The Basics of VoIP - Is It a Smart Choice for You?

While most people use a cell phone as their primary phone line now, most businesses still need the reliability of a landline. There’s another alternative, however, that more and more people and businesses are considering – VoIP.. Its cheap rates make it worth considering for any home or business. If you’re thinking about switching to VoIP, here’s some more information that can help you decide if it’s right for you.

 

How Does VoIP Work?

VoIP works using an Internet connection. Just like with mobiles or landlines, there are many different VoIP providers. If you want to use VoIP through a landline telephone, you will need to connect an adaptor to your phone. If you want to use VoIP through your smartphone, you’ll need to download a mobile app. You can also use VoIP through your computer, which sometimes requires you to download desktop software. In each case, it’s relatively easy to set up a VoIP line, and you can do it yourself without requiring a service appointment.

 

Is VoIP Reliable?

The biggest concern with VoIP is reliability. Especially if you use VoIP for your business, you can’t afford to have any service interruptions. VoIP uses your Internet connection, so its reliability is inextricably linked to the reliability of your Internet service. Before choosing VoIP, you must consider how strong your Internet connection is. If you frequently lose your connection or have a very weak connection, VoIP might not be the best choice for you. If you have a strong Internet connection that rarely gives you any problems, VoIP would be equally reliable for you and a viable option for your home or business.

 

Is the Quality Good?

VoIP technology has improved by leaps and bounds in recent years. In the past, the quality of VoIP wasn’t extremely good, which made it a poor choice for businesses. Lately, however, improvements have given VoIP the potential to have call quality that’s comparable to landlines. The quality of your VoIP will depend on the provider you choose, which is why it’s important to thoroughly research potential providers. You want to pick a company that has a good reputation in your area. For example, if you live in Westchester, New York, a provider would be Steadfast VoIP services in that particular location and choose a company that has a good reputation for quality, as well as efficient customer service.

 

What are the Major Concerns?

The biggest concerns people have with using VoIP is that if their Internet connection is down, they’ll be unable to make or receive phone calls. If there is an unexpected power outage, you won’t have access to VoIP. In an emergency situation, you must be able to call 911, no matter what. If get VoIP, make sure to register your address so that 911 operators will automatically know where you’re calling from. Because VoIP is tied to your Internet connection, it’s often recommended that you keep your landline telephone as a backup, especially if your business relies on the phone.

 

If you switch to VoIP for your home or business, you can save lots of money on your inbound and outbound phone calls. As long as you understand the risks of your phone line being tied to your Internet connection and have a backup plan in case of emergency, VoIP may be a genuinely good option for you.

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