Better Choices by Need

What is the difference between VoIP and landline?

The main difference between a VoIP phone and a landline is that a landline is hardwired to a physical location using copper wire. VoIP calls, on the other hand, make and receive calls over the Internet and are not tied to a specific location. Traditional telephones use analog lines to transmit voice signals. If making calls, additional wiring must be installed.VoIP

 

How does VoIP work?

Voice over IP converts your voice into digital files, compresses them, and sends them over the Internet. A VoIP service provider (much like your internet service provider) sets up the call. Many people choose VoIP over traditional landlines because of the lower start-up costs involved and because they can use the Internet to make calls, saving them long distance charges. Voice over IP uses the Internet Protocol, which is an essential part of the Internet. IP telephony is a huge innovation in the century-old telecommunications system.

Voice over IP converts your voice into digital files, compresses them, and sends them over the Internet. A VoIP service provider (much like your internet service provider) sets up the call. Many people choose VoIP over traditional landlines because of the lower start-up costs involved and because they can use the Internet to make calls, saving them long distance charges. Voice over IP uses the Internet Protocol, which is an essential part of the Internet. IP telephony is a huge innovation in the century-old telecommunications system.

For phone calls, conversations are exchanged using small packets. The internet can send these packets around the world in less than a second. For Internet telephony, these packets are transmitted between your phone and the VoIP provider. A VoIP phone system facilitates calls between other phones or with another phone company. It also provides other useful features like voicemail, call forwarding, call recording, etc.

In four steps, here's how VoIP works.

• Connect your phone to your Local Area Network (LAN).
• Switches or routers. When you dial a phone number, your IP phone tells your VoIP service provider to call.
• Your VoIP service establishes the call and exchanges data packets from your IP phone.
• Exchange packets. Your VoIP phone converts these digital signals back into sound that you can hear.

Voice over Internet Protocol bypasses the phone company entirely. You can use VoIP wherever you have a broadband internet connection.
This is a major upgrade from the analog phone system.
You used to need expensive proprietary equipment to use VoIP — but that was over 20 years ago! Today, VoIP is built on open standards such as the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP). SIP provides complete interoperability between different desk phones, conference phones, and VoIP applications. The cloud-based PBX handles functions such as voicemail, conferencing and call routing. They are like full-service phone companies that you control yourself. All you need is a broadband internet connection (cable, DSL or fiber) and you'll get all the benefits of VoIP.

• Lower cost – Many consumers and businesses have realized substantial cost savings and reduced phone bills by more than 60%.
• High-quality sound – There's a noticeable difference in call quality so the audio isn't muffled.
• Advanced features –Run your business with advanced features such as auto attendants, call recording and call queues. The are usually included in business phone service plans.
• Business phone numbers for a remote work team – No matter where you work, you can use your phone service. If you work from home, you don't need any technical setup. The good news is that VoIP desk phones aren't expensive, and you can even get them for free from a VoIP service provider. Additionally, the provider includes a mobile app that you can use on your desktop or mobile device to make calls instead of a traditional cell phone.