What Is VoIP?

VoIP is a short form of Voice over Internet Protocol and is also known as internet telephony, IP telephony, or Internet calling. It is considered a great alternative to the PSTN or public switched telephone network. VoIP transfers voice over the internet instead of using standard phone lines.

While it may seem a VoIP phone system is not very complicated. As technology advances, you will see increased use of cloud-based phone systems. Recent improvements and advancements in software and hardware make it a standard means of communication for businesses looking for a reliable way of communication.

VoIP provides an incredibly flexible solution that lets you make and receive calls without tying you to an office or desk phone. It means you can access your calls without any hassle and reduce the overhead charges for installation and hardware.

Basically, VoIP is a reliable, cost-effective, and flexible communication system that you must have for your business.

Before going further, you may want to know how it works.

What Is VoIP? 3

How Does
A VoIP Phone
System Work?

Wherever you have an internet connection, you can use VoIP. By using the Internet, it compresses your voice into a digital file and then transfers it.

Small digital packets transfer all your conversations; the Internet can transfer these packets worldwide within seconds. VoIP is built upon Session Initial Protocol to provide interactiveness between all VoIP apps and desk phones. Its working process has divided into three steps, have a look!

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Conversion

A codec converts audio signals into digital packets. These can be hardware or software-based processes that compress your voice signal and convert them into digital signals.

Transmission Via IP

The data packets are then transmitted through IP. It can be either done online or across a Local Area Network (LAN). This transmission is quick.

Unpacking

The data packets arrive at their destination. From where codecs will unpack the data and again convert it into audio or voice signals.

One best thing about VoIP systems is that they can work on the existing systems. The recipient also does not need any specialised device. Once all the packets are converted into voice signals, they will run through a standard phone line. You can get hardware that is compatible with Software for VoIP. VoIP phones are similar to standard desk phones that you may have used in the past, but they have more advanced features.

Looking to get a VoIP communication system

Looking to get a VoIP communication system for your business? So Let’s get started with a free trial from VoIP Business!

Top Used Technical VoIP Terms

The VoIP phone system works a bit differently from PSTN. When your voice is transmitted through IP, it is not sent down to a phone line. Instead, it is converted into digital packets and transmitted via the internet.

It is a simple process of conversion of voice signal into a digital packet, transmission over IP, and unpacking. It works in the following way:

Bandwidth

An internet connection can transfer data from one point to another in a specific period. It is usually measured at 1000 bits per second (Kbps). The higher the bandwidth of your connection, the more VoIP calls it can support. If you have a connection with lower bandwidth, the quality of VoIP calls will be affected.

VoIP Codecs

Codecs can be software-based or hardware devices used in the VoIP process. They are used to convert voice into digital packets before transmission and compress these signals for transmission. Then they re-convert them into voice signals at the other end.

VoIP DSL

DSL is an acronym for 'Digital Subscriber Line'. It is a conventional phone technology that allows a broadband connection over current phone lines. It is used to transmit digital data over telephone lines. On the other hand, it still allows analogue phone signals to travel through the same copper lines.

IP

The 'IP' stands for Internet Protocol, providing a set of rules on which data is transmitted and received online. These standard rules let devices communicate with each other even when running on different platforms. IP also provides general rules for data packet transmission. However, it does not order the packets being transmitted or establish any connection for doing so. It is handled by transmission protocols.

IVR

IVR stands for Interactive Voice Response, a feature of conventional telephony. It is an updated auto-attendant version, which allows callers to use menus and handles call transfer and forwarding. For example, 'press one for the sales department’ etc.

VoIP Latency

It refers to the time taken in the transmission of data. The more the latency, the greater the delay in the data transmission. High latency can affect the performance of VoIP, especially when you are using it for video conferencing. Voice quality is also affected, and voice delays are noticed with a latency of around 150 milliseconds. If latency is more than this value, the quality of call is compromised.

