VoIP Phone System Requirements | Basic Things to Consider

VoIP, or voice-over-internet protocol, provides a rapidly growing alternative to traditional phone systems. VoIP calls are also called internet telephony as it does not necessarily need telephone lines to communicate with other persons and can be channeled across the intranet and internet. However, the implementation of internet telephony is very different between the corporate and enterprise market and small businesses, home offices, and consumer applications.

Basic Requirements for a VoIP Phone System

Primarily, there are basic requirements for a VoIP phone system to work for you: a fast-speed internet like DSL, a computer or other terminal, and an adapter. Though VoIP Phone Systems can also work on slow-speed internet connections they hinder smooth communication and annoy the users. So, it is recommended even to pause all other downloads while using VoIP. Hence a fast speed internet is the first need.

Hardware

The second need is related to the hardware. A computer is typically required to use VoIP services. That means there are some specific clients who prefer not to use a computer for this purpose, in such a case the VoIP service provider may give them the necessary alternative equipment to connect with VoIP; Vonage is such a company that does not need computers to give VoIP services.

VoIP Network

However, the majority of VoIP Phone Systems use a computer as the terminal. The second hardware required to connect with a VoIP network is a headphone to communicate with others. These headphones are available in the market or you can buy a VoIP head set for this purpose. These headsets are specially designed to VoIP functions and a VoIP services provider can give you one if you want to have one.

Software Installment

Software installment is the third and last need to connect with a VoIP network. Putting a glance at the top three VoIP service providers i.e. Google, Skype, and Vonage; we come to know that only Skype requires its software installment to let VoIP users use its services. However, most of VoIP service providers must have their software installments for using their VoIP services. Most of this softwares is freely available for download.

Verdict

If you are paying lots of money on business communications, you can cut these bills down to a reasonable level by using VoIP services. Of course, this has implications - call quality is typically very poor over the internet, and so this is seldom used in the corporate or enterprise markets.