Whilst internet speed is important, there are a variety of other contributing factors than can affect the quality of your VoIP calls. VoIP call quality isn’t all about internet speed It’s important to remember that when you take a speed checker test, it will create a snapshot of your current bandwidth – the results may be different at a busier time. If you’re thinking of upgrading to a VoIP phone system but are unsure whether your current broadband connection is sufficient, you can either reach out to your ISP directly or use an online speed checker. This means that businesses are often in the dark when it comes to their internet’s exact speed and capability. ISPs (Internet Service Provider) commonly advertise broadband packages as offering up to a certain speed, rather than the exact figure. Neglecting to do so may impact the quality of your calls. When checking your internet speed, be sure to examine both upload and download. ISPs often prioritise download speeds, as most internet users are more frequently downloading rather than uploading data. The recommended minimum bandwidth needed to make VoIP calls is for both upload and download speeds. The speeds identified above are the minimum suggested solely for VoIP use – you will need increased bandwidth in order to ensure phone usage does not impact other fragments of your business.
However, don’t forget that your business and its employees will use the internet for things other than making VoIP calls. For example, if you have 10 VoIP handsets in use, you will require around 1Mbps of bandwidth. To achieve a voice call of sufficient quality, a minimum internet speed of 90 – 100 kbps (kilobits per second) is required. VoIP bandwidth requirementsĪs a phone solution that relies on an internet connection, the quality and speed of your office broadband will need to be considered when making the switch to VoIP.
Low quality phone calls may leave your company looking unprofessional, as well as damage productivity. However, despite the numerous advantages to switching to a VoIP phone solution, if your internet is not fast or reliable enough, the quality of your calls may suffer. Future proofing your business ahead of the proposed PSTN switch off.Reduced costs, as the need for two separate phone and broadband contracts is mitigated.Remote functionality, allowing employees to take calls whilst away from their desk.VoIP phone systems provide a multitude of benefits for both small and large businesses.
Often referred to as cloud-based telephony, VoIP calls are routed in an off-premises secure router, as opposed to in local hardware based on your premises. VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) is a solution that enable voice calls to be transferred over the internet, rather than the traditional telephone exchange network. However, whilst transferring your phone lines over to a VoIP set-up is relatively straightforward, there are a few key pieces of criteria that you must check before making the switch – including your internet speed, also known as bandwidth. Across the country, more and more businesses are tapping into the power of VoIP to revolutionise their office phone system.