A few decades ago, landlines were available in the vast majority of homes in the United States. The same cannot be said today, as the ailing landline industry has been steadily declining over the past decade. It might seem as though smartphones are the obvious answer when pondering exactly what triggered this decline, however, Voice-over-Internet-Protocol (VoIP) communications devices actually compete more closely with landlines when it comes to features and demographics.
Which communication option is right for the needs of your business? Here’s information your business should keep in mind when making a decision.
VoIP
The most obvious benefit of VoIP is perhaps its cost. It is less expensive, both to set up and to maintain than landlines. It is also typically cheaper to make long-distance calls. Another major benefit is its ability to tie into modern, daily conveniences and adapt to the needs of the user. You can use VoIP to make calls as you would using a landline phone, of course, but you can also use it to conduct video conferences and share documents, agendas, files, and schedules with ease. Because you can take your device with you wherever you go (converts look like USB sticks and you can use them on almost any computer) you will have this functionality whether you are at work or at home.
With all of that said, there are some drawbacks. Because the technology depends upon an active internet connection, for example, VoIP will not function during situations that knock out internet service. This includes emergency situations, and it should also be noted that not all VoIP providers offer 911 emergency calls as part of their packages. Likewise, if your internet experiences a slowdown, your service quality can suffer. VoIP can also sometimes lack in Quality of Service (QoS) when it comes to voice quality. This is not true of all providers or all devices, however, and it is important to do your research before buying.
Landlines
Landlines can sometimes offer better sound quality than VoIP, which might be important depending upon your specific needs. Landlines also won’t go down with your internet connection, which means that you can use them in situations where VoIP would fail to function.
The main drawbacks of landlines would have to be the cost and the inflexibility of the dated system. Landlines can be expensive to utilize and the technology also isn’t seeing the kind of updates and innovation that VoIP offers.
Should Your Business Make the Switch to VoIP?
If your business needs an option that offers modern convenience with a familiar system, then VoIP might be the best option for your needs. If your business needs rock-solid reliability that remains even if your internet is out, then landlines are probably the better option.
GeoTel is the leading provider of telecommunications infrastructure data, including carrier fiber route data, in a geographic information system (GIS). For over sixteen years, GeoTel’s data sets have been providing companies and government entities with the leverage and insight necessary to make intelligent, location-based business decisions. For more information or for a demo, please contact our experts at (407) 788-8888.
