Virtual Office Resource

We’re no longer in an era where we have to stick with one landline carrier. The Internet has brought us different ways to communicate, ways that are cheaper, more efficient and containing more features that allow us to do more than just talk. Should companies get ready to hang up on their landlines?

It’s a mixed bag. Right now, for example, we’re seeing moving and shaking going on with the senate panel in Michigan to discontinue traditional landline services.

AT&T (News - Alert) one of the largest phone service providers in the state, wishes to streamline the process to phase out traditional landline service and go to entirely wireless or voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), mostly because maintaining both traditional and newer systems is cost prohibitive.  A state Senate committee approved the move, as new legislation passed that will allow phone companies to discontinue the service to homes so long as some type of newer phone service is offered, such as VoIP.

While VoIP, cell phones and other wireless communication methods can save money, landline stalwarts don't believe a switch is warranted. They argue that the cost of replacement technology can easily eclipse the savings recouped by not installing cable.

The main issue is that with traditional lines, taking advantage of mobile technologies is impossible. We’re living in an always-on, always-connected era, so much that companies are ditching their brick and mortar locations in favor of offices that practically exist on a mobile device. Virtual offices, which serve as a major advantage for small business with little start up money, cannot operate with traditional lines. If businesses want to reap the benefits of virtualization, Web conferencing, virtual meetings and mobile messaging, then it is most certainly time to ditch the landline and go IP/wireless.

Services like Phone (News - Alert).com offer low-cost virtual office options to keep your workforce connected, no matter where you are or what device you’re using. The advanced call handling and forwarding settings let you control where your incoming calls are sent. Users can forward incoming calls to their Phone.com (News - Alert) number straight to a mobile phone. Without IP and wireless, this wouldn’t be possible.

Moreover, landline phone services still have fewer number of players compared to VoIP. This low level of competition means higher profits for landline phone service providers and more costs for telephone subscribers to pay. Combined with traditional telephony’s limited features and its inability to go virtual, it’s a no brainer that IP wins when it comes to business communications.