Small businesses, independent contractors, and other smaller organizations don’t have to invest a lot of money into their communications infrastructure to seem like one of the big guys. In fact, with all of the mobile options available today, it’s almost silly to even bother going with a landline, as it allows the more financially-conscious small business to spend their dollars on only one solution. The best solution? Wireless.
In terms of start-ups, fixed communications is one of the biggest initial set-up costs. For most people, getting rid of a landline has little impact, since VoIP and mobile more than meet their needs. Businesses are starting to follow suit in getting rid of their traditional copper wire landlines. For one thing, they're expensive, because maintaining copper lines isn't cheap. For another, so many businesses are so mobile these days, an office full of hard-wired landlines isn't necessary.
Considerable cost savings offered by VoIP and mobile prompt many businesses to drop their landline systems. Many businesses with mobile employees use a VoIP system that can be used along with employees' mobile phones so callers can call an office number and reach their intended party whether they're in the office or out. With VoIP, businesses can cut monthly phone bills by half in some cases, even if call volume increases. For these business owners, there's no going back to a copper landline.
The cost-savings offered by VoIP and mobile plans make it very tempting to drop landline phone systems altogether. While VoIP plans have lower monthly fees, using a mobile option exclusively eliminates the extra expense of paying for two phone systems.
Technology changes every day, and some tools change more rapidly than others. As a small business owner, one of the toughest decisions you have to make is whether to stick to what's familiar or change with innovation.
As the telecommunications industry continues to undergo a transformation, business phone systems will change dramatically, too. Although traditional landlines have yet to reach obsolescence, to date, all signs point to VoIP and mobile technologies as the leads in phone systems.
Edited by Alisen Downey