The Future of Telephony: Is It All About VoIP?

U.S.-based businesses have long known that to be effective in communications and all that it encompasses, relying on legacy telephone systems is going to be the weight that holds you back from competing. While it seems there is a new technology out every five minutes, the common denominator for new features and processes has always been IP. VoIP has offered many benefits, whether it’s cheaper bills, better apps and services, and simply a better connection.

It seems not all countries are equipped or as excited about IP telephony as U.S. counterparts. According to ITespresso Germany, by the end of 2018, the German Telekom wants to switch all phone connections in Germany to VoIP. Instead of being met with excitement over new features and cost-saving measures, the rush towards IP meant overburdened networks, leading to choppy, inconsistent connections, and so those who relied on it felt it was, well, unreliable.

VoIP is woefully misunderstood for its voice quality in that too many are under the impression that it is inferior. This simply isn’t true. Broadband has improved over the years, so VoIP has improved as well. Today, packets are able to travel through the Internet extremely fast, delivering crisp, clear VoIP at a fraction of the cost of traditional telephony. At least, that’s how it is here in the U.S.

Also, some telecom decision makers feel that VoIP is insecure, but the truth of the matter is there are plenty of sophisticated defense measures like firewalls, redundancy and encryption to ensure solid, reliable security. VoIP is safe in the same way online banking is safe, as they share the same data lines.

There was a time when installing new communications systems came with complex equipment, too many wires and a lot of headaches, but VoIP today is easy to install. The connection it makes to a computer network means there is little upfront work. Moreover, now that we have cloud technology, businesses just have to plug in and go.

While the technology isn’t impervious to disruption, there are tools to help mitigate latency issues, connection problems, and other problems that arise with any Internet connection, including network monitoring, network troubleshooting, network planning, and regulatory compliance. To dismiss the technology all together would be foolish; with VoIP, new applications are being developed all the time. Web-enabled call centers, remote telecommuting, collaborative white boarding and even applications for personal productivity such as the unified messaging and “follow me” services make VoIP a multifaceted solution.

There is no doubt that the way in which VoIP services are delivered is changing how businesses communicate. With its low costs, the convenience and portability and advanced communication features, VoIP benefits everyone from individuals to small offices and large enterprises.