VoIP Phone Services: Why It’s A Worthwhile Business Option
VoIP, or voice over internet protocol, is a technology that gives people the ability to make and receive real-time phone calls through the Internet.
It works through a set of protocols to offer internet telephone services similar to an actual phone company. The critical difference is that VoIP phone service gives users mobility and flexibility that cannot be obtained with traditional phone services.
Simply put, calls can be made through computers (laptops or desktops) and smart devices like tablets.
VoIP vs. Traditional Phone Services
You may be wondering why you should use a VoIP service over a traditional one. It’s important to look at each option individually to get a better understanding of their differences:
Traditional Phone Service
- Costs thousands of dollars for the on-site hardware
- Expensive long-distance and international calls
- Business features have added costs
- Additional physical cable lines necessary for expansion
- Stays active even during outages
VoIP Phone Service
- Save money with no expensive hardware
- Little to no cost for long-distance calls
- Offers standard business features such as voicemail, call forwarding, etc.
- Extra extensions can be added through the admin control in a few clicks
- Must have Internet to offer the service
HotHeadTech.com can supply you with VoIP business services. Contact us today to learn more.
A Closer Understanding Of How VoIP Phone Service Work
VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol, which means a set of protocols work with one another to offer telephone services identical to what customers can get with a landline number.
While you need to know how the VoIP process works, you should also know some of its basic terms to understand the way the technology works.
- Codecs for Conversion of Analog Voice Data – This is also called codec-decorder, which will change analog voice signals such as voice into a digital voice format that can be sent over the Internet. It changes the digital format into analog for people to hear.
- IP Packets for VoIP Transmission – Summarizing data and voice, a VoIP call captures the audio or voice and breaks into tiny samples that are passed as payloads. They then become a part of the IP packets that transmit between private or public networks.
- Real-Time Transport Protocol (RTP) – The RTP is responsible for carrying VoIP audio and video streams during transmissions. File information that is carried includes media type and format.
- Session Initiated Protocol (SIP) for VoIP Signaling – This protocol is responsible for imitating regular telephone services. It’s a standard signaling protocol that sets up, manages and ends real-time communications on the IP Networks.
- SIP Servers for VoIP Signaling – These services receive and answer to SIP requests. There are various SIP servers; the most common is the Proxy server, which allows connections to set up Voice over IP). Presence Server, Redirect Server and Registration Server all examples of other SIP servers.
- Transmission Control Protocol or TCP-IP – Common way to deliver VoIP protocols, the packets sent through this process will ensure the data is received. If lost, it will still be transmitted. This focuses on quality rather than speed.
- User Datagram Protocol or UDP-IP – Another common way that VoIP protocols are delivered, the packets are sent, but there is no guarantee of delivery. It’s focused more on speed than quality.
An Example Of How A VoIP Call Work
While it’s great to know the terms of the service, you need to know the nitty-gritty of how it works based on the taken action.
Person A calls Person B
Caller A is using the SIP signal using a Proxy server. Person B answers it, accepting the call from the Proxy Server using the SIP signal. They talk, with the IP packet holding the voice data is sent through either TCP or UDP. The RTP then sends the voice data with the Codec changing the analog voice into digital and back again… all in real-time.
The call ends, and the SIP signal severs the connection.
You can make VoIP calls to landline numbers via VoIP gateways. These gateways will change traditional phone connections into VoIP connections and vice-versa. When a call comes from a landline number, the gateway converts the multiplexed voice into a voice sample packet.
Yes, there is more behind VoIP transmissions, but this is the gist of the technology.
HotHeadTech.com Offers Superior VoIP Services For Businesses
HotHeadTech.com offers a secure, dependable virtual phone service using cloud PBX. We also offer other services beyond voice calls:
- Team messaging
- SMS
- Online meetings
- Advanced call management features
It’s all in the effort to foster better communication. It’s not just a substitute for traditional landlines; we provide an entire cloud communications platform. What makes our service so great?
- Designed For Businesses – Modern VoIP systems do more than just offer voice calls. They offer features that businesses need, such as voice conferencing, caller ID, faxing and SMS.
- Easy Setup – It takes no time to set up and configure a business’ VoIP, usually no more than a day before it can be used.
- Flexible VoIP System – A VoIP service uses the Internet to make calls, host and join conferences, and send and receive SMS and faxes, regardless of where it’s from.
- No Need For Hardware – The only equipment necessary to use a VoIP service are laptops, computers, or mobile devices.
- 24/7 Customer Support – At the very start, our HotHeadTech.com offers the best customer support 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We don’t just offer you technical support but support for other VoIP-related reasons.
- Outstanding Phone Plans – We offer the most advanced communications in the industry for every business looking to use VoIP. We have many plans to choose from, including VoIP, conferences, video calls, cloud PBX, etc.
