The Pros And Cons Of Using VoIP Versus Landline Systems
There are many things to consider when choosing a phone system for your business. Between a landline and a VoIP phone system, you have to think of cost, reliability, and functionality, among others. Today, most people might opt for VoIP systems, but there are various benefits to using a landline. Keep reading to know which telephony solution is best for you.
What are the Pros and Cons of VoIP Systems?
Voice Over Internet Protocol or VoIP breaks up your voice into digital packets or electronic envelopes. These data packets travel through the internet to reach the receiver, who you are speaking with online. A VoIP system is popular among businesses that have their services online, but they are not for everyone.
Advantage #1: Low Costs
The primary benefit of using a VoIP system is its low cost. Since calls take place online, you only pay for internet access and not call minutes. Traditional phone systems can become expensive as the business scales since more departments mean additional phone lines and features like queuing or call transfers.
Advantage #2: More Connectivity
When you have a VoIP system, you can reach people anytime and anywhere. A VoIP phone automatically routes calls and enables you to receive and make calls wherever you access the internet.
Advantage #3: Better Sound And Functionality
Usually, the sound is clearer with VoIP than with analog phone lines. The clarity depends on your internet connection, though; slow connections also affect the call quality. Also, VoIP solutions offer more functionality than landlines. They allow you to host video calls, transmit multimedia files, and use features like call analytics, voicemail, anonymous call rejection, and voice-to-text transcription.
Disadvantage #1: Lack Of Emergency Call Service
Usually, the sound is clearer with VoIP than with analog phone lines. The clarity depends on your internet connection, though; slow connections also affect the call quality. Also, VoIP solutions offer more functionality than landlines. They allow you to host video calls, transmit multimedia files, and use features like call analytics, voicemail, anonymous call rejection, and voice-to-text transcription.
Disadvantage #1: Lack Of Emergency Call Service
One major disadvantage of having a VoIP system is that they do not always support emergency call services. Since VoIP is flexible, it is not traceable to any one geographic location. To enable emergency calls on VoIP, the provider must have E911 or enhanced 911. E911 customers set a physical address to which calls would ping when the VoIP users dial 911 on their phone.
Disadvantage #2: Internet dependence
Another drawback to using VoIP is that it is entirely dependent on the internet. The company must have a robust and reliable internet connection that ensures speedy exchanges of information and decent sound quality. The connection should also be strong enough to help the company avoid dropped calls.
What Are The Pros And Cons Of Using Landline Services?
Invented in 1876, the landline phone system works by sending signals through physical switch boxes linked through copper wires. The network connects one phone to another, making them just as reliable as VoIP phone systems, albeit differently. However, maintaining and repairing a landline connection can be time-consuming and complicated.
Advantage #1: Reliability
Since landline connections use wires, you know that they will not spontaneously drop, which is vital for maintaining customer relationships and business productivity. When bad weather strikes, technicians can more quickly fix phone lines than the internet, which reduces downtime for the company.
Advantage #2: Consistent Quality
Landline phones provide significantly better sound and call quality in certain areas and cities, especially ones with poor or unreliable internet service. You reduce the number of dropped calls if you have a landline system in areas like these.
Disadvantage #1: More Businesses Are Digital
The world is slowly moving away from analog systems. VoIP allows you to make calls from anywhere in the world at any time of the day, which is valuable for businesses that want to engage with clients or customers in different time zones. If you use a landline system, you will not be able to do that, limiting your capacity for growth.
Disadvantage #2: More Expensive
It costs more to maintain landlines than VoIP phone systems. If you add features like call waiting, caller ID, and voicemail, it means you must pay additional charges and taxes. In contrast, VoIP systems provide all of these for free.
Disadvantage #3: You Must Deal With Spam Calls
Landline systems are more susceptible to spam calls. Though it is technically illegal for telemarketers to contact individuals through mobile phones, there are no regulations for landlines.
Conclusion
Using a VoIP system enables you to access audiences, clients, and customers from a different time zone or geographical location from yours. Meanwhile, landlines provide you with stability and consistency, especially in areas where the internet is unreliable. When choosing a telephony solution for your business, you should go for the one that best addresses your needs.
Keep yourself connected with your network and partner with Improcom. We are a VoIP solutions provider in Brooklyn, NY, enabling small and medium businesses to nurture links with their customers and clients. Contact us for your free quote today!