The Pros and Cons of VoIP Phones

Voice over IP (otherwise known as VoIP) phone systems allows two parties to make calls through an IP network, rather than a traditional PSTN system. A quickly growing technology, small businesses and large corporations are quickly realizing the benefits of this phone system and taking advantage of the savings, portability, and flexibility. But like any new technology, VoIP phones are not without their own little quirks. Carefully considering both the pros and cons can help you decide whether a VoIP phone is right for your business or personal use.

The Pros

In the recent years, both small and large businesses have been turning to VoIP phone systems, integrating the various advantages into their operations. The following are examples of a few benefits granted with VoIP phones:

Costs:
One of the main reasons why businesses turn to VoIP phone systems is due to the costs. Traditional phone systems can have the tendency to rack up enormous costs, causing a strain on their team and budget. On the other hand, VoIP phone systems are relatively inexpensive, as they rely on an Internet connection. Phone calls made through a VoIP system are free, and not subject to long distance and roaming fees typical with traditional systems.

Features:
VoIP phone systems offer a wealth of features beyond the standard calling function. Some of the many services of VoIP phones include call forwarding, call waiting, and call diverting. However, VoIP service providers typically do not charge customers for these additional features, compared to traditional providers. In addition, the Internet connection allows users to send data to each other, such as pictures, files and video.

The Cons
Despite the benefits, VoIP phones are not without their own disadvantages. Businesses considering to adopt these phone systems should consider the following:

Compatibility:
There is no single standard when it comes to VoIP phones, leading to the development of dozens of different types of systems. Some VoIP phones are “soft phones”, utilizing software through the computer, while others are use dedicated hardware and operate similar to traditional phones. But depending on the type of software used, some VoIP phones will only allow calls to others using the same system. When choosing a VoIP phone for business, make sure that it meets all of the needs and requirements.

Quality:
One of the main issues of VoIP phones arises from the relationship between quality and Internet connection. The transmission of sound is distributed and sent from one user to another, in the form of packets. If the individual has a poor Internet connection, than their call is likely to suffer and decrease in quality. However, as VoIP technology matures, quality problems are more likely to become an issue of the past.