How long have you had your own personal mobile phone? Did you start with one in the ’80s when the technology was dawning and the phones were big and clunky? Even if you waited until the phones were smaller, you’re probably talking at least a decade that you’ve had a mobile. While technology has evolved, the reasons people have mobile phones has expanded. First, most people had them for business. They were wildly expensive and you either needed to be a business mogul or be able to write the cost of such off your taxes to be able to afford one. Now, the cost is more manageable for most people and still used widely for business. The phones themselves often aren’t the issue. It’s the phone service.

What is VoIP?

If you live in a place where wireless internet connections are readily available, you may want to consider something called Voice over Internet Protocol as a service for your phones. VoIP is a way of circumventing the major mobile carriers and still getting your connections made. It uses the internet to transmit your calls back and forth. Traditional landline phones require an adapter. Smart phones require a special app to complete the calls. You can also use your computer to make calls using VoIP.

Drawbacks and Benefits

The biggest limit to VoIP is the strength of the internet connection you use. This may not be the best option for rural phone customers unless they plan on using their phones solely in conjunction with stable modem connections. The benefits, however, form a longer list. The big one is price. The calls cost less because you aren’t paying for the network to carry your calls as they’re completed using the internet. The rest of the list is all about the features. Expanded service, customizable and versatile multi-tasking options and effective conference and client-response capabilities are all options with this type of phone service.  

Doing your homework and learning about different technologies may save some money and bring new options for your business.