VoIP, or Voice over Internet Protocol is a communications technology in which voice calls, as well as video and data, are transmitted over the internet, from a physical broadband connection through to wireless 4G or Wi-Fi connectivity.
This technology is replacing traditional phone-systems that rely on the PSTN (public switched telephone network) to establish calls, along with physical hardware on your business premises, like a switchboard or PBX (private brand exchange) to route callers to the right location. The PSTN and all associated services will be discontinued by 2025, including digital solutions including ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network).
Rather than relying on old infrastructure and on-premises hardware, VoIP relies on purpose-built software to handle calls intelligently and cost-effectively via existing internet connectivity, breaking free from the physical constraints associated with traditional phone systems.
A single physical phone line, for example, can only be associated with a single phone number. With VoIP, users, phone lines and phone numbers are all virtual, meaning many users can be associated with a single phone number and vice versa.
VoIP converts and compresses analogue audio into digital data packets, which are then transmitted via the Internet. This data is then de-compressed, and the sounds are heard at the other end through a VoIP phone handset or soft client such as a mobile or desktop application.
The key benefits of VoIP are flexibility and scalability – businesses can easily add and remove users as needed, and users can work from anywhere since it is possible to make calls to and from business numbers via any mobile or desktop device with connectivity.
VoIP is also a cost-effective solution - usually much cheaper than traditional business phone systems. Furthermore, because VoIP is cloud-based, it means you wouldn’t need to worry about any maintenance costs.
Additionally VoIP solutions such as Yay are much more than phone systems, also incorporating video, chat, file-sharing, presence, SMS, CRM integrations, and more, all within a single pane of glass. This is often referred to as Unified Communications.
Alongside this, organisations can seamlessly integrate their other business critical systems and apps with video, chat and calls for communication and collaboration, keeping them closer to their customers and team members than ever before.
The cost of a VoIP plan can vary based on number of users, numbers, minutes and features associated with it. A VoIP plan can cost as little as a cup of coffee. View and estimate the cost of our plans using our plan comparison page.
A VoIP plan can be purchased online. There is no need for physical installation as everything from apps to phones can be set up remotely. To purchase VoIP on our site, simply pick your plan and number of extensions, choose a phone number and checkout.
To discover more about VoIP and its techologies, view our in-depth guide, What Is VoIP.
If you need any further help today, please don't hesitate to contact our friendly support team on 0330 122 6000 or by email!