Start-up tips: Cutting your costs with VOIP

Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) has emerged over the past few years as a cost-effective

and extremely valuable resource for businesses making conference or business calls over an internet connection.

Whether you make calls using your computer's built-in microphone and speakers or you choose a dedicated VOIP phone, indistinguishable from a regular landline, VOIP can instantly cut up to 50 per cent of phone costs as well as eliminating the need to install a Private Branch Exchange network to connect workers across your office.

Because you will be paying for your internet service rather than the pay-per-minute charges of traditional PSTN lines, VOIP makes both local and international calls much more affordable, which can be great news if you're growing your start-up business and looking for ways to reduce expenditure in the recession. Calling overseas can be up to 90 per cent cheaper using VOIP.

All that's needed to carry out VOIP calls effectively is a strong broadband connection, something that can be considered a mandatory requirement for businesses today. Choosing a dedicated business broadband service can guarantee faster speeds and greater connectivity, meaning your VOIP calls won't cut out due to insufficient bandwidth. However, there are further advantages to VOIP over traditional phone lines, beyond just cost savings.

Unlike regular landlines, which only permit two people to speak at a time, you can host conference calls quite simply over a VOIP connection, allowing whole teams in different locations to communicate in real-time. You can also benefit from additional features such as caller ID, contact lists and voicemail with your VOIP account, meaning VOIP has all the advantages of a regular phone, but none of the drawbacks.

That doesn't mean VOIP is just a substitute for a landline, however. During a VOIP call you can also send packets of data, such as images or documents, meaning everyone involved in the call will have instant access and can collaborate on projects in real-time. You can also hold face-to-face calls using webcams, and with modern strong broadband connections the quality of both image and sound can be much clearer than in the past.

Even if you don't choose to invest in handsets for your VOIP calls, you can reduce costs and clutter by speaking directly through your computer. All you will require is a sound card and speakers to hear what the other person or people are saying, and a microphone - usually built-in - to speak yourself.

Start-up tips:Cutting your costs with VOIP

By: Paul Buchanan

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