The landline phone is going the same wayward path as VCRs, cassette tapes, and typewriters – the path of extinction. As technology rapidly progresses, only the strongest and best-suited survive; even electronics must struggle to not succumb the age-old battle of survival of the fittest.
According to this Billing World
report, new research from Axvoice, an Internet phone service provider, shows that saturation of mobile smartphones and advancements in technology are crowding out dinosaurs like the landline phone for personal and business use. In its place are unified communication devices and the VoIP call center, providing a better fit with current communication needs.
By 2015, Axvoice estimates that U.S. homes with regular telephone service will fall dramatically from 151 million to 135 million users. However, that same time period will also see a jump in the number of wireless customers from 275 million subscribers in 2010 to 450 million subscribers just five years later.
The use of VoIP technology is expanding even faster due to the realization of significant cost savings. As a result, the popularity of the VoIP call center has grown and that usage of at-home VoIP applications has become mainstream.
For example, a VoIP call center would pay $600 a year for one landline phone, as compared to just $100 a year for a VoIP phone. According to Axvoice study data, there are currently 22 million people taking advantage of VoIP services, but that number will increase to 66 million by 2015.
There are several reasons why landlines might not make it to the next generation. As mentioned previously, cost is a big factor. Users must pay a rental fee for using a landline, which can be fairly expensive.
Landlines also cannot compete with HD voice quality offered by other networks. The medium used to support landlines – copper wiring – is antiquated and is not reliable. And, today’s world is mobile, the landline is not.
VoIP phones have several advantages over even traditional wireless phones, which is why they are the obvious choice for the VoIP call center. Whereas a wireless phone costs less than a landline to operate, it still costs $300 more per year for service than a VoIP phone.
In addition, wireless phones are limited by their coverage networks, resulting in dropped calls and expensive roaming fees when leaving the coverage area. International calls are also much more expensive on a cellular phone than with one using VoIP technology.
Traditional landline phones are losing popularity because the public wants access to VoIP service offerings. The explosion of the VoIP call center can be attributed to cost savings and features of VoIP technology such as backlisting, call log recording, call forwarding, three-way calling, and Internet account management.
By 2015, those utilizing VoIP services will reach approximately 70 million people. And, the demand for mobile VoIP continues to increase as cellular technology keeps pace with today’s work environment.
Edited by Jamie Epstein