Can VoIP Replace Traditional Telephones?
Can VoIP Replace Traditional Telephones?
Can VoIP Replace Traditional Telephones?
Over the last few years, VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) has become hugely popular with both individuals and businesses.
Allowing people to connect and make calls easily over the Internet, regardless of location, has meant less expensive international calls, and a straightforward way into video chat as well.
Providers like Skype and Vonage are probably two of the better-known examples, but there are a lot of other options available for VoIP. And with more Internet providers offering high-speed broadband access to more customers, performance of VoIP systems is also becoming a lot more stable.
So does this mean that the "traditional landline" handset and telephone options for long-distance calls are coming to an end?
Maybe. Maybe not.
The Pros of VoIP
The immediate and obvious benefit of VoIP is the cost factor. Making an international call from a fixed handset has always been costly, and more so compared to making calls over the web (which are basically free, so very hard to compete with!).
Then there's also the flexibility. Because VoIP is web-based, you're no longer restricted to an office or home. As long as you can find a wi-fi hotspot (coffee houses are great for this!), then you're pretty much good to go. Even without wi-fi locations, many service providers offer wireless rocket sticks now, that you can plug in to your laptop and have instant Internet access with.
And you can also have a multi-person call with relative ease, as opposed to specific dial-in numbers and coders that normal audio conference calls require (sometimes with different codes for individual users, dependent on the conference host's needs).
So, pretty much all good news for VoIP, right? Not necessarily.
The Cons of VoIP
Yes, it's inexpensive (if not completely free). Yes, it's flexible and allows freedom of movement. Yes, it's pretty easy to set up a multiple attendee call without a bunch of call in numbers and more.
But...
What initially appears to be VoIP's strengths can also be seen as its "weakness".
For instance, while free is always good, it often comes with a price (no pun intended). While the likes of Skype and Vonage are pretty big so can offer good support services and back-up, many of the smaller VoIP providers can leave you hanging in the dark when you have issues.
Additionally, because of the nature of wi-fi and its performance relying a lot on how strong your connection to the Internet is, there's always the possibility of dropped calls. Much more than there is with a fixed connection (this is why cable providers often outscore satellite TV providers when it comes to performance and customer satisfaction).
Multi-person calling has always been a feature of audio conferencing, and since this platform was built specifically for multiple users, its a lot more robust than many conference call systems that use Internet access.
Now, this isn't to say "Oh, VoIP is no good and you need to stick with your telephones!". Far from it. We love VoIP and how it's made it easier for the everyday Joe to have the same kind of access that businesses have been using for years.
But sometimes, what looks free and a great solution might not always be that way. Just make sure you're looking at all the options around - Internet, fixed and others (like mobile, but that's a whole other topic).
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