Business VoIP Rendering Landlines Obsolete

Could it be that one day landline phones might join the likes of the VCR, cassette tape, and answering machine? A report from the Associated Press reveals that landline phones are quickly being made obsolete by advancements in mobile and business VoIP technologies that might call for its complete retirement by the year 2025.

The use of both personal and business VoIP has many benefits over traditional phone services have caused many to recently jump ship. The AP conveyed that in the state of New York alone, the use of landline phones had decreased by more than half over the past decade. 

The main benefit of VoIP technology is the ability to slash costs. Networks vary greatly with regard to installation complexity, but even the most sophisticated VoIP systems can save companies hard-earned cash in the long term. ComputerWorld.com reports that the Seattle Times Company realized cost savings of $48,000 in 2001 after making the switch to business VoIP. The company also was able to reduce its cabling fees by nearly 50 percent.

Another success story is that of Oregon Corrections Enterprises. According to a recent article found on the Resource Nation, when its contact center needed to scale operations without increasing costs, it decided VoIP technology was right for the job. After only two months of operation with the new system, the company realized a 40 percent savings in telecommunication fees. 

VoIP services also provide features unknown to regular landline phone systems. With personal and business VoIP alike, callers can participate in multi-party conversations, take advantage of instant messaging, call forwarding, and call recording, as well as review voicemails over e-mail. 

Companies making the switch to business VoIP can also expect a range of other benefits. The technology permits users to retain one phone number anywhere in the world, allowing consistency regardless of location. Calls can be placed from any system device, always displaying the same number on the receiving caller ID. In addition, VoIP enables calls to be forwarded to many different types of phones such as home, office or cell – a definite plus for today’s mobile workforce. 

Using a VoIP hosted server is also great for emergency recovery. If a natural disaster should strike, lines of communication will stay up and running. And in the event that the office is shut down, service to VoIP phones can be easily transferred to a computer or mobile device. Data such as voicemail that is hosted by the cloud should be backed up for easy access from any location. 

An added benefit of business VoIP is detailed reporting of call activity, including number of calls dialed, percentage answered, call duration, and cost per call. Because of VoIP advantages over landline systems, market research company, Infonetics Research estimates that by 2015, revenues for the VoIP industry will exceed $75 billion, with a client count of over $400 million.


Edited by Jamie Epstein