7 Commonly Asked Questions About VoIP Services
Why Is A VoIP Used?
The majority of call and contact centers use the VoIP technology for their phone service because of the affordability factor.
Besides making calls over the Internet, it has an audio aspect that can be used as a video conference-calling solution.
Although other technologies facilitate the video calls and video conferencing aspect, VoIP allows people to talk with one another without adding an expensive telephone service.
How Does One Identify The Best VoIP Phone Service
When it comes to finding the best VoIP phone service, you want a company that does more than facilitate Internet phone calls.
You want to get the best possible communications experience where you can make calls, receive faxes, text, conduct live chats, host video meetings, etc.
What Could You Pay For A VoIP Service?
You could pay anywhere from $20 to $45 per user, but the total cost will depend on the VoIP provider, their capabilities and your preferred features.
We work with our customers to find a plan that meets the needs of their business – whether it’s a small, mid-size or large company. We will find a plan suitable for their needs.
When you use our VoIP service, you can get unlimited calling throughout the U.S. and Canada, ensuring your business has the best communications solution that becomes the primary hub for communications and teamwork.
Can Home-Based and Telecommuting Employees Benefit From A VoIP Service?
It doesn’t matter if you have an employee who works from home or telecommutes; a VoIP service will benefit them and your business.
Be sure to find a VoIP phone service that connects them to the company even if they’re not physically there.
With VoIP phone service, your employees don’t have to use their own home phone to work.
A VoIP can be a central communications hub that allows for teamwork, whether through online meetings, fax, text messages, voice or live chat.
Will You Need A Service Provider For A VoIP?
Any business with an IT team and/or supportive IT infrastructure can set up their own VoIP phone solution.
However, this can run thousands of dollars, and many businesses just do not have that kind of cash or technology on hand to create their own.
A VoIP provider can provide companies with VoIP services such as call forwarding, caller ID, hold music, cloud PBC, call blocking, etc.
Providers often have multiple plans and prices to choose from. They host the service on their own IT infrastructure and use the Internet to offer their customers the service.
Are There Any Free VoIP Services?
There are several basic VoIP apps that consumers can utilize – Facebook Messenger, Viber, WhatsApp, etc. These services allow people to make voice and video calls. However, they are designed more for individuals and not businesses.
If you want to maintain a professional image, you need a VoIP provider that offers a range of services beyond voice and video calling. These companies also have a range of plans and prices covering a business’ communications needs for a monthly fee.
Is It Possible To Send and Receive Faxes With A VoIP?
VoIP has made it possible to use the Internet to send digital files via IP transmissions, including virtual fax. Though the VoIP alone can’t be used to send faxes through the Internet, the idea is relatively similar. The key difference is that it’s a one-way transmission with the payload being either a soft or hard copy.
The same premise is seen with other IP-transmission systems such as home security systems with cameras. The camera will use the IP transmission to send footage to streaming devices or cellphones remotely.
There are so many possibilities here.
How To Find The Best VoIP Provider For Your Business
You don’t want to focus on price when finding the right VoIP phone service for your business. Yes, cost is a factor to consider, but it’s not the end-all, be-all to everything.
For instance, a cheap VoIP phone provider may offer business communications, but the call quality may not be very professional. This can damage relationships with your customers, causing you to lose money.
Don’t let that happen to you.
Do your research to find what each VoIP company is offering and what the prices are. Is it worth it? What should you consider when looking for a VoIP service provider?
Dependability and Safety
Since price isn’t the first thing to consider when searching for a VoIP service provider, what is? That would be dependability and safety. Are they able to maintain the service at all times? Will your calls be protected during the transmissions.
A virtual phone system can be hosted in several data centers to ensure dependability at all times. However, they should also offer various security measures such as data center audits, encryption, advanced account administration and multi-factor authentication, so their system and users are protected.
Comprehensive System With Various Features
The majority of VoIP services for companies offer a comprehensive phone system that includes a host of call features to manage calls. Some providers may add premium features to more expensive packages.
We offer our VoIP services are not just for business phone calls in handling incoming or outgoing calls. We provide a communication solution that includes HD video meetings and teamwork. No added costs.
Outstanding Customer Support
Most people think of customer support in terms of emergency, but customer support should go well beyond that. Customer support should help customers before an actual crisis happens. And, it should occur the moment a person becomes a customer.
This is what separates HotHeadTech.com from its competitors. We are there with you on day one to help you get the system set up correctly. We are there for consultations, technical support, etc.
Positive Reviews
The best VoIP providers will have a positive reputation for their services. Be sure to look for reviews about each company to see what people are saying.
HotHeadTech.com is an industry cloud communications leader for many businesses in the New York City and New Jersey areas.
As you see, price isn’t everything, and you need to consider every factor before choosing a VoIP phone provider to do business with. Remember, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.