Virtual Office Featured Article

Virtual Office Podcast: Hosted HD Voice Delivers Optimal Quality

February 17, 2010
By Susan J. Campbell, TMCnet Contributing Editor

The idea of high definition business phone service may not mean much to the average individual, but for anyone who has relied on the phone to be their key source of communication with clients or colleagues, a move to use something like HD voice creates a better experience for all.


Last October, Phone.com launched its new hosted High Definition Business Phone (News - Alert) service. This new service is an extension of the company’s successful Virtual Office offering.

In a recent podcast, Phone.com’s Chief Technology Officer Alon Cohen (News - Alert) noted that HD voice is a popular feature among a number of businesses as companies are increasingly employing individuals who work from home.
When using HD voice, individuals experience a better communication experience. They can communicate easier as they hear the other party or parties more clearly. In addition, Cohen said it’s easy to use and helps promote better collaboration.

One of the biggest benefits Cohen highlighted is sound quality. Too often, during phone communications, users have to repeat things or spell words out to be the other party can completely understand. When using HD voice, that stumbling block is completely eliminated.

With Phone.com’s (News - Alert) hosted HD Business Phone Service, Phone.com customers need to do nothing more than to access this free service. It is easily available for anyone who wants to use it. The quality is measurably better than anything clients have used in the past and they are sure to enjoy to experience.
 
While the telephony industry has definitely changed more in the last 10 years than it has in the last 100, there is one very obvious change. Providers used to compete on price and were constantly fighting an uphill battle. Now, providers are competing on quality and in the end – the consumer wins, Cohen said.

One very prominent extension of this capability is the partnership between Phone.com and Skype. Now, hundreds of millions of Skype (News - Alert) users can call Phone.com customers using HD voice and enjoying newfound sound and voice quality.
 
What does the future hold for Phone.com’s service? Cohen definitely sees extending the capabilities of the service as companies are working together to develop new interoperability on the back-end. The quality is certainly in demand and now that this bar has been set – the only acceptable direction is up.
 
To hear the podcast in full, click here.


Susan J. Campbell is a contributing editor for TMCnet and has also written for eastbiz.com. To read more of Susan’s articles, please visit her columnist page.

Edited by Amy Tierney

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