In the dynamic world of communication technology, VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) has become an efficient and versatile solution for all business sizes. But myths and misconceptions often surround it due to little information on what they are and how they work.
VoIP phones are similar to regular phones. But instead of telephone wiring, VoIP phones use an internet connection. VoIP service turns audio messages into digital codes, which will be sent online. It will then be received by another VoIP or a regular phone, where its digital code will be turned into audio signals.
This article will address the common myths and misconceptions that may have prevented you from embracing this transformative communication tool. By the time you reach the end of this article, we hope you’ll have the insights you’ll need to make informed choices that can empower your business with unified communications.
Myth #1: VoIP Phones Require High Internet Speed
VoIP phones will need a minimum of 90-100 kilobits per second of internet speed for a quality voice call. This means that even with a low Internet speed of less than 15 megabits, VoIP phone communication can carry through. Another advantage of VoIP phones is that because they work online, they do not go down even in power outages as long as there’s an internet connection.
Myth #2 VoIP Phones Are Not Secure
The security of VoIP communications will depend on your phone service. At F2F Telecommunications, every plan has a firewall to maintain your phone system’s security. A firewall protects your network and devices by verifying incoming data, where it comes from, and whether they are safe. A firewall makes your network less vulnerable to hackers.
Myth #3: VoIP Phones are Expensive
It will depend on the type of VoIP phone system you want to use. A cloud-hosted VoIP phone system costs $10-30 per user monthly. An on-premise VoIP phone system costs $500-1,000 per user. At F2F Telecommunications, our standard monthly plan starts at $35 per telephone for all the necessary hardware and support.
Myth #4: VoIP Phones aren’t Widely Used
The use of VoIP is growing in the US due to its ability to strengthen communications and increase savings. About 31% of businesses use VoIP phone systems. Companies have reaped the rewards of switching to VoIP, such as experiencing 50-75% savings and increased productivity in mobile workers by 67%.
Myth #5: VoIP Phones are for Tech Companies Only
Due to their efficient ability to solve problems through communications, businesses from industries beyond tech companies benefit from adopting VoIP phone systems. Financial institutions can now provide personalized solutions at lower costs. Hospitality professionals automatically receive the right calls to address. E-commerce businesses can guarantee customer satisfaction through online phone communications. Even real estate agents use this phone system to generate and nurture leads.
Myth #6: VoIP Phones Can’t Be Used with Existing Devices
You can still use existing devices by integrating them into your VoIP system. Analog Telephone Adapters can connect regular phones and fax machines to VoIP. Note that this can be an added cost.
Myth #7: VoIP Will Make You Lose Your Phone Numbers
You can keep your existing phone number through porting. Porting means we transfer your current phone number to your VoIP phone system. The Federal Communications Commission mandates this so consumers can assign their phone numbers to any service provider.
Myth #8: VoIP Phones are Challenging to Install
A cloud-hosted VoIP phone system is easy to install when it includes all the necessary hardware. It’s a bonus if said hardware is a plug-and-play type. This means you can use it immediately after plugging it with minimal configurations. Hosted VoIP phone systems are also easy to install as they require less hardware using business phone apps over desk phones.
If you want to know what to look for in a VoIP phone system, see our “Top 10 Features to Look for in a VoIP Phone System.”