Business owners and new entrepreneurs are mostly confused when choosing telephone services for their businesses. The reason is the presence of so many solutions like PSTN and advanced systems like VoIP telephone services. The most versatile and helpful of all these solutions is the VoIP technology that can be used with advanced and 'full-of-features' VoIP phone handsets. The technology is effortless to understand, and you can make and receive calls over the Internet with these handsets. This system has revolutionised the telecommunication industry across the globe. Another feature is that it is a cost-effective solution offering spectacular mobility and versatility.

WHAT IS A VOIP PHONE?

VoIP is a technology used with VoIP phone handsets and digital handsets that connect to the Internet and allow you to make and receive calls. Some people have a misconception that VoIP phones are limited to test phones for audio communication, but this is not true. Devices such as computers, smartphones, laptops, tablets, etc., can also serve the same purpose.

The technology behind these VoIP phones is very simple to understand. The VoIP phone picks up the sound and converts it into data packets sent via the Internet to the other side of the call. Once it reaches the receiver, the same technology decompresses all the data and converts it back into voice signals received by the receiver.

HOW IS VoIP AND PSTN DIFFERENT FROM EACH OTHER?

There is no doubt that VoIP phone systems are more advantageous than PSTN phone systems, but many people and companies across the globe still rely upon PSTN for various reasons. The most common reason they cite is what if the Internet goes down. According to the experts, if this kind of problem arises, VoIP technology provides several ways to continue connectivity to VoIP phone handsets.

• Route calls to different phones, including mobile phones.
• Test the uninterruptible power supply.
• Have an alternate service provider.
• Have a backup connection between your private phone and the Internet

You have to use one of the options mentioned above and you will have better technology than PSTN at a much affordable rate. Apart from this, there are several other benefits that VoIP technology and VoIP phone handsets can bring. Some of them are listed below.

IMPROVE BUSINESS'S PRODUCTIVITY

• You will have greater scalability, and not have to worry about adding or reducing lines.
• It will increase your mobility. You don't have to be in a fixed location, unlike PSTNs.
• VoIP systems allow you to avoid unnecessary payments. You only pay for what you are using.

WHAT ARE THE COMPONENTS OF VOIP DESK PHONES?

VoIP phone handsets are similar to those used in PSTN phone systems and have hardware and software components. This software part of these phones includes network components, VoIP protocols, media stream management protocols, etc. The hardware components include the following –

• Speakers and microphone
• Keyboard or touchpad
• Display, typically an LCD screen
• Signal and general-purpose processors
• Speech-to-digital and digital-to-speech converters
• Ethernet port or wireless network card
• A power source (either battery, power over Ethernet, or charging cable)

However, all VoIP phone systems and digital handsets don't need to have all these components. For example, if you have cordless VoIP phone systems, you will be free to move from one place to another and operate from a single base.

HOW MANY TYPES OF VOIP PHONE SYSTEMS ARE THERE?

VoIP phone handsets come in all shapes and sizes, and some don't even have a physical component. You can experience different phone systems at your office, and some details are presented here.

SOFTPHONES

Softphones mean no physical device, and in fact, a conventional software program or an app is there. Modern-day VoIP providers offer dedicated applications that are compatible with platforms such as Windows, Android, iOS, etc. These service providers allow users to install third-party software of their choice in their devices to access the VoIP account to make voice and video calls as well.

WHAT IS A DESK PHONE?

Then, we have desk phones that look like traditional office phone systems. These dedicated instruments come with advanced-quality components for better audio transmission. These digital handsets offer better call quality and reliability.

HOW ARE VOIP PHONE HANDSETS DIFFERENT FROM TRADITIONAL PHONE SYSTEMS?

There are no physical differences between VoIP desk phones and traditional phone systems used at our offices. From the outside, at least, they look similar, but the physical characteristics of VoIP phone systems are more advanced, as they have special buttons for dialling like redial, transfer calls, conference, hold, mute, and voicemail. These digital handsets deliver high-quality voice output, even if the call is from any international destination. However, power supply and access to high-speed Internet are two significant factors affecting VoIP phone handsets' functionality.

Some significant differences between standard phone systems and VoIP phone handsets are listed below.

• Use of the Internet to connect to the telephone network
• Need to register online with a service provider
• Your number will be linked to your account and not to a real phone number
• VoIP phones allow you to switch between simultaneous calls and deliver high-definition voice.
• Power over Ethernet (POE) allows some VoIP phones to receive power from a POE switch.

THERE ARE MANY SIMILARITIES BETWEEN THE TWO:

• Both phones share the same keypad
• They have the same buttons for specific actions like call transfer, call hold, etc.
• Physically, both have a very similar design.
• Both have headsets, receivers, loudspeakers, and other elements necessary for communication.

STEP INVOLVED IN SETTING UP VOIP PHONE HANDSETS

Setting up a VoIP phone is quite simple and you just follow the manufacturer's instructions. Here are a few simple steps taken to set up a VoIP phone.

CONNECT THE HANDSET

• Firstly, plug the handset into the handset port.

CONNECT TO ETHERNET PORT

• Find an Ethernet outlet and connect it to the IP phone.

POWER CABLE

• Now connect it to the IP phone.

LOCATE YOUR IP ADDRESS

• Visit the interface and find your IP address.

ENTER THE CREDENTIALS

• Now, you must enter the IP address in the search bar in any browser.
• Check the VoIP phone user guide.

SIP PROVIDER

• Now check with your VoIP provider for your SIP username and password.
• Check that your VoIP phone can make calls.