What Is VoIP? The Newbie’s Guide to Voice over IP

Heard about VoIP and want to see if it’s the right solution for your business?



This popular business phone service is the modern way to make phone calls, especially for small to medium businesses wanting to communicate more efficiently.



If you’re exploring making calls without a physical landline, this blog post details what VoIP is, how it works, and how you can find the best VoIP provider.




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What Is VoIP?



VoIP is a communications technology that enables you to make phone calls using your broadband connection instead of landline service. VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol, which is an open standard for establishing calls through the Internet. Some may also refer to VoIP as Voice over IP.



A typical setup involves a router for the internet with a handset connected. The handset or business phone system uses the internet to transmit your speech like a physical landline would. The only difference is that the underlying technology isn’t a landline but the Internet.



Phone providers use VoIP to power their telephone services for customers instead of having them install and maintain physical phone lines and equipment. VoIP helps make and receive high-quality calls and offers advanced features not usually available on landline service.









How Does VoIP Work?



VoIP converts your voice into a digital format, compresses it, and sends it over the internet. The VoIP service provider (like your internet service provider) sets up the call.






For phone calls, the conversation is exchanged using small data packets. The internet can send these data packets around the world in less than a second. For internet telephony, these packets travel between your phone and a VoIP provider.



Voice over Internet Protocol bypasses the telephone company entirely. Wherever you have a broadband internet connection like DSL, cable, or fiber, you can use VoIP. It’s a major upgrade from an analog phone system.



Here are some basic steps involved:




Your phone connects to your switch or router in your Local Area Network (LAN).



When you dial a telephone number , your IP phone tells your VoIP service provider to call the other party.



Your VoIP service establishes the call and exchanges data packets from your IP phone.



Your VoIP phone converts these digital signals into the sound you can hear.




More than two decades ago, you used to need expensive, proprietary equipment to use VoIP. Today, VoIP is built upon open standards such as Session Initiation Protocol ( SIP ). SIP provides complete interoperability between desk phones, conference phones, and VoIP apps.









What Is the Difference Between VoIP and Landline Phones?



VoIP technology enables high-quality voice calls over the Internet, whereas landline phones rely on a copper  telephone network  to make outbound calls and receive incoming calls.



When you deploy VoIP, it gets managed via the cloud, so there’s no need for on-site installation or management. When you need to add or change users, it’s a software change rather than the need to call an engineer.



Businesses prefer VoIP because of its better calling standard and wider range of features without the need for setting up an expensive on-premises private branch exchange (PBX).









Here are some key differences when comparing  VoIP vs. landline :



Functionality VoIP Landlines Phone calls (PSTN) Yes Yes Nationwide long-distance Included Optional User-to-user calls Yes PBX required Caller ID Yes Yes Call Waiting Yes Yes Ease of setup ★★★★★ ★★★ Requires internet Yes, 100 Kbps per line No Wireless Wi-Fi , DECT, and Bluetooth headsets are available DECT and Bluetooth headsets are available Reliability during internet/ power outages Calls can be routed to another number or voicemail. Calls drop or are routed to voicemail. Technology IP telephony (SIP, TLS, and SRTP) Analog voice signals Call quality ★★★★★ ★★★★ Setup cost $0 $110 per jack Monthly cost $20–35 $35 Advanced features Auto attendant Included PBX required Phone number privacy Included Varies Phone number changes Included $27 Phone extensions & hunt groups Included PBX required Conferencing Included Three-Way Calling Call routi n g Included $9.95/mo Call queuing Add-on Add-on Remote work capable Yes, softphone apps Call forwarding Call encryption Yes (TLS & SRTP) No International dialing MX: $0.16/min UK: $0.01/min JP: $0.05/min MX: $1.97/min UK: $1.21/min JP: $1.62/min Business voicemail Included $13.95/mo Integrations (CRM, text messaging, surveys) Yes No Sources: VoIP information based on Nextiva’s business phone plans. Analog information is based on business rates published in ILEC tariffs for Arizona.



Consider switching from traditional phones to VoIP if:




Your country plans to  discontinue landline phones



Your sound quality is poor



You need advanced features



Your on-site PBX contract is expiring



You’re moving to remote or hybrid work



You’re paying too much for external calls



You’re paying too much for long-distance  international calls
















Related Article
VoIP vs. Landlines: Which Phone System Is Right for Businesses?

















What equipment do you need to set up VoIP? 



For a small setup, you only need a subscription to your  business VoIP provider  and a device to make calls to get set up for the first time. This device could be a desk phone, a softphone on your laptop, or a VoIP app on your mobile phone.



Assuming you already have a broadband connection and a router, you don’t need any other VoIP equipment. 



If you manage VoIP for your enterprise , you may opt to use a separate firewall or switch from your router. If you have analog phones or other devices you wish to retain, use an analog telephone adapter ( ATA ). These small adapters connect your VoIP solution to traditional telephone services and devices, such as old fax machines and alarm systems.









Advantages of VoIP







Lower pricing  – Reduces call costs with internal and internet calling by up to  50% ; reduces on-site maintenance and repair costs, too. 



High-quality sound  – Internet connectivity enables HD call quality; management tools check for potential network issues.



Advanced features  – Offers premium features like auto attendants,  call recording , and call queues – without having businesses install expensive add-ons.