PBX

PBX vs Hosted PBX

PBX is an acronym for Private Branch Exchange. It refers to a private telephone network used within an organisation. It allows you to press a button on your desk phone and reach another person in your office. On the other hand, hosted PBX is a provider responsible for housing PBX at their location. They also manage the required technology and maintain the phone system. In such a PBX, the phone lines are plugged into a router that sends calls, signals and features to the provider. You have to pay a monthly cost to your hosted PBX provider, but there is no hassle of system maintenance and feature updates.

RTP & SRTP

RTP stands for Real-Time Transport Protocol. It is an internet protocol that transmits VoIP call data packets. It also transmits audio and video streams to allow other forms of multimedia communication. In contrast, SRTP is a Secure Real-Time Transport Protocol, an encrypted and more secure upgrade of RTP.

SIP vs SIP Trunking

It is also a way of transmitting voice communication over the internet. In many ways, it can act as an alternative to VoIP. Typically it works by connecting PBX to the internet. It provides added control to the user but needs more equipment compared to a VoIP phone system. SIP Trunking involves several phone lines. One SIP line can handle one call simultaneously, while SIP trunking can handle any number of SIP lines.

VoIP vs Landline

A traditional phone system depends on landlines. These phone systems use physical landlines connected to the phone socket and a receiver. Many businesses combine this with the PBX system, allowing them multiple phone lines. On the contrary, a VoIP phone system does not need any physical infrastructure like a traditional landline. With VoIP, you only need a reliable internet connection and use a softphone on your computer or any device like a smartphone. The best thing about a virtual phone system is that it has many advanced features that help you streamline your business communication.

VoIP Equipment

It would be best if you had the following major equipment to use VoIP services. • Modem • Router You may find both of these in your existing Internet set up too. Users can even make calls by downloading their softphones on desktops, laptops, and smartphones.

VoIP Advantages

VoIP is relatively a new technology that is still undergoing improvements and refinements. Those improvements and advancements in internet technology are making VoIP more relevant for business communication. It has numerous advantages that are enough to outweigh its drawbacks.
One of the most significant advantages of VoIP is its flexibility. It means you are not tied to a specific location and can easily make or receive calls from anywhere until you have an internet connection. It means you will never miss a call and improve your customer experience.
The Agility of VoIP makes it a perfect solution for remote working. You can connect to your clients or team members no matter where you are. Moreover, it is also useful for businesses with multiple offices at different locations.
Flexibility-and-agility
VoIP phone systems are cheaper than traditional telephony due to several reasons. The major reason is that the infrastructure is very inexpensive, which lets small businesses have high-quality communication systems without putting pressure on their pocket.
VoIP call charges are also cheaper because calls travel over the internet instead of the public telephone system.
In addition, VoIP removes the maintenance cost, as your network provider is responsible for maintenance.
Another significant advantage of VoIP is its scalability. If your business grows over time, you can easily expand your VoIP system to include new phone lines and workstations. There is no need to add new infrastructure or phone lines. Your employees can use their own devices to make or receive calls.
scalability
VoIP is considered the most reliable communication source among the rest. VoIP has been chosen by many businesses globally, and still, the numbers are increasing.
Reliability
Security is the primary concern of all businesses. How can you even imagine having a successful business without proper security?
All the VoIP providers will ensure the security of your business communication.
secure

The VoIP Phone System For Business

At VoIP Business, we offer a VoIP communication solution that can meet the needs of businesses of all types and sizes. We have experience working with organisations across different industrial sectors. We have an experienced team that can help you set up VoIP phone systems for your sales team, customer services or internally.

Still, thinking about whether it is right for you or not? Find out by knowing more about our business VoIP solution for:

Startup Business

Enterprise Business

Call Centre

Education

Fianancial Services

IT

Health Care

Non-Profit

Retail

How To Switch VoIP?

Now you know most about VoIP. It is an advanced technology bringing significant change to business communication. With VoIP, organisations can make and receive calls using an internet connection
It brings numerous benefits for businesses, such as lower calling costs, reduced initial setup and hardware costs, flexibility, and scalability.
After that, you must decide whether you need a physical or cloud-based server setup. Then choose if you require software-based VoIP calls using your office computers or go for a VoIP phone system . No matter what you decide, it will take less time to set up the system than the traditional calling system.  

