VoIP is a generic term for a phone service used by businesses all over the world. It stands for voice over internet protocol, and simply means that you can access a phone service via your internet connection, rather than through a traditional phone network.
There are a variety of benefits for making this switch, from additional features and functionality, to lower fees than a typical phone network provider.
If you’re considering making the change to VoIP, it’s important to keep a number of things in mind to ensure a smooth and successful transition.
Ensure you have a strong, fast connection
A secure, fast internet connection is vital for VoIP, so this is one of the first areas to check before moving. A poor connection can mean low quality phone lines and dropped calls, which can be disastrous in some business situations.
As much as 75% of New Zealanders currently have Ultra-Fast Broadband, and that number is expected to rise sharply in coming years. However, as much as 60% of New Zealand homes and businesses have a better connection available that they aren’t using.
Check with your local service providers to see if you have the best connection available to you before moving to VoIP. The Chorus broadband checker can be a useful and quick tool to find out.
Find the right provider
There are many VoIP service providers around New Zealand you can choose from. The main tip to keep in mind is that you should be looking for a dedicated VoIP service.
Your IT company may offer a VoIP option, but keep in mind that IT providers are not focused on VoIP. When you select a service provider that works specifically in this area, you may benefit from lower rates, more features, more personalised service, and a support term that is always able to answer your questions, rather than passing you around the department.
Get the right handsets
One of the initial set up costs of switching to VoIP will be the investment in basic hardware – namely, handsets.
In some cases, you may be able to simply purchase an adapter to plug into your existing phones. However, phones designed specifically for VoIP use generally offer more features and can be of higher quality, so it’s a good idea to make the investment.
There are numerous VoIP handsets on the market, and you may need to consider how you will be using them in order to make a decision. For example, if you often host video conference calls, there are certain phones that offer this functionality. Some have touchscreens, some have HD voice quality, and some are pared back versions for the budget conscious.
Decide if you want to connect your alarm systems
Standard phone lines are optimised for alarm reporting signals, meaning that with an old phone system, you could easily hook up your alarms to be warned as soon as there is an issue.
With VoIP, the technology is a little different, and it largely depends on the provider and the security system as to whether or not the signal will be sent through. It is possible that the signal from your VoIP service is not recognised by your monitoring centre, which can obviously cause issues.
If you have an alarm system that is currently hooked into your phones, you will need to check whether your potential provider can supply a similar system with their VoIP service.
Should you have any questions about making the change or need to check whether Cloud Edge would be right for your home or business, be sure to contact the team today to find out more.
