4 Common Myths about VoIP Debunked

Though Voice over Internet Protocol or VoIP is rapidly gaining in popularity and acceptance, there’s still some hesitation on the part of business users to adopt the new systems. Much of this stems from misconceptions about the technology and its performance.

In its early days, VoIP did have teething problems and performance issues. But the truth of VoIP today is in stark contrast to some of those commonly held myths, like…

1. The Sound Quality Is Inherently Poor

As VoIP depends on internet technology to convert voice signals into digital data, there was some truth to this in the early days of sporadic, low-speed connectivity. Complaints included dropped calls and intermittent or muddy sounding voices.

VoIP sound quality is dependent on the available bandwidth, and today’s broadband networks offer business-class service which is optimized for voice transmission, and actually gives voice signals priority over other forms of data. The result is that VoIP sound is typically equal to landline quality or better, and superior to cell phone quality in most cases.

2. VoIP Won’t Save You That Much Money

Unlimited local and long-distance calls and international calls at fixed rates lower than landlines or mobile services are part of the typical VoIP package. Especially with a hosted PBX solution, set up and management costs are minimal – much less than for traditional phone hardware. It’s possible for enterprise phone costs to be reduced by 70% or more, if a switch is made to VoIP.

3. It’s Difficult To Install And Maintain

With a hosted VoIP system, users don’t need to install anything complex themselves. The service provider sets up and configures your managed router, verifies the state of your internet connections, and gives guidance and technical assistance in setting up all your VoIP connected phones. Many devices come pre-configured out of the box – all you have to do is plug them in.

The major infrastructure for a hosted system is remotely managed by your service provider. Adjustments to your plan (adding or removing lines, etc.) can be made via web-based management software that’s easy to use.
4. VoIP Is Unreliable And Unsafe

A VoIP service is only as “unreliable” as the internet connection that backs it up. Calls can of course be affected by internet service interruptions, network latency, or power outages – but making provisions for sufficient bandwidth (whether as a network host or service provider) can guard against many of these concerns.

Service providers have measures in place like automatic failover or re-routing of calls to mobile phones, for ensuring business continuity during blackouts, natural disasters, or other emergencies. And VoIP systems are actually less susceptible to eavesdropping and security leaks than landlines – though users should ensure that their own network security is in place with measures like encryption and properly configured firewalls.