VOIP - Frequently Asked Questions

Why is VoIP so special?

VoIP is simply about making your voice into data and transferring it over the internet. And now thanks to faster broadband connections and advancement of technology, companies and individuals are able to make uninterrupted business-quality calls over the internet for a fraction of the cost of normal calls.

Why are the costs so low?

VoIP turns a standard internet connection into a way to make phone calls and this enables you to bypass the phone company, its switches, routers, and its call charges. Only if you call another phone number and your VoIP provider will have to route your call to the regular landline phone exchange then the call will be charged for.

Is there more than one type of VoIP?

There are generally 3 different ways of making VoIP calls: Hybrid IP PBX, Hosted VoIP and software based IP telephone system. All have different hardware and software requirements. These different requirements have an effect on the price and flexibility of the solution.

Can I have any number I choose?

Due to the nature of IP telephony (SIP protocol), many providers are able to offer virtual numbers. This allows you to choose your own area code to match your requirements. For example, you could choose a London code to make your business seem more central. Alternatively, if you have employees working from home, in different towns, or even abroad, they can choose one set area code.

Advantages of VoIP:

• Number portability: if you move office the number will move with you
• Geographical presence: your office may be in Aberdeen but you can still have a London number
• Reduced tariffs: by sharing the same IP resources the same connection can be used by multiple users therefore reducing rental and call cost
• Flexibility: you can easily add one or more phone lines without having an engineer on-site

Disadvantages of VoIP:

• Quality: you need to be aware that the quality of your voice calls is as good as your broadband line. If the broadband is poor you will be just another frustrated VoIP user in the market!
• Failover: as for the case of Hosted PBX if the broadband goes down you won't be able to make any calls. Therefore it is crucial to have a PBX with a form of failover in place: ISDN, Analogue or a second broadband connection from a different network/provider