Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) calling is huge right now – for small- to medium-sized businesses (SMBs), VoIP and SIP phones have become particularly advantageous in helping them achieve their overall business objectives cost-efficiently, while at the same time, working to become a key player among today’s ultra-competitive and varied landscape. But how did the telephone number evolve to eventually encompass VoIP? Let’s take a look back…
Last week, an article was released by Digital Journal explaining how VoIP will cost the global telecom industry $479 billion until 2020. The article even goes so far to say that VoIP “has become one of the staples of modern day technology.” It only makes sense, too; millions of individuals nationwide boast Internet-connected devices that reside in the palm of their hands, in the pockets of their pants and in their bags and/or purses.
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The article continues by citing one company, VoipClub, who offers low rates worldwide and provides virtual numbers, or a telephone number that doesn’t have a directly-associated telephone line. The article continues to explain exactly how this service works:
VoipClub users have the option of making phone calls over the Internet for free to another computer. Users are charged per minute for making calls to landlines or sending out text messages. The rates vary from country to country and are priced in euros: 0.074 euros ($0.09) for a text message to the U.S. or 0.0089 euros ($0.11) for telephone call to the U.S.
What’s even better, a huge and quite beneficial feature of making VoIP calls is Direct Inward Dialing, or DID, which enables users to establish their own telephone number worldwide, as well as provides others (ie. their family and friends) with the advantageous ability of being able to call them by using their local nation number – all for free.
Some additional features of using a DID include:
- No setup fees
- Differentiating monthly rates (the rate varies from nation to nation, so depending on where you are based, this could be quite helpful)
- Referral incentives (refer someone, get your rate lowered)
DID can also be utilized for businesses, such as inbound call centers, who can use inbound DID numbers to achieve a wide array of benefits.
To think that something as basic as making a phone call has evolved so drastically is pretty incredible, and with new technology, that’s exactly what has – and undoubtedly what will continue – to happen.
To check out Digital Journal’s report in full, click here.
Edited by Ashley Caputo