The Rise of VoIP and the Future it Holds
Published on 15 May 15
James1
VoIP is a technology whereby both voice and multimedia is delivered over the internet. It has some distinct advantages over calls using traditional telephone lines. Here we look at the benefits offered by wholesale VoIP providers and the technology’s future evolution.
Reduced Costs
For global scale businesses like BoConcept, VoIP can offer considerable cost savings. While there is initial expense with set up costs this is quickly clawed back by the requirement to operate only one network for data, instead of one for data and one for voice calls. IT departments can therefore focus all their energies on the maintenance and management of one network and IT staff can concentrate their expertise around this key technology.
VoIP costs are also reduced for private consumers as there usually no subscription charges outside their usual broadband package. In addition, the costs for the calls themselves, particularly long distance and international, are much lower.
Multimedia Options
Whereas calls used to be about voice only, in today’s social media society there is a need for rich media services including: voice and video calls; instant messaging; image transfer; screen share; and online chat. VoIP makes this possible as it integrates seamlessly with other applications and protocols.
This integration is a great benefit to businesses as their websites can become a portal from where they can communicate directly to potential customers through various means. So for example there could be a click-to-call service offered on a website or even a voice call button embedded in an email. Gone are the days when potential clients only had one way to respond to a business. If they receive an email now and want to get in touch for more information or to purchase, all they need to do is click a button and they can be immediately talking to one of the company’s customer care or sales agents.
For consumers this is also an advantage as there is little need to wait around for a business to get back to you, you can have your query answered straight away.
Phone Number Portability
A landline phone network traditionally used within most businesses and homes assigns a phone number to a dedicated line. This means that when you move it is quite a hassle to take the number with you. However, the issue is removed with the use of VoIP, as the phone can use the number almost anywhere as long as it has the correct connectivity via IP. This is great for a private consumer and even more beneficial for business people who can now always be reached whether they are in or out of the office.
Easy to Modify By the User
Incorporated within most VoIP services is a graphical user interface which makes it easy for the user to change options quickly. This can include any of the following information: they can let callers know if they are online or offline and therefore available or not; they can accept some people’s calls automatically while blocking others they don’t want to hear from and sending them direct to voice-mail; they can add music-on-hold options easily; add speed-dial numbers for regular contacts; and change call forwarding details. This makes the service much more valuable for both large and small businesses. For example, a sole trader can now handle call numbers which would previously have called for a larger team.
VoIP technology is now much easier to access and many businesses are finding ever more uses for it. Even Google has incorporated it within their Ad-words campaigns with their ‘Click to Call’ feature and this has led to 40% of searchers in the UK making over 40 million calls a month. According to Telecom Reseller the VoIP service sector is expected to be worth $82.7 billion globally by 2017 and with our ever increasing reliance on mobile technology this is one service with a bright future.
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VoIP telephone system is mostly used for Business nowadays to get the immediate result from the customers but at the same time VoIP has been blocked in certain countries like UAE to avoid illegal activities.