your chosen device. Now, you can use your VoIP phone on your cell phone or tablet. You can also integrate it with third-party apps that you frequently use at work.
5. VoIP calls can’t be recorded or monitored
VoIP calls can most definitely be monitored and recorded. Office supervisors can also eavesdrop on their juniors for training purposes. Call center-based businesses and financial groups can greatly benefit from the call recording and monitoring options that often come as standard features in even the most basic plans.
Check out VoIP service providers like Ring Central and Vonage. They’ve been offering call monitoring and recording facilities on all their pricing plans. You can read up their reviews on our page too.
6. VoIP can’t be used for fax transmission
Fax transmission isn’t a popular mode of communication any longer but there are many organizations that have to use them according to government compliance rules. These companies can find a versatile set of fax transmission features with any of their VoIP plans. The most common feature present on most VoIP platforms is the Fax-to-Email option, which helps decode incoming fax, converts it into digital format and emails it to the intended recipient.
As for the case of sending faxes to a client, you can always connect a conventional fax machine to your VoIP phone or device. The VoIP system will reverse the process and make the fax available for print to you.
7. VoIP numbers can’t be ported
When your business has been assigned a VoIP number, it can very easily port it to a registered telephone number. The feature is inbuilt in most VoIP phones. For example, when a client calls you on your landline connection, the analog number is converted into VoIP format and is then routed to whatever extension the client wants to be directed to. Interestingly, this feature also works if your client would want an audio conference or have a voicemail delivered to someone who’s not in the office.
Final Word
VoIP phones are highly efficient systems of communication and studies tell us that those companies who have already made the switch from landlines to VoIP systems are now saving around 50 to 75 percent of their annual communications bill!
The ultimate VoIP experience begins with choosing the best VoIP service provider. Compare the top service providers here and let Top5 Business VoIP help you make a successful transition!
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