SolveYourProblem
eLearning Series
VoIP (Voice
over Internet Protocol)
Making
the Switch To VoIP
by Jeff Cohen
Customers
have been using PSTN telephones for over 100 years. Based
on Circuit Switching, many people just aren’t ready to make
a change. It is the story of American history. Certain people
refused to buy televisions, thriving on their Old Time Radio
broadcasts, they never tried Cable television, and their
homes are still without computers. Yet time goes on and with
it, technology advances. Email has replaced the majority
of letter writing, and now advancement has come to the standard
landline telephone system.
Many
people are embracing the new technology that VoIP has initiated and
the many benefits that VoIP offers to everyday consumers.
It is said that the Government has an estimated $65 billion
dollars proposed for the year 2006 for VoIP migration.
So, if VoIP is good enough for Uncle Sam, it must be good
for you, right?
Well,
there are many companies that are providing VoIP services
and each plan varies, but overall, consumers are
making the switch and asking themselves why they didn’t make
the switch sooner. For residential, home businesses,
small and medium sized offices, and even business-to-business
transactions; VoIP is proving to be the best method for telecommunications.
First,
VoIP is cost effective. Most plans include unlimited
local and long distance calling and currently, VoIP is
not subject to the same taxations as applied to PSTN networks.
Small businesses are currently taking advantage of the
ability to have multi phones networked and integrated with
their computer systems and applications. This saves on
overall fees and increases productivity. Business-to Business
systems are embracing VoIP technology as they switch to
this infrastructure for their virtual call centers that
can handle customer service needs worldwide, 24 hours a
day, 7 days a week. With many companies choosing to outsource,
VoIP provides the technology needed for overseas employees
as well as creating more jobs for home workers. Many major
corporations and companies have already made the switch
to VoIP.
Second,
residential homeowners are opting for VoIP as
they advance with their computer skills. Computers are
appearing in more American homes every day, and many people
are already switching from slow dial up connections to
blazing fast high-speed connections. Once they become familiar
with the advantages broadband connections have, they may
experience some basic VoIP for free. Instant messaging
services now include free VoIP calls from one user to another
and this opens the doorway for residential customers to
experience VoIP technology. Yahoo Messenger has now added
their new Messenger with Voice, where callers can experience
VoIP from user to user.
Many
people have used the early stages of VoIP over the past decade
for free on the Internet; so many computer users who have
experienced the technology have already made the switch.
For
those who are new to the computer, commercials
such as Vonage are helping to introduce them to VoIP technology
and its advantages. Many people do prefer to switch because
of the cost effectiveness, but for others, there are more
reasons as well.
For
small businesses, VoIP offers a host of features
and services that are not available with PSTN. Things such
as integrating fax, voice, and data can bring potential
increase and productivity.
The
quality of VoIP is very good as well and there is a lot
of flexibility for users. One very substantial
fact is that VoIP subscribers can take their phone number
with them. The world is moving wireless, and with wireless
networks and laptop computers, the ability to bring your
phone number anywhere you have a High Speed Internet connection
has amazing benefits.
For
those who travel frequently with work, they can
continue to be productive in their field. This has new
potential to those in sales and other mobile employees.
The overall cost for companies is down and communication
is enhanced.
When
it comes to features, VoIP offers many and they are frequently
bundled in with your service package. Voice mail
is not limited to your phone, but is typically accessible
through the Internet with a control panel, as well as being
downloaded to your email account. This is just one example
of how VoIP integrates with other programs for greater
productivity.
Now
that you have a thorough understanding of the benefits of
VoIP, I am sure that you will make the switch as well.
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