Switch to our VoIP system with a free trial.

How does VoIP works
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How To Start VoIP Business?

VoIP Business is telephone service over the internet. VoIP has been around for a while now and is adopted worldwide by pretty much every organisation (startups, SMEs and even enterprises), and is the first choice for any organisation looking for a new phone system.

Create Your Profile

First, you need to signup and select a plan that suits your requirements.

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Get Your Team Energised!

Select A Plan

We provide a free plan to get every small business up and running with virtually no cost. or trial or large packages for 30 days free*.

Use your assigned UK number

When you sign up, we give you a free UK landline telephone number (that’s yours forever*) – provided that you use it.

setup virtual phone numbers easily in VoIP business

What Is VoIP Business

VoIP is telephone service over the internet. VoIP has been around for a while now and is adopted worldwide by pretty much every organisation (startups, SMEs and even enterprises), and is the first choice for any organisation looking for a new phone system.

voip video calling made simple

Ways To Connect

You have three ways to connect to our VoIP Business hosted / Cloud telephone system.

Web Phone

Use our web phone (works on all popular browsers).

Soft Phone

Our soft phone is available on any device with any web browser.

IP Phone

We have a good selection of business-grade desk and office phones.

Mobile App

Our mobile app is in progress that would integrate also other CRMs.

voip features vsm

Use Case Of Current Customers

Here is a typical use case for some of our current customers. The user will never have to miss a call and can dial out using their business phone at anytime.

At Work

At work, they have a business grade IP phone, like a Cisco 7820.

At Home

At home, they can use a or webphone or Smartphone.

On To Go

Or when they are on the go, they can just use their smartphone with our app.

Personal Number

Or you can also use a telephone number like your personal mobile number as an extension.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to migrate my phone number to VoIPBusiness?

Pretty much quickly, most happen within 7 days whilst others take about 10 days, it depends on your provider. We have migrated some clients in less than 72 hours, so you’re in safe hands.

What if I need more that one number, how many can I purchase?

You can definitely buy a single number or a block of numbers. For example, if you need a block of 10 successive numbers for your business, we’ll book it for you to order. You can purchase up to 1000 numbers at one go.

Can I port any number?

Of course you can, we handle any number, whether is a non-geographic number, local number or international number. Just let us know how many numbers you wish to migrate and we’ll arrange for that.

Do you cover all areas in the UK for geographic numbers?

You name any area in the UK, we’ve got numbers for them. Just choose your numbers and if you have multiple offices around the country, feel free to pick out the numbers the most relevant to you.

Will my old provider charge me fees for transferring the number away?

If some providers are stuck in the dark ages, then they might do, but most don’t. We don’t charge to port your number to us either, so you enjoy a stress-free number porting.

Can I send/receive FAX and SMS?

Sure, we have SMS and Fax enabled numbers, when you get in touch with us, let one of our advisors know and we;ll sort it out for you.

Is my business eligible for VoIP?

Pretty much quickly, most happen within 7 days whilst others take about 10 days, it depends on your provider. We have migrated some clients in less than 72 hours, so you’re in safe hands.

Will I need to change my handsets?

Of course you can, we handle any number, whether is a non-geographic number, local number or international number. Just let us know how many numbers you wish to migrate and we’ll arrange for that.

Is VoIP as reliable as a traditional phone system?

If some providers are stuck in the dark ages, then they might do, but most don’t. We don’t charge to port your number to us either, so you enjoy a stress-free number porting.

Do I have to change my number?

You can definitely buy a single number or a block of numbers. For example, if you need a block of 10 successive numbers for your business, we’ll book it for you to order. You can purchase up to 1000 numbers at one go.

How’s the quality of VoIP calls?

You name any area in the UK, we’ve got numbers for them. Just choose your numbers and if you have multiple offices around the country, feel free to pick out the numbers the most relevant to you.

What do I have to do to make a VoIP call?

Sure, we have SMS and Fax enabled numbers, when you get in touch with us, let one of our advisors know and we;ll sort it out for you.

How does VoIP works

Try VoIPBusiness Today

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