Cheap international calls  – International long-distance rates are as low as $0.04 per minute to call Mexico or $0.01 to reach the United Kingdom.



Fast deployment  – Only takes an internet connection and a softphone or handset to set up.



Remote-friendly – Use your phone service wherever you work. No technical setup is necessary if you work from home.




VoIP desk phones aren’t expensive; you can even get them free from your phone service provider. Plus, they often include a mobile app you can use on your desktop or mobile device to make calls instead of using a traditional handset. 



Disadvantages of VoIP



The only real downside of using VoIP instead of a traditional phone system is that you rely on your internet connection for call quality. Make sure to audit your internet connection before you move to VoIP. 



If you have a high-speed broadband connection, you should be fine. But it’s always best to check. 



The best way to check your network speed and stability is to perform a VoIP quality test . It’s a reliable and accurate way of testing your network’s capacity and expected call quality. It checks for potential issues with:




Latency



Bandwidth 



SIP ALG issues







Packet Loss



Jitter




Any of these could impact voice quality, so it’s best to check and troubleshoot your network early on in the VoIP setup process.



When you weigh the pros and cons, it’s a clear win for VoIP. As long as your internet connection is stable, you open the door to cost savings and a wealth of new features.



Best VoIP Phone System Features



What are the attractive features available with a cloud-based business phone system ? Here are the most popular VoIP features that businesses will enjoy using.






1) Auto attendant



An auto attendant allows you to configure the options callers hear when they dial your business.



For example:




Press option 1 for sales



Press 2 for support



For anything else, press 3




You can choose to route calls to specific departments or people best suited for a specific type of query. Because you can configure all VoIP components via a web browser, you can change them as often as you like, and no site visits are required.



2) Mobile and desktop apps



Mobile and de sktop apps enable you to use your VoIP phone service without a VoIP handset.



VoIP apps are ideal for salespeople and technicians who work on the go, as well as remote workers who frequent coffee shops and co-working spaces. These apps ensure everyone in your company is reachable, no matter where they are.



Some also prefer headsets or mobile devices, so a handset is rarely used. When rolling out VoIP, check who needs a physical handset to see if you can save money upfront.



3) HD call quality



Thanks to codecs designed for high quality, every VoIP call over a stable internet connection benefits from HD call quality. You have crystal-clear conversations with colleagues and customers. At the same time, you’re seen as a reputable business that focuses on offering quality customer communication experience.



4) Unified communications



Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) combines various communication methods, such as instant messaging, calls, and video conferencing, into a single platform. With features like call recording, reporting, and voicemail, Unified Communications is the next step up from VoIP. 



Switching to VoIP opens up doors to improving your internal collaboration. If you plan on making video calls instead of regular phone calls in the future or like the idea of ​​instant messages, VoIP is a great first step.



5) Call encryption and VoIP security



The internet is prone to security flaws. Any call made over the internet needs to be secure. Using VoIP means everything is encrypted in transit and at rest. No one has access to your conversations, only the metadata.



For example, you call a colleague in your office in Arizona. Call logs show the timestamp and duration of the call, but the content isn’t visible.















Related Article
VoIP Hacking: How It Works & How to Protect Your VoIP Phone

















6) Call recording



VoIP goes a step further and lets you record calls in case you want your content monitored for quality or regulatory purposes. It offers basic call recording options, where calls are saved in a cloud-based portal, ready for download later. 



You can also opt for advanced call recording, including features like sentiment analysis to flag unhappy customers or create upselling opportunities.



See also:  Provide a Better Experience with Customer Journey and Sentiment



How Much Does VoIP Cost?



VoIP is surprisingly inexpensive when you consider all its capabilities. Arguably, it’s one of the biggest advantages over traditional phone lines.



The short answer is that you can expect to pay approximately $35 per user per month for VoIP . The cost savings are quite dramatic compared to a traditional phone system or on-premises PBX .







To give you an idea, here’s how much VoIP typically costs:




Initial costs: $0-$50 per line



Monthly costs: $19-$45 per line



Device costs: $80-$600 per IP phone



International calls: $0.01+ per minute



Taxes and fees: Varies based on your city, county, and state




Traditional phone systems have hidden costs you might not expect:




Installation fees: $50-100 per drop



Deposit: $100-$500



Maintenance contract: $1000+ annually



International calls: $1.00+ per minute



Credit check: Soft or hard pull




All this is to say that we strongly recommend you obtain a free quote to confirm the exact VoIP pricing .



How to Choose a VoIP provider



While most providers have a good handle on the basics of VoIP, it’s worth choosing a VoIP provider that best suits your needs. 



If you’re a small business that just needs to convert your business phones to VoIP without any special capabilities, you need someone specializing in small business VoIP.



Choose a provider that ticks the right boxes, including:




Implementation experience – Offers comprehensive support needed to configure advanced features like auto attendants and call queues, deploy physical handsets, conduct user training, and guide you on the optional hardware or software you need. 



Network compatibility –   Compatible with your existing network or customizable to fit your network needs.



Clients in a similar industry – Has helped similar companies like yours and holds proven success stories.



World-class customer support –   Provides round-the-clock or at least swift customer service, particularly for number porting, on-site setup, and ongoing support.



High availability and security – Has proven reliability with minimal downtime – like Nextiva, providing 99.999% uptime with 24/7 monitoring. Every Nextiva data center meets the security standards set by the ISO/IEC 27001 certification.