subject: Save Money By Changing Your Phone System [print this page] There are so many types of phone system out there that it can often be difficult to know which one is right for your home or business. However, you probably agree that it is important that your phone system does not cost you the earth in terms of call costs. Many individuals and companies all around the world are making the switch to VOIP phones in order to lower their telephone bills.
How Does a VOIP Phone System Work?
VOIP, or Voice over Internet Protocol phone systems work by allowing voice and sound to be transmitted over the space of the Internet in the form of phone calls. These calls are cheaper than standard telephone calls as they bypass the public switched telephone network (PSTN) and so also the associated call costs. Users simply pay a flat, once-monthly fee to their VOIP provider, regardless of whether they have made local or International calls and how long the calls lasted. This enables users to save a lot of money, especially if they make regular long-distance calls abroad. In the current financial climate, everyone needs to cut costs where they can and a VOIP phone system can be a godsend in terms of lowing monthly phone bills. The initial cost of your VOIP phone system is unlikely to be cheap, but prices are gradually coming down over time as providers compete with each-other for custom. Plus, the money that you spend on your system initially will almost certainly be paid back to you in no time at all as you save money on your phone calls.
Is Call Quality Good?
In the years after VOIP's conception, the quality of VOIP was somewhat inconsistent - plagued with dropped calls and patchy reception, and this may be the reason why it was not instantly viewed as a worthwhile substitute for traditional telephone communication. However, the technology has advanced and grown to a level where most users now firmly agree that the quality of VOIP calls is even better than that of their mobile phone and landline competitors. This is crucial for companies where a reliable phone line and a clear and almost faultless call quality can make or break business deals and present a professional image to potential clients.
Which VOIP Provider?
In terms of which VOIP provider you should use for your VOIP phone system, this really depends on how much you can afford to spend and what features you want from your system. Keep in mind that a system with a whole host a features will usually cost you more than one with one or two additional features. Therefore, you need to establish which features you need without question and which you can live without. For example, do you definitely need three-way calling? This would be useful for businesses who want to carry out telephone conferences with multiple people but necessary for those using their system in their homes for everyday use. Think carefully about how you are going to use your system before buying the first one you